I shall not give the man's name for to do so would injure
him and quite unwillingly he gave me facilities for studying the naval
base and furnished me with scraps of information that I wanted to
know. For this he received no money and he was not a traitor to his
country. Through the little acquaintance I struck up with him, I was
able to make a thorough study of the bridge and its structure--a
strategic point, the bridge. Also, through the offices of my good
friend the keeper, I was introduced to some of his "pals" in the
waterguard. Because of my intimate knowledge of Robbie Burns, Walter
Scott, "inside" history of Prince Charlie, and--ahem!--Scottish
proclivity for a drop o' whisky, they accepted me as a half Scotchman.
From the waterguard I obtained more definite information regarding the
Rossyth base. So much for the topographical knowledge which could
only be obtained through personal contact with men who actually knew
every inch of the ground. The charts back in Berlin could not give me
that exact information. The higher scientific data of the
fortifications and the base, I obtained by social intercourse with
high placed officials--officers and engineers at Rossyth--whom I
entertained at various times.
The schooling I had received in the silhouettes presently came in
handy. One night my friend, the bridge tender, learned that the fleet
was getting up steam.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181