The Raymer enterprise., 1911-12-14
Copyright. by W. G. Chapman.)
NARRATIVE OF
CAPTAIN ADAMS
- Detective. Diplomat


nificent salon, where found the coun
waiting to receive me. He was stand
ing stiiliy at attention. his heels TO
gether in military style, and, wher
! entered, he saluted me. Then, see
ing that was in civilian clothes, ht
looked at me inquiringly.
had already decided upon m,
course OF action would tell Count
Lichtenstein frankly that / represent
ed his majesty Of England. who had
heard disquieting rumors concerning
the emperor's health. or course
had presented my special passport
vised by Lord Lansdowne, the head
OF the foreign office. which insured
me reception.
Hardly had stated the purpose OF
my mission when ! saw the count
start and change color. He looked
at me with a penetrating gaze.
His majesty appears-in his-nor.
metaphysical health" he said with
difficulty. gulping down the words.
Mental. my dear count, mental"
rejoined. saw the muscles Of his
face twitching and knew that had
him at the confessional. by the
way" | continued, approaching him,
where Is his majesty"
I'm damned II know" the count
exploded. Then we looked at one an
other earnestly and both saw that the
time had arrived for irankness,
as II the emperor or is 1t some i'm.
postor?" | asked.
1T is not the emperor" the count
replied. The resemblance is almost
perfect II would deceive anybody
who had not known his majesty so
intimately as |. Nevertheless, | know
that It is not the emperor. But how
can ] denounce the man without lay.
ing myself open to Imprisonment as
lunatic?"
"Tell me how and when the trans.
formation occurred | asked.
1T was about IS days ago. was
the minister in attendance for the
week at the royal palace. His mai.
esty had gone to bed in his inner
apartment, which oyerlooks the street
A guard was on duty in the outer
rooms, 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 10
see me- When ! entered | found him
in his paiamas, 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,' | 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, slow blush creeping up be.
meath his bearded cheek. And then
| perceived that this was not my EN-.
peror And ever since | have lived
In an agony OF doubts. with no one to
whom to conflde my suspicious"
What Of the prisoner In the for.
/ tress?" ! asked.
Count Llchtenstein choked. "You
have heard?" he cried.
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 Chodovay," 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-this
so-called lunatic-for | know II is my
emperor"
He collapsed into a chair, painfully
agitated. II was with some difficulty
that brought him to more reason
able view OF affairs, for he talked OF
suicide and Of having betrayed the
honor and safety OF his ruler. Finally
induced him to secure me presen
tation to the pseudo-emperor at the
leyee on the following day.
had taken up my residence In III
tie. transformations house In respect
able. but not fashionable. quarter. Or
the following afternoon. arraying my
self In court dress, ] summoned car
rlage and had myself conveyed to the
palace, where found myself In the
midst Of a throng Of notables, al
pressing toward the throne room. A,
the door was jammed In the mob ant
held immobile for several moments
during which I witnessed a remark
able spectacle.
Before me. not ~ feet away. stoot
the impostor upon a crimson carpet
under a canopy, surrounded by hIi
staif. all a.glitter with colors and or
ders. A gentleman In plain black hAt
Just bowed to him and turned to pass
on. but the emperor las must cal
him) detained him. had no din
Guilty In recognizing the features O