The Minneapolis journal., 1905-08-23

write out and sign circumstantial ac-
count OF your own part in this clumsy ;
plot, and [ will undertake that you
shall not pass tonight in prison.
The, Russian had the sense to do
what he was told without further par
ley. | got from him more than I ex-
pected. He consented to put in writing
that it was after his betrothal to Frau
lein Zeiss that he had been solicited to
make use Of his connection with the
kaiser's private telegraphist, and he
stated the amount of the bribe, very
sending the imperial congratulations to
the president Of the Transvaal. We be-
came so friendly over the discussion
that Severinski, who was bursting with
vanity over his success, wanted me at
last to let him tell me too much. I
was Obliged to order him to be silent
If you tell me that you are an agent
Of certain great power, I must repeat
what you say to the kaiser. Then one
Of two things will happen. Either your
government will avow your action, in
which case you will be hanged as a spy,
or it will disavow you, in which case
you will pass the rest Of your y' life in
This menace had all the effect which
I could have desired and I was satis--
fed that the Russian would now hold
his tongue.
Bidding him a cordial farewel-for
I confess the fellows audacity had in.
spired me with some admiration
hastened back to the palace, to lay
Wilhelm II.
"Your majesty has been victimized
by secret agent whose employers are
interested in bringing about a feeling
of ill-wil if not an actual war, be-
tween Germany and Great Britain. The
day before yesterday this agent, whose
D6@sa is fo fsgeS Ra5s and VIZ i EN-
started-1' in the Berlin military. col
lege, visited your private telegraphist
| in the room at the end Of this corridor.
He had previously contr1ved that the
| telegraphist should be called away dur
ing his visit, and he took advantage
Of this absence to to ,nS send +theb1n the message
The kaiser made no reply until he
had finished reading the proofs l laid
| before him.
| sFAnd, you did not ask this Sever
inski by whom he was set onS'. de-
manded his majesty, giving me keen
@'NI did not know whether you would
wish me to do so,' answered respect
"You were right, a Thousand times
right, - exclaimed the emperor. " AS long
as they are in doubt whether ] know it
is they who have played me this trick,
l have the advantage of them. and
they will keep silence for their own
sakes.' He paused in deep considera-
tion for minute, then he looked up
quickly. "All this time must not for
get the English. Tell me, Monsieur
T| 1,ord ss';sh1yyT,8 are yop, personally known to
~ have that honor, sire. On one oc-
"Enough. There is not a moment to
i lose. You will leave Berlin by the
first train, and proceed straight to the
ambassador s house in London. He will
take you round to the prime minister,
and you will offer him the proofs which
you have just offered me, explaining at
the same time that the excited state of
public feeling in both countries makes
it impossible for me to take any open
action in the matter.'
I bowed and moved towards the door.
"I will wire to the ambassador to ex-
pect you,' called out the kaiser.
"Pardon me, your majesty has done so
already.'
HHowq'
~ also passed five minutes alone in
the room of Herr Zeiss,' I explained.
i In the years which have elapsed since
this celebrated episode, Wilhelm H. has
left no means untried to convince the
British people Of his friendly sentiments
towards them. It is as service to his
imperial majesty, tho without authority
from him, that I now venture to lift
the veil from the most astounding trans
action in the annals of even Muscovite
diplomacy.