The Raymer enterprise., 1911-12-07

Ga suit Of my mission to
~ South America, which had
saved the flagship Of the American
squadron from destruction. ! had the
selr.depreciation to acknowledge that
this event was purely the result OF
chance. and not due to any ability OF
mine: but Lord Lansdowne waved
aside my explanations.
MY dear Adams" he said. please
remember from now on that kings
courier is judged by the success or
failure OF his mlssion-not by his
deserts. Results are all that are de-
sired, and It makes no particle OF dlf.
ference how you obtain them"
had begun to think that my POSI-
iiou was. to be more or less a sinecure,
when oae morning my servant Talbot
ushered a little page boy. youthful
scion OF one of our noblest families.
into my lodgings at Half Moon street,
Piccadilly.
Are you Captain Adamth. thir?" he
lisped, with the b!ase insolence OF
IL or 10 summers.
AT your service" replied, bow.
ing.
"Hith majethty dethIreth your
prethenth Immediately at Tht. Jameth
paiath." said the page. clicking his
heels aRd retiring with military sa-
1ute.
wasted no time. but hurriedly
changing into my frock coat. ran
down the stairs. polishing my silk hat
upon my sleeve as | went. | reached
the front door in time to see the page
riding of In his automobile. hailed
n taxicab and drove to the palace. My
arrival was expected. and was imme-
dlately shown into small room.
where | saw an elderly gentleman,
dressed In the conventional attire OF
Il London clubman. bending over file
OF newspapers. 1t was his majesty
He turned round the moment that
entered. came up. and shook hands
WIN "S No'uihiiys ~ 'uc oamc 'ihic
motIoning to me to be seated. Then.
drawing up his own chair close to
mine. he began speaking with evident
anxiety.
Captain Adams" he said. 81 was
the first to regret the unfortunate ter.
mInatiOn OF your career In the dlplo-
matte service, and was also the first
to suggest to Lord Lansdowne that
your abilities should be employed In
the less legitimate but unquestionably
,nOre useful field have not forgot.
ten your deeds Of courage In the AZ.
CHAN campaign OF 1897. and. with your
diplomatic training, you should be one
OF my most useful aides. But now to
come to the point
'As you know. the kaiser has Just
returned to Germany after a trip to
Morocco. and after making a bellicose
speech there which has astonished Eu.
rope. All the nations are ranged up
Tor diplomatic conflict. namely.
whether or not the kaiser shall be
compelled TO submit his claims
against France to an International
tribunal.
Unfortunately. I have information
that the kaiser considers that. with
Russia weak and exhausted after her
war with Japan. and unable to help
France effectively. the moment has
arrived to crush his old enemy, hum.
BILE the republic so that she will never
rise again. exact tremendous indem.
nifty. and annex the northern prov.
inces. need hardly tell you that
Great Britain cannot see France con.
quered by Germany. for this would
mean that the kaiser would be the
dominant figure In the worlds politics.
II have positive Information that II
IL his intention to make a public and
theatrical declaration OF war against
France from the balcony OF his palace
at I'ptsdam. within three or four days
Arraying himself In the uniform OF
Frederick the Great, brandishlng his
sword and wearing the eagle helmet
he will by this theatrical appeal
sweep the whole nation with him. Al
all costs this must be prevented.
you will proceed to Potsdam, then
without delay. and demand an immedi
ate interview with the kaiser. In my
name you will insist that he abandon
this project. But, II he refuse. as ht
probably will. then you will hand hin
this private communication which
now place In your hands. stating tha
any. such action against the French
will result In immediate war with
England
His majesty rose. indicating tina
the interview was at an end. and with
few appreciative words. and instruc
tions that / should not delay, dis
missed me. I went out Of the palac,
n victim Of conflicting emotions. Prld,
was dominant. pride at having beef
selected for so important duty-on,
no less than that Of preserving tn,
peace OF Europe. but with II wal
mingled, almost as strongly. the fea
OF responsibility. the dread that hat
been given a task harder than coul'
perform. For my success virtual!