Nevertheless, Crawford's fears were realised.

Before the work was half finished a Danish Port Officer came on board, asked what the cargo comprised, and demanded to see the ship's papers.

According to the manifest the _Fanny_ was bound for Iceland with a general cargo, part of which was to be shipped at Bergen.

The Danish officer then spent half an hour examining the bales, and, although he did not open any of them, Crawford felt no doubt he knew perfectly the nature of their contents.

Finally he insisted on carrying off the papers, both of the _Fanny_ and the tug-boat, saying that all the information must be forwarded to Copenhagen to be dealt with by the Government authorities, but that the papers would be returned early next morning.
One can well believe Crawford when he says that he suffered "mental agony" that night.