ork on wounds, but
permission to accept had been denied me. Being a British subject and
wearing a British decoration on an American uniform only seemed to
worry the authorities. I had almost abandoned hope, when one day an
automobile stopped at our headquarters, just at the close of my term
of service, and a colonel, a distinguished scientist, jumped out. He
told me if I could get to Medical Headquarters, then at St. Omer, he
could arrange for me to visit each of the four armies I wished to see.
I had no permission to leave the base, though my term of service
expired the next day. I had no passes, and our British commandant
would not on his own responsibility either give me leave or lend me
the necessary outfit. He would only agree to look the other way if I
went.

Passing the sentries was not difficult, but once arrived in St. Omer,
it was essential to have permission from Headquarters before one could
enter any house or hotel. I was accordingly dumped in the dark streets
of a strange town and told to be at that exact spot again in two
hours, waiting my sponsor's return. Nor did he say where he was going,
in case we failed to meet, for no one was allowed to mention the
whereabouts of the G.H.Q. After two hours were over, I was at the
appointed spot with that pleasurable sense of excitement that seldom
comes after one has settled down in life. I could then understand
better how a spy must feel. The town naturally was unlit for fear of
aircraft, and yet there was a queer feeling that every one was looking
at you as you walked up and down in the dark. My colonel friend was at
the rendezvous with all the precision of a soldier, not only with the
necessary papers and arrangements for the tour of inspection, but also
a genial invitation to dine at Headquarters. General Sir Arthur
Sloggett and his exceedingly able staff opened my eyes very
considerably before the evening was out as to the methods of the
R.A.M.C. in war-time. It was such a revelation to me that I felt it
would be an infinite comfort to those with loved ones in the trenches
to realize how marvellously efficient the provision for the care of
the soldier's health had become. The main impression on my mind was
the extraordinary developments since the days of the Lady of the Lamp.
Formerly, so long as he was fit to fight, the soldier was always
looked after. Now the soldier unfit to fight had exactly the same
rights, just as after the war let us trust that the bro