Had the captain the power to protect me? It
was pitch dark. Only the station platform and
a row of soldiers were visible. We were shown
into a big examining room. The luggage came
first. That was quickly disposed of. My papers
hadn't yet been seen. But as I turned from
my baggage a soldier stepped up and took my
passport. It was covered with fat official Ger-
man seals. He was staggered. He hurried me
into the next room. At once I became ^^the
lady from Germany." For two hours I was
passed from official to official. Endlessly I re-
peated the story of my life. My legal training
was useful. I always told the same story. The

French soldiers, like the English qaptain,

250



THROUGH FRANCE AND ENGLAND

searched my mind. When they had finished I
was turned over to a woman. She condacted me
to a large closet and ordered me to undress. I
got as far as the first layer when the woman said
" that will do." The ordeaJ was over and I
boarded my train.
