At frequent intervals the emissary from the Embassy visited us.  He was invariably received graciously by Baron von Taube, whom we facetiously dubbed Baron von Facing-both-ways, and other members of his staff to form as escort through the camp.  The representative thus saw and heard exactly as much as the authorities determined should be the case and nothing more.  Whenever he was disposed to become uncomfortably inquisitive he was deftly steered clear of the troubled waters.  We were told that we were quite at liberty to speak to the Ambassador if we desired, but unofficially we were warned to think twice before we took such a step, the hint being thrown out that it would be better for us to refrain from talking to him unless first questioned.  The shallowness of the official decree was vividly brought home to us when we were forcibly confined to barracks, and this frequently occurred while the ambassadorial visitor was in the camp.

On one occasion complaints concerning the living quarters were made.  The representative came and explained the object of his mission to the Commanding Officer.  Ostensibly this worthy was overwhelmed with surprise at any such grievance having been formulated, although, as a matter of fact he knew full well why the representative had called, owing to the rule concerning all letters being posted unsealed.

The Commanding Officer protestingly laughed at the suggestion that the living quarters were untenable.  But there!  The representative could see for himself.  With every semblance of complete complaisance the representative was escorted into the camp.  With unassumed unconcern, but with deliberate intention, he was accompanied to Barracks 1 or 2, to see with his own eyes a typical illustration of the living quarters provided within the camp.

The situation was exceedingly ludicrous, although it was of considerable moment to us who had lodged the complaint.  The representative could not have been taken to more convenient buildings from the German point of view.  They are the show-barracks of Ruhleben, and certainly are excellent specimens of the prisoners’ quarters.  They indubitably served as a powerful illustration of how prisoners could make themselves comfortable.  They were held up far and wide throughout Ruhleben as a pattern for all others to copy.  One and all of us would willingly have emulated this attractive model—­if we had possessed the money to spend upon luxuries! Barrack No. 2 is the domicile of the elite and wealthy of Ruhleben.  The prisoners, flush of funds, have been permitted to gratify every whim and fancy.  They have expended large sums of money upon the purchase of furniture and knick-knacks, the result being favourably comparable with a smart and fashionable flat, that is if a flat can be squeezed into a horse-box ten feet square!

The representative was solemnly assured that these barracks were only typical of the other buildings in the camp.  But had the American visitor walked a few dozen yards upon his own initiative, to enter Barrack 3 or 5, he would have received a convincing demonstration of unprincipled German lying.  There the inmates were compelled, willy-nilly, to lie upon the floor.  At that time beds had not been served to more than one-half of the prisoners.