It was during this tedious train journey that he related the experiences of the passengers upon the unfortunate steamer Krimhilde.  Many of the Englishmen who happened to be upon this boat had been held up for a week in various towns, owing to the stress of mobilisation.  But at last permission was given by the authorities to proceed, and the delayed travellers were assured of an uninterrupted journey to England.  Unfortunately the passage down the Rhine was impeded by fog, and this delay proved fatal.  When it was possible to resume the journey, and while the steamer was making a good pace, a river patrol boat dashed up and ordered the captain of the steamer to stop, the reason being that no intimation had been received of the vessel’s coming.

The captain protested, but at the point of the revolver he was compelled to turn round and return to the place which he had left only a few hours previously.  The re-arrival of the Krimhilde at this point aroused considerable interest, and the authorities demanded the reason.  The captain explained, but receiving a re-assurance that everything was in order and as originally expressed, he was free to travel down the river.

Again the journey was attempted and all went well until the boat was approaching Wesel.  Then another patrol boat fussed up, the officer of which boarded the steamer.  Again the captain presented his permit and expressed his determination to go ahead.

“We don’t know anything about that,” returned the boarding officer, referring to the permit.  “My orders are to stop every vessel carrying Englishmen!”

The boarding-officer turned and ordered all the male prisoners to separate themselves from the ladies.  Passports were produced upon demand and closely scrutinised.  Then the officer, stepping back a few paces, beckoned the nearest man.  His name was demanded to identify the passport and then a brief hurried cross-examination proceeded, culminating in the question: 

“How old are you?”

“Thirty-eight!”

“Step this side!” retorted the officer, who proceeded to examine the succeeding passenger, to whom the self-same questions were repeated, the final interrogation being the passenger’s age.

“Fifty-seven!” came the response.

The officer scanned the passport and finding the answer to be correct remarked, “Step over there!” indicating his left.

By the time the officer had completed his interrogations the male passengers were divided into two groups.  Meanwhile the women and children had gathered round, following the proceedings, which appeared inexplicable to them, with a strange silence and a fearful dread.

“All you men of military age,” continued the officer speaking to the group of younger-looking men, “are to go ashore.  You will be detained as prisoners of war.  You have ten minutes to pack your trunks and to say ‘Good-bye!’ So hurry up!”