Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1912-01-12
EY(xNl(l!!l

&AN@SE found him pacing the
floor of his study in high
state of excitement. In his hand he
held letter. When entered he
came up to me at once, with the ap-
pearance of a man who seeks some
consolation after having gone through
an intolerable strain.
Captain Adams" he said, plunging
at once into the business on hand, as
was his habit, Il am in most I'M
fortunate dilemma, and there is inn
mediate need of an envoy who pos
sesses courage and discretion in the
highest degree. In view of your sue
cessful expedition to Berlin recently
am confident that you can solve this
difficult problem"
l bowed my acknowledgements and
waited for information. At that mo-
ment, however his majesty's secre-
tary, Lord (then Sir Francis) Knowles
came quickly in from an ante-room.
"The ambassador is here, sir" he
said.
Bring him in at once, Knowles"
said the king. mo formalities." A
moment later Lord Walter Eaton
strobe into his majesty's presence. l
recognized him at once as our envoy
at Vienna, who had succeeded to an
unexpected extent in winning the con-
fidence of Austria and improving rela-
tons between that country and
Britain.
Lord Walter Eaton, this is Captain
Adams, of whom l spoke to you," said
his majesty. Perhaps you had better
tell him why he is to go to Vienna"
Extraordinary events have been
occurring at the Viennese court" be-
gan the ambassador. They were the
cause of my journey home"
Tell Adams what the emperor
called you," interpolated his majesty,
with momentary flicker of amuse-
ment.
"A sour old horse" said Lord Wal
ter Eaton grimly. HE addressed that
remark to me, apropos of nothing in
particular, at the last levee His be-
havior has, in short, been so peculiar
as to give rise to suspicious concern
Ing his sanity. For one thing, he
seems to have forgotten entirely the
values of the respective orders of no.
bility, and behaves to each person
whom he addresses with the most Of
tensive familiarity"
Never mind those details at pres
emit" said the king. Captain Adams
had been receiving confidential re-
ports concerning the mental condition
Of the Austrian emperor from many
sources for some days when, early this
morning, / received this letter, which
Is Individually in his writing. Read it,
took it. 1t was hurried scrawl,
lmploring King Edward to intervene
to protect the writer, who had been
dispossessed of his throne by an i'm
postor resembling him. and imprisoned
In the fortress of Vienna. The name
signed was that of Francis Joseph.
81 don't know what to make of it."
muttered the king, beginning to pace
the floor again. There appear to be
only two possible solutions One, the
less likely, is that the emperor has
actually been dispossessed of his
throne by an impostor; the other.
that this letter is merely an additional
proof of his insanity And | don't
know how to find out which is cor.
rect"
81 can supply the solution, sir"
replied
How is that" the king exclaimed
by starting Immediately to fine
out"
10 aai0 I'll
that will be best. will write you {
letter to Count Lichtenstein, the EN-
perors chancellor insisting that yol
be given an immediate interview. Yol
had better acquaint yourself with al
many details as possible concerning
the onset of this delusion-if indeed |
be one. But If the letter is genuine
remember l rely upon you to effec
the emperor's release. Use any means
SO long as you do not inculpate tn
British government"
l bowed and took my leave Hurry
Ing back to my lodgings in Half Moo
street, Piccadilly, ordered Talbot, m
soldier servant, to pack my grip.
: Where are you hon to this time,
l might harsk. sir?" questioned m
faithful attendant
Vienna, Talbot replied shortly.
witch is the capital of H'austris
: sir, isn't it?" Talbot put in. won
: you tyke me along to protect you, sir
: Them H'austrians is tricky lot, a
: I've been given to understand"
For moment | was almost temple
to accede to the fellows request. Blu
n moments more reflection convince
O me that, In view of the extrem
v delicacy of the business on hand,
n must act alone. With some difficult
, l succeeded in dispensing his hopei
and, grip In hand. entered the nigh
train for Harwich that evening g
r route for Vienna. The journey acroe
l. the North sea was accomplished will
q out unusual occurrences, and on th
d second day thereafter | was standin
# in the reception room of the Austria
q emperor's palace, waiting for wor
v from Count Lichtenstein, to whom
had sent in my card. Lord Waite
Eaton had informed me that | coul
l. confidently rely upon his assistance
. since he WAS most deen1v iufarasfo