The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-01-25

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~ King Edward the Sew
ESl enth. This was the
.S&7 event of that fearful
aX M week of suspense and
,E<% y anguish in the spring
III of 1909, when his maj
esty was supposed to
be at Biarritz, in Spain, recuperating
after the English winter.
Needless to say, he was not in Biar-
ritz then. He was, as a matter of fact
but let my story speak for itself.
At this period the relations existing
between Great Britain aud Germany
were strained to the utmost. It was
an open secret, among that small body
of citizens Of both countries that does
not take its news from the papers,
that war between the two states was
imminent, and that it was to be de-
clared by England. In fact, his majes-
ty, believing that the increase in the
German ornaments was a direct lei
ace to England, had resolved to be-
gin hostilities before Easter.
I was then living in chambers in
Half Moon street, Piccadilly. I had
not been requisitioned by the govern
ment for several weeks, but I waited
for a summons, and as the affair grew
more serious and the prospects Of
peace darker, I knew that l might at
any moment find myself called upon
for immediate service upon some deli
cate mission. l was not surprised,
therefore, when a royal landau ap-
peared at the door Of my house one
morning and a cockaded footman,
ascending the stairs, requested my in
slant presence before Prince George
of Wales at Buckingham palace, where
he was residing, having come up for
Easter from White house, his sub
urban lodge at Richmond.
I was driven to the palace with all
possible speed. Although l always
discounted my experiences in ad-
vance, I was not prepared to find
Prince George, usually the most i'm
maculate of men, seated before an
open crate fire in the library of his
apartment, wrapped in a dressing
gown, his eyes red, his hair disor-
dered, while the table in front of him
was heaped with cigar butts. At his
side stood the kings secretary, the
genial and garrulous Lord Knowles.
The poor old gentleman was com
pletely disconnected and, sunk into a
chair much too big for him, seemed
lilo q fooh1o o11or1v mon
When I entered the prince sprang
to his feet and greeted me warmly,
with self-possession. "Sit down, Cap
tain Adams!" he began. This is the
most terrible business" But he was
interrupted by the entrance of a uni
formed attendant.
His excellency the German ambas'
sador requests instant audience" he
said, saluting.
"Tell him to go to the DEVIL" cried
Prince George heartily.
Ills excellency the German ambas'
sador demands instant audience, in
the absence of the de facto head OF
the state" the attendant repeated me
chanically.
I understand that, in accordance
with diplomatic privileges, the am
bassador was within his rights. The
prince recognized this too. Hastily
he threw of his dressing gown and
robed himself in his frock coat. A
moment later the ambassador was
claiming audience.
SEY h~ra tho 0oooc{Nn i,,cf{Aoo urlyS
demanding audience at this early
hour" said the prince irritably.
Eyes, sir" the ambassador answered
II am instructed by my government
to ask your intentions In concentrating
a large naval force in the German
ocean,"
IF you mean the North sea-" the
prince replied, IT must refer you tc
the king, my father"
".Ah, but where is the king?" asked
the ambassador, smiling.
"You know!" shouted the prince
losing patience. "You have made q
treacherous attack upon the person Of
my sovereign in time of peace, tc
hold him hostage. Do you think you
will thus prevent the just anger of an
outraged people?"
I saw the ambassadors face turn
purple.
Eyes, l am not ignorant of what has
occurred" he answered. 9" shall re
port your accusation to my govern
ment. And with regard to the feet in
the Carmen ocoon-0
sour feet will sail up and down the
North sea and wherever it chooses
Prince George shouted. Lord Knowles
alarmed, arose and came toddling w
between the two men, but the ambas
sador. with a low bow, withdrew
through the doorway. The prince sal
down and mopped his brow.
Nov, Captain Adams" he said
presently, there is no time to lose
Let me acquaint you with the facts
Yesterday afternoon his majesty, my
father, was strolling in the grounds Of
White house, Richmond, where l re
side. He had motored down and. dis
missing his suite, had wandered
among the ornamental strawberries un'
til he was lost to sight. Suddenly the
gentlemen In waiting were astontshed