The code
contained such phrases as this:
"Current rumors." "Incoming." "Outgoing." "Clearing for action."
"Have lowered defending nets." "Land fortifications are manned."
"Protective maneuvers are being carried out at sea." "Coal being
carried by rail." "Remarkable influx of Reservists." "Mine flelds
being laid." "All is quiet; nothing important to report." "Liners
are appearing."
The accidental finding of this code of course settled all further
argument. I called no witness for the defense except two or three
personal acquaintances to each of whom I put this question:
"What is your knowledge of my attitude as regards England?"
They all declared that even if I was a spy in the pay of any foreign
government I certainly had never shown any personal feeling or
animosity toward Great Britain.
All of which I figured might aid the cause of clemency. The jury was
not out more than half an hour. I was found guilty of endangering the
safeguards of the British Empire and under the new law that had been
aimed against German spies I was liable to seven years' penal
servitude. Even then my spirits were not down. I had what Americans
call "a hunch."
Just before his Lordship, the Chief Justice, summed up, an
aristocratic, gray-clad Englishman, who never had been in the court
room before, appeared and was courteously, almost impressively,
conducted to the bench.
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