When police searched the institute they found a letter from England which had been sent through the American Consul. If Edith Cavell was receiving letters this way, could she also send them? The fact that the American Consul had assisted in this way may explain why their ‘neutral’ appeals on her behalf were ignored.

While not spying herself, the soldiers that Edith helped escape were interrogated when they reached England, often providing the Allies with useful intelligence.