Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1911-12-22
Copyright, by w. G. Chapman.)


in the emperor's condition.
was shown upstairs into d mag
nlflcent salon, where / found the count
waiting to receive me. He was stand.
ing stiffly at attention, his heels to.
gether in military style, and, when
| entered, he saluted me. Then. see
ing that [ was in civilian clothes. he
looked at me inquiringly.
l had already decided upon my
course of action. I would tell Count
Llchtenstein frankly that l represent
ed his majesty of England, who had
heard disquieting rumors concerning
the emperor's health Of course |
had presented my special passport,
vised by Lord Lansdowne, the head
of the foreign Office, which insured
me reception.
Hardly had I stated the purpose of
my mission when / saw the count
start and change color. He looked
at me with penetrating gaze.
Ellis majesty appears-in his-nor-
mal-physical health" he said with
difficulty, gulping down the words.
Mental, my dear count, mental"
| rejoined. I saw the muscles of his
face tWitching and knew that I had
him at the confessional. "By the
way" I continued, approaching him,
where is his majesty?"
I'm damned if I know" the count
exploded. Then we looked at one an
other earnestly and both saw that the
time had arrived for frankness.
'Is it the emperor or is it some i'm
postor?" I asked
ut is not the emperor" the count
replied "The resemblance is almost
perfect. 1t would deceive anybody
who had not known his majesty so
intimately as I. Nevertheless, I know
that it is not the emperor. But how
can I denounce the man without lay
ing myself open to Imprisonment as
lunatic?"
"Tell me how and when the trans
formation occurred" 1 asked.
cit was about 10 days ago. I was
the minister in attendance for the
week at the royal palace. His maj
esty had gone to bed in his inner
apartment, which overlooks the street.
A guard was on duty in the outer
rooms. I was passing through to in
spect them before my departure when
we heard the emperor's bell rung. His
valet hurried in, came out, and an
nounced that his majesty desired to
h I'm
in his pajamas, sitting up in bed.
Count Lichtenstein, you have been in
my service for many years, have you
not?' he said. ! bowed. And you
would do any favor for me- I would
serve your majesty in any way pos
sible,' I answered. Then he replied,
be so good as to stand on your head,
my dear count, to relieve my ennui.' +"
what did you do?" queried.
81 stood on my head" replied the
count, a slow blush creeping up be-
meath his bearded cheek. "And then
I perceived that this was not my en-
peror. And ever since / have lived
in an agony of doubts, with no one to
whom to confide my suspicious"
.What of the prisoner in the for
tress?" I asked.
Count Lichtenstein choked. "You
have heard?" he cried.
I nodded, waiting. Suddenly Count
Lichtenstein grasped me by the arm
wildly.
"This man-this false emperor-or-
dered him to be placed in mask and
taken to the Turkish border fortress
Of Chodoyay," he said. "He thinks
his order has been obeyed. But /
have managed that he shall remain
in the prison here. The chief OF po-
lice is of my own following. But |
have not dared to see this man-th1s
so-called lunatic-for I know 1t is my
emperor"
He collapsed into a chair, painfully
agitated. 1t was with some difficulty
that 1 brought him to a more reason
able view of affairs, for he talked OF
suicide and of having betrayed the
honor and safety of his ruler. Finally
I induced him to secure me presen-
tation to the pseudo-emperor at the
leyee on the following day.
I had taken up my residence in a lit
tie. transformations house in respect
able. but not fashionable, quarter. ON
the following afternoon, arraying my
self in court dress, summoned car
riage and had myself conveyed to the
palace, where I found myself in the
midst of throng Of notables, all
pressing toward the throne room. AT
the door was jammed in the mob and
held immobile for several moments.
during which I witnessed a remark
able spectacle.
Before me, not IL feet away. stood
the impostor upon crimson carpet
under a canopy, surrounded by his
staff. all a-glitter with colors and or
ders. A gentleman in plain black had
lust bowed to him and turned to pass
ON. but the emperor Gas I must call
him) detained him. I had no DIM
Guilty in recognizing the features or
Mr.. Timothy Purroy. the American