Evening star., 1911-10-20
room. Even from there I could hear loud
voices in the inner chamber and l knew
that something was up. Presently q lit


voices in the inner chamber and I knew
that something was up. Presently lit
tie fellow came out to me-a dark-beard-
ed chap with gold-rimmed glasses. He
was very polite. introduced himself as the
chancellor's physician. regretted exceed
ingly that the chancellor was unwell and
could see no one-the excitement and hard
work Of the last few days had knocked
him out. Well. I stood there arguing as
pleasantly as I could about 1t, and then
all of a sudden the door OF the inner
room was thrown open. The chancellor
himself stood on the threshold. There
was no doubt about his being i'll; his face
was as pale as parchment, his eyes were
simply wild, and his hair was all ruf11ed
as though he had been standing upon his
head. He began to talk to the physician
in German. I didn't understand him until
he began to swear-then it was wonder
full! In the end he brushed them all away
and taking me by the arm, led me right
into the inner room. For a long time he
went on jabbering away half to himself,
and / was wondering how on earth to
bring the conversation round to the things
1 wanted to know about. Then, all of a
sudden, he turned to me and seemed to
remember who 1 was and what l wanted.
'Ah!' he said. you are Dorward. the
American journalist. l remember you
pretty quick. fo1 had noticed they were
mighty uneasy outside. and l was afraid
they'd be disturbing us every moment
Come and sit down. he ordered. I did
so at once. You're sensible fellow,
he declared. To-day every one is worry
1t is foolish. I am quite well. VINO
would not be well on such a day as this!'
told him that l had never seen him
looking better in my life, and he nodded
hear the truth about the meeting of my
master with the czar and the Emperor
of Germany? he asked. That's So
told him. Americas more than a little
interested in these things and | want to
know what to tell her Then he leaned
said, I like you. You are straightfor-
ward. You speak plainly and you do not
worry me. 1t is good. You shall tell
your country what 1t is that We have
coming. Yours is a great and wise coun.
try. When they know the truth. they will
remember that Europe is a long way on
and that the things which happen there
are really no concern or theirs. fou are
right I assured him-'dead right. Treat
us openly-thats all we ask Shall
not do that, my young friend? he an
swered. Now look. I give you this He
fumb1ed through all his pockets and at
last he drew out long envelope, sealed
which was printed coat of arms with
two tigers facing each other. He looked
toward the door cautiously. and there
was just that CLEAN in his eyes winch
madmen always have. Here it is. he
whispered. written with my own hand.
This will tell you exactly what passed this
afternoon 1t will tell you our plans. 1t
will tell You of the share which my mas mas
ter and the other two are taking But
ton II up safely he said, and, whatever
you do, do not let them know outside
that you have got it. Between you ana
me- he went on. leaning across the table.
something seems to have happened to
them all today. There's my old doctor
there. He Is worrying all the time. but
he himself is not well. l can see 1t when
ever he comes near me- l nodded as
though L understood and the chancellor
tapped his forehead and grinned. Then
1 got up as casually as | could; Tor IL !
was terribly afraid that he wouldn't let
me go. We shook hands, and I tell you
his fingers were like pieces pieces OF s,aa burning
knocked at the door. Then he began to
storm again. kicked his chair over. threw
q paper weight at the window and talked
such nonsense that couldn't follow him.
/ unlocked the door myself and found the