Chapter II

My credentials—The War Zone—Italy’s preparedness—The Press
Censorship—General Elia’s advice—Disappointment—A pipe in the
Pincio—An inspiration—I leave for Venice—Venice in war time—The
lonely pigeons of the Place St. Marc—The Doge’s Palace—The
bronze horses—Interior of St. Marc, strange spectacle—First act
of war between Italy and Austria—Aeroplane bombs Venice—French
Aviators—Treasures of Venice—Everyday life in Venice during
daytime—After nightfall—On the _qui vive_—Extraordinary
precautions—Dangers of the streets—Spy fever—_Permis de séjour_—The
angry crowd—Defences against air attacks—Venice not a _place
forte_—Nearest point of the Front—The British Vice-Consul, Mr.
Beak—A good Samaritan—The letter of credentials—The Commandant of
Venice—More advice—New Rescript of the Generalissimo—Reference
to Correspondents—Decide attempt go to Udine—The language
difficulty—The waiter at the Hotel Danielli—His offer to
accompany me—Make arrangements at once—Introduced to Peppino
Garibaldi—Amusing incident 15

CHAPTER III:

From Venice to Udine—Reservists rejoining—Interesting crowd—Delays
en route—Endless procession of military trains—Drawn blinds—The
Red Cross train—Arrived Udine—Scene on platform—In search of an
hotel—A little incident—The well-dressed civilian—The obliging
guide—My suspicions—Awkward questions—The best hotel in Udine—A
little “Trattoria” close by—A cheap room—First impressions of
Udine—At the Police Office—The _permis de séjour_—The _Carabinieri_
and the local police—The fascination of the big guns—The
“Military Commandant of Udine”—A difficult proposition—The luck
of the undelivered letter—My guide has to leave me—I change my
quarters—The Hotel “Tower of London”—Alone in Udine—An awkward
predicament—A friend in need—Still more luck—Dr. Berthod—I am
offered a studio—I accept—The delight of having this studio in
Udine 25