Our next step was to see this wonderful illuminant for night work,
and in the course of our wandering's we came across a large fort from
which searchlights had been showing the previous night. There were
notice boards round this fort at a distance of about twenty yards
apart stating that nobody was allowed within this circle of notices,
and we argued that if once we were inside any sentry or detective
would naturally suppose we had leave to be there.
We tried the idea, and it worked splendidly. We walked calmly through
camps and past sentries without a tremor and not a question was asked
us. Once within this line we were able to get directly into the fort,
and there we strolled along as if the place belonged to us.
There is a certain amount of art required in making yourself not
appear to be a stranger in a new place.
In the minor matter of hat, boots, and necktie it is well to
wear those bought in the country you are visiting, otherwise your
British-made articles are sure to attract the attention of a watchful
policeman.
In the matter of demeanour you behave as a native would do who was
accustomed to being there.
Walking into a strange fort must be carried out much on the same lines
as you would adopt in entering a strange town, only more so. You walk
as if with a set purpose to get to a certain part of it, as though
you knew the way perfectly, and without showing any kind of interest
in what is around you. If you pass an officer or dignitary whom you
see everybody saluting, salute him too, so that you do not appear
singular. When you want to observe any special feature you loaf about
reading a newspaper or, if in a town, by looking at all you want to
see as reflected in a shop window.
The penalty for spying in this country was five years without the
option of a fine, or even of a trial.
Having walked in like this, and having successfully walked out
again--which is quite another matter--we felt elated with our success
and hung about till nightfall and tried it again after dark. This was
no easy job, as the place was surrounded by outposts very much on the
_qui vive_ for an enemy that was to make a manoeuvre attack during the
night. By keeping to leeward of the general position one was able to
quietly creep along, sniffing the breeze, until one could judge where
there was an outpost and where there was open ground, and in this
manner, smelling our way as we went, we were able to creep through
between the outposts and so gained the fort.