I assured her, however, that our family would feel relieved to know that we were in safety and could come back fresh and strong after the war to help in rebuilding the country.
Having gained her consent, I still had the difficult problem of ways and means before me.

The Chester had orders to take citizens of neutral countries only.

Passports had to be examined by the Turkish authorities and by the American Consul-General, who gave the final permission to board the cruiser.

How was I to pass this double scrutiny?
After long and arduous search, with the assistance of several good friends, I at last discovered a man who was willing to sell me the passports of a young couple belonging to a neutral nation.

I cannot go into particulars about this arrangement, of course.