For nearly half an hour I argued with the police officer whose
intention it was to take me under arrest to Helsingfors. Once
there, however, I knew too well that my liberty would be probably
gone for ever. Whatever was the Baron's motive in holding the poor
girl a prisoner, it would also be his motive to silence me. I knew
too much for his liking.
"I refuse to go to Helsingfors," I said defiantly. "I am a
British subject, and demand to be taken back to the port where my
passport was viséd." This argument I repeated time after time,
until at length I succeeded in convincing him that I really had a
right to be taken to Abo, and to seek the aid of the British
Vice-Consul if necessary.
For as long as possible I succeeded in delaying our departure,
but at length, just as the yellow
