Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-21
BOOK II.
CHAPTER VI.


CHAPTER VI.
FALKENBERG FAILS.
Herr Freudenberg was dressed for the
| evening with his usual fastidious neat
ness. He had the air Of man who had
been engaged for many nights in some
! artiuous occupation, TNere were dark
rims under his eyes, tho tines upon his
! forehead were deeper. Nevertheless ne
smiled with something of his old gayety
as he accepted the chair WHICH Julien
! placed for him.
"My dear sir julien" he said, II have
come good many hundred miles at a
most inconvenient' moment for the sake
Of a brief conversation with you
Julien raised his eyebrows.
you surprise mel" he exclaimed I
had no idea that the mission you spoke
of YVES so urgent"
"NDr is it." Herr Freudenberg replied
"As a matter Of fact II scarcely exists
at all, sr II 1t did exist, it was created
simply rs a means OF removing you
| from within the reach of practical poll
| tics for some months. have foresight.
| you see, Sir Julien. I saw what was
coming. Permit me to tell you that
| do not like your letter in lie Grand
Journal yesterday, letter which I'M
derstand appeared also in the London
Post"
"T am sorry" Julien said calmly
still to be perfectly frank, 1t wasn't
written with a view of pleasing or dis
pleasing you. 1t was written in a siren
| uous attempt to preserve the friendship
| between France and England.
cit is to be followed. 4 presume" by
others?" Herr Freudenberg asked.
cit is the first of a series" Julien adj
mitted.
''You know" Herr Freudenberg re-
marked glancing at his finger nails TOT
q monient, that II is most diabolieally
you hatter me-" julien murmured.
mot at ALL I have spoken the
truth 1 am here to know what price
you will take to suppress the remainder
of the series"
Julien considered.
81 will take" he replied. "the exact
amount of the last war Indemnity which
was paid to you by France.
Herr 'Freudenberg smiled.
"A mere trihe to the war indemnity
we shall be asking from England before
very long"
Il am not avaricious." Julien said.
''Those are my terms"
Herr Freudenberg sighed
my friend" he said, "it would be
better if you talked of this matter rea-
sonably. There are other ways Of Sc
curing the nOn-COnlinudnCe VI lhOSS AOb-
ters than by purchase.
! "Precisely," Julien answered, ''but
Paris, in it's beaten thoroughfares, at
any rate, is a law-abiding city. 1 don't
fancy that 1 shall come to much grief
here"
"A brave man." Herr Freudenberg re-
marked, seldom believes that he will
come to grief.
"If the blow falls, nevertheless, it Is
at least considerate of you that you
bring me warning!"
rubbish Herr Freudenberg inter
posed. Listen, Sir Julien. / ask you
to consider this matter as reasonable
person We don't want war. We don't
mean to have war. But the desire OF
nv ministers-my own desire-really is
to inflict a crushing diplomatic humit-
alton upon the present government of
/ Great Britain. 1t is composed of IN
competent and Objectionable persons
We desire to humiliate them. Yet
whom is it that we find taking up the
cudgels on their behalf? You-the
man whom they drove out, the man
whom from sheer jealousy they ousted
from their ranks. Why, you should be
with us. not against us
81 have no grudge whatever against
| my party" Julien said. You seem 10
have been misinformed upon that sub
iect. Besides, / am an Englishman an
patriot The whole series Of M
articles will be written, and I shall do
my best to point out exactly the means
by which this present GOODNESS betwee
! our two countries have ben engineered.
"I will give you," Herr Freudenberg
offered, "a million francs not to write
those articles"
Julien pointed to the door
you are becoming offensive"
Herr Freudenberg rose slowly to his
feet. There was a little glitter in his
eyes.
IT have gone out Of my way" he lie
cIared ito be friendly with you, mos
obstinate of Englishmen. That~now 10
finished You shall not write those
articles"
You threaten me?"
"I do"
There are times" Julien remarked
quietly when i scarcely know whether
to take you seriously. There is surely
little of the burlesque about such a
statement"
Herr Freudenberg shrugged his
shoulders Slightly.
you think soZ Nevertheless. no fna''
whom have ever threatened has dom
the thing against which have warned
him.
Julien turned toward the door TO open
II. Herr Freudenberg, with footst cps
like a cat came up behind him. Sud
denly he threw his long, sinewy arm
around the others neck Taken utter
ly unprepared, Julien was powerless.