It was a masterpiece of German cunning.  Whenever a visitor, animated by desires to ascertain how the prisoners were being treated, visited the camp he was piloted to the kitchen.  There could be seen an imposing array of chops sizzling and spitting gaily, and emitting an appetizing aroma.  Were prisoners of war ever treated so sumptuously as those at Ruhleben?  The visitor was gravely assured that the chops he saw represented but a portion of what were being prepared for the prisoners, in which statement the Germans were perfectly correct, but they artfully refrained from saying that only a certain number of men received the dainty dish each day, the idea being to convey the impression that this was merely the daily routine for the whole of the camp.

It did not matter when the American representative or any other visitor came into the camp—­chops were being cooked.  The visitors naturally concluded that we were being treated in a right royal manner, and one quite in accordance with the most noble traditions of the German nation.  It never occurred to these visitors, apparently, to make enquiries among the prisoners to ascertain how they enjoyed their daily meat meal?  Had they done so they would have been surprised.

The German explanations were so verbose and ostensibly so sincere as to be received without the slightest cavil.  Naturally our task-masters studiously declined to extend any enlightenment upon the matter, preferring to lull the visitors into a false haven of credibility.  Unfortunately we discovered that we had to pay indirectly for the delectable dainty and Teuton liberality—­the dinners upon the other days steadily grew worse in quantity, quality, and variety!

We all admire the unceasing efforts which the American Ambassador has, and still is exerting upon our behalf, and we are extremely thankful for the many and far-reaching improvements he has wrought.  His work is one of extreme difficulty, demanding unremitting patience, tact, and impartiality.  It must be remembered that he was submitted to an unceasing bombardment of complaints from 4,000 prisoners, overwrought from their incarceration, and ready to magnify the slightest inconvenience into a grievance.

Unfortunately his task is aggravated by the unprincipled lying, bluffing, and crafty tactics of the German authorities.  They have no more compunction in fooling the American Ambassador than they have in depriving the prisoners of sufficient food to keep body and soul together.  The task of Mr. Gerard in the immediate future is certain to become more perplexing, intricate, and delicate, but we hope that he will prove equal to the occasion.

* * * * *

Early in November, 1915, my arrangements for leaving Ruhleben were so far advanced that I could scarcely restrain my excitement.  On December 6 I disposed of my business.  It was of no further use to me.  The day for which I had been waiting so patiently and longingly had dawned at last and—­