Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-31
CHAPTER XIV.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
Very soon after midday on the same
morning. Herr Carl Freudenberg was
the host at a small luncheon party
given in a private room of the most
famous restaurant in the Bots. His
morning attire was model of correct
ness, his eyes were clear, his manner
blithe, almost joyous There was no
possible indication in his appearance of
his misspent hours. He was at once
a genial and courteous host. Mon
sieur Decheles sat at his right hand;
Monsieur Felix Brant on his left; Mon
sieur Policeman opposite to him. The
three men had arrived in an automobile
together and had entered the restau-
rant by the private way. but that they
were guests of some distinction was
obvious from their reception by the
manager himself
The luncheon was worthy of the
great reputation of the place. 1t was
swiftly and well served. With the cof-
fee and liquors the walters withdrew.
Herr Freudenberg, with a smile, rose
up and tried the door Then he re-
tuned to his place. lit cigarette, and
leaned back in his chair.
my dear friends he announced,
now we can talk"
Monsieur Policeman smiled.
YES" he admitted I'VE can talk.
In this excellent brandy Monsieur Carl
Freudenberg, drink your very good
health. Long may these little visits of
yours continue"
Herr Freudenberg smiled his thanks.
Monsieur Policeman" he said, land
YOU too, my dear friends. let me as
sure YOU that there is nothing in the
world which / enjoy so much as these
brief visits of mine to your delightful
IN mora I think Of tha
sures and cares of office. let my
self go, and on these occasions, as you
know, I speak to you not IN the
language of diplomacy, but as good
friends who meet together to enjoy an
hour or two of one another's company,
and who, because there is no harm to
be done by it, but much good, open
their hearts and speak true words with
one another"
Monsieur Decheles smiled.
at is a pleasure which we all share"
he declared. ut is more agreeable,
without a doubt. to take lunch with
Monsieur Carl Freudenperg, and to
speak openly, than to exchange long
wfnded interviews the true meaning
of which is too much concealed by dip
lomatic verbiage, with the excellent
gentleman to whose good offices are
intrusted the destinies of Herr Freu-
denbergs great nation"
Monsieur" Her Freudenberg said,
Today shall be no exception. Today
speak to you, perhaps, more openly
than ever before. Today l perhaps risk
much-yet why not speak the things
which are in my hearth"
Monsieur Felix Brant took a cigar
cite from the box by his elbow, but he
felt for It only. His eyes never left
the face Of his host. OF the three men,
he seemed the one least in sympathy
with the state of affairs to which Herr
Freudenberg had alluded so cheerfully.
He watched the man at the head Of
the table all the time as though every
energy of which he was possessed was
devoted to the task of reading under
meath tina, suave but impenetrable face.
Gentlemen" Herr Freudenberg con-
tinued, there have been many misap-
prehensions between your country and
mine. Ten years ago we seemed indeed
on the highroad to friendship 1t was
then-I speak frankly, mind-that your
country made tn cone fatal mistake of
recent years. Great Britain, isolated, left
behind in the race for power, a weak
ened and decoying nation, having search
ed the world over for allies held out
the timorous hand of friendship to you
What evil genius was with your states
men that day? When the history of these
times comes to be written, it is my
firm belief that il will be then acknowl-
edged that the genius of the man who
reigned over Great Britain at that time
was alone responsible for the commence
ment of what has become a veritable al
/ lance"
Herr Freudenberg paused
There is no doubt" Monsieur Deche-
les asserted, calmly, that the influence
of the late king was immense among the
people of France. He appealed some
how to their ina ginations. a great mon
arch who was also a hon viveur, who
had lived his days in Paris as the 9TH
ers."
Herr Freudenberg nodded thoughtfully
He is dead" he said, "and history will
write him down as a great king. Do you
know that il is one of my theories that
morals have nothing to do with govern
ment? I docbt whether a more sagacious
monarch has ever reigned over that un-
fortunate country than the one we speak
Of. So sagacious was he that he even
saw the beginning Of the end, he saw
the things that must come when he look
ed across the North sea; and nothwith-
standing his descent, notwithstanding all
I the ties which should have allied him
with Germany, he hated our people and
he hated our country with a prophetic
hatred. But we gossip a little. gentle
men. Let me proceed. I want you to
realize that the policy of Germany for
the last five years has been wholly di-
rected toward securing the friendship of
your country. I want you to realize that
] but for the continual interference OF