My Adventures as a Spy by Robert Baden Powell

R >> Robert Baden Powell >> My Adventures as a Spy

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

He pointed out to me who were the detectives in the hotel staff, and
informed me that their duty was merely to watch me, to ascertain what
my moves were day by day, and to report them by telephone to the head
police office. He advised me before going out each day to inform the
hall porter, thereby letting the detectives overhear what were my
plans; they would then telephone to the police, who would have their
own detectives watching me while I was out.

THE ESCAPE.

Within a short time my brother rejoined me from the manoeuvre area,
but by doing so he at once came under observation and under suspicion,
and we were practically a pair of prisoners. So much was this the case
that a few days later we received a visit at daybreak one morning,
from a friend in power, who was also in touch with the police, and
he advised us that the best course we could take was to escape from
the country while it was possible, he undertaking quietly to make
arrangements for us. The idea was that we should slip away to a
seaport, where we could get on to a British steamer as two of the crew
and so pass out of the country.

That was the scheme. But the difficulty was how to play it off. A ship
was found whose captain was willing to receive us provided that we
could get to him without being observed. With the aid of our friendly
waiter, we let the detective at the hotel understand that we were
tired of being under suspicion, and that we were boldly going to take
the train and leave the country.

At ten o'clock a cab was to come round to take us and our luggage to
the station, and if anybody interfered with us--why, we were freeborn
British, and subject to no man's rule, and the Ambassador and all the
rest of the Powers should hear about it! This was for the information
of the detective, and he merely telephoned it to the police office at
the railway station, where we should be arrested at the point of our
departure.

We got into our cab and drove off down the street towards the station
until we were out of sight of the hotel. Then we called to our driver
and said we should like to go to a different station. This course
involved our going to the river-side and taking the ferry.

It was an anxious time. Had we been spotted? Should we be missed? Were
we being followed?

These questions would answer themselves as we progressed with our
plot. The answer, when it came, would mean a tremendous lot to
us--triumph or five years' imprisonment; so we had every right to be
fairly anxious. And yet, somehow, I don't think we were worrying much
about the consequences, but rather were busy with the present--as to
how to evade pursuit and recapture.

Arrived at the ferry we paid off our cabman and made our way to the
quay-side. Here we found a boat which had already been arranged for;
and we made our way safely off to the ship, which was waiting under
steam in midstream to start the moment we were on board.

At this supreme moment my brother had the temerity to argue with the
boatman over the fare. Being now in the last stage of tender-hooks, I
adjured him to give the man double what he asked, if only to be free.
But the brother was calm, and for once--he was right! His display of
want of all anxiety quite diverted any kind of suspicion that might
have attached to us, and in the end we got safely on board and away.

CONCLUSION.

Such are some of the minor experiences which, though not very
sensational in themselves, are yet part of the every-day work of
an "intelligence agent" (_alias_ a spy), and while they tend to
relieve such work of any suspicion of monotony, they add, as a rule,
that touch of romance and excitement to it which makes spying the
fascinating sport that it is.

When one recognises also that it may have invaluable results for one's
country in time of war, one feels that even though it is a time spent
largely in enjoyment, it is not by any means time thrown idly away;
and though the "agent," if caught, may "go under," unhonoured and
unsung, he knows in his heart of hearts that he has done as bravely
for his country as his comrade who falls in battle.

* * * * *

Books for War Time.

* * * * *

FIRST FROM THE FRONT. By HAROLD ASHTON. War Correspondent of
the _Daily News_. Crown 8vo. Cloth. Price 2/6 net. (Postage
4d. extra.)

"Gives vivid glimpses of the Western Campaign up to the time
when the battle of the Aisne drifted northwestward and became
the present battle on the frontier."--_Times_.

AN ENGLISHWOMAN'S ADVENTURES IN THE GERMAN LINES. By GLADYS
LLOYD. Crown 8vo. Paper Wrapper. With Portrait and Map. Price
1/- net. (Postage 3d. extra.)

"She describes in the simplest way her experiences in Belgium,
her talks with the villagers and the Uhlans; frightened, but
resolute to hide all show of fright, she stands up splendidly
to them and speaks her mind at the very muzzles of their
revolvers; but she never loses her courage, nor does she lose
her sense of humour."--_Athenaeum_.

THE SPECIAL CONSTABLE: His Duties and Privileges. Price
1/- net. (Postage 2d. extra.)

"The ideal handbook for Special Constables.... Here is a
modest shilling manual which exactly meets the occasion....
The book is heartily to be recommended."--_Police Review_.

LORD KITCHENER: The Story of his Life. By HORACE G. GROSER. New
Edition brought down to date. With Foreword by T.P. O'CONNOR,
M.P. Paper Wrapper, Price 1/- net. Cloth Boards, Price 1/6 net.

"A very telling, though quite popular and untechnical, story
of the life of this truly great man."--_Western Morning News_.

LORD ROBERTS: The Story of his Life. By ROY VICKERS.
8vo. Cloth. With Three-colour Portrait on Cover and Two Half-tone
Illustrations. Price 1/- net. (Postage 3d. extra)

"A thrilling tale of the adventures of the great Field-Marshal
... is well written and makes a suitable gift book."--_Daily
Call_.

ADMIRAL JELLICOE. By ARTHUR APPLIN. Crown 8vo. Cloth, with
Portrait in Three Colours on Cover, also Two Half-tone Illustrations.
Price 1/- net.

Mr. Applin has received considerable assistance from Lady
Jellicoe, who has kindly placed letters and other materials
at his disposal, and has read the MSS. before printing. The
volume may therefore be considered authoritative.

* * * * *

C. ARTHUR PEARSON, LTD.

HENRIETTA STREET, LONDON, W.C.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6