The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-12-06
t. kill your husband as we'll 10 the

NOllINS a NbCSHSASCts NC SOAS
countess II note stating that he and his
Imperial master would leave for Ham
burg :ls intended and she was to pre-
pure his baggage and send 1t to the
station. Their lie asked for an inter,
view with thu. emperor and told him
that lie had rnearthed Z plot to muir
der him on ht7 return from Hamburg:
that it would be better for his nnjes.
ty to 20 as intended. while he. Demi-
dorf. remained behind to prevent the
assassination and secure proof against
the cUnsplrators.
Willia,n questioned his aid-de-camp
closely and finally drew forth the in
formation that the Countess Demidort
was implicated in the plot. He thought
for some time. then said:
This is too important a matter. my
friend. for me to leave exclusively to
any one but myself, not even you. ]
have been very fond Of your wife.
and | fear lest the evidence may be
against her. yet misleading. What |
propose to do Is this: We will both
start for Hamburg. but l wish you tn
have q: swift automobile at a way sta
ton to take us of the train and return
US to Berlin in time to intercept this
bomb carrier. Provide police uniforms
for both Of lis. We will watch at your
back door. seize the bomb and l shall
see for myself what evidences Of guilt
there are on the part Of your wife and
be able to judge how far she has been
made a tool Of Others"
Demidorf took the emperor's hand
and pressed it %fervently by way OF
expressing IL gratitude for which he
could not find words. Then he left
the chamber to obey the orders he h..'
received.
1t was nearing midnight on Christ
mas eve or Christmas morning when
two police officers. sauntering leisureIy
into the street where Count Delnidorf
lived, aud. later entering the counts
back yard, concealed themselves under
some bushes. A few minutes before
the clocks struck IL a man passed into
the yard and was advancing to the
door when be vas stopped by the po-
licemen, one Of whom seized a box he
carried and examined it as we'll as the
imperfect light would permit.
Its not Il bomb" he said. but ar
Internal machine. l hear it tick"
The bearer Of the box was too sur
prised to utter a word. The man who
held it raped softly at the door. 1t
was opened by a One of the
policemen pushed by her and turned
on the electric light. 1t revealed the
countess. her brother and the two po-
licemen.
"Amelia:" ,noaned one of the latter.
"Adolph" exclaimed the countess.
"You have ruined us. How could you
have done it! 1t is you. Heinrich. who
have corrupted her with your crazy
IDEAS"
What does it all mean?'' cried the
countess.
LET US go in and examine the box
said the policeman who held it. and.
followed by the other. he entered the
house. The countess looked at him. at
first doubtfully. then confidently. and
exclaimed:
"Great heaveus-the kaiser!
II have come here said the emper-
or. that | might decide upon your
case in person. have been your friend
too long to intrust it to Others"
what case?"
"Open the box" said the count. LET
me relieve your majesty. II any u
is to be killed | infinitely prefer that
It should he your loyal servant. myself.
I do not wish to live after this dis
grace"
The emperor handed him the box.
and he tore of the wrapper.
""Take care" said his majesty. lit
has a sliding lid"
The caution came. too late. Demi-
dorf. maddened. drew back a few feet
from the others and removed the lid.
But the expected explosion did not
take place.
"A clock!!" exclaimed the emperor.
"And as l live. the clock that stood in
the cabinet Of my grandfather"
There was u moment Of silence IN
which all wondered: then the emperor.
turning to the countess. asked her for.
an explanation.
1.-THE clock" she said. after the
death of his majesty the Emperor Viii.
liam /. was given as a reward for
faithfulness to one of his attendants:
The latter dying poor 1t was sold to a
dealer In curiOs. My brother bought
It for me to give to my husband for Il.
Christmas gift. intended a great
surprise and have attempted to intro
duce it here while he was away. We
have the surprise. but not the n exs
pected."
The emperor burst into a laugh. and
at the same moment a shouting. a fir
ing. a ringing Of bells without an
bounced that it was Christmas r.
ing.
Count" said William. ''yoU are the
biggest fool on earth except one"
"And who is that. your majesty"
Myself. Ii there is, wine in the
house let us drink a bumper to Christ
mas. Meanwhile order an automobile
sent from the palace with a suit Of,