Smyrna times., 1913-01-01


imperial master would leave for Ham,
burg as intended and she was to pre-
pare his baggage and send it to the
station. Then he asked for an inter
view with the emperor and told him
that he had unearthed a plot to muir
der him on his return from Hamburg; /
that it would be better for his maJes-
ty to go as intended. while he, Demi- |
dorf. remained behind to prevent the |
assassination and secure proof against |
the cOnSplratOrs.
William questioned his aid-de-camp |
closely and finally drew forth the in
formation that the Countess Demidorf
was implicated in the plot. He thought
for some time. then said:
This is too important matter, my
friend. for me to leave exclusively to
any one but myself, not even you. l
have been very fond of your wife,
and | fear lest the evidence may be
against her. yet misleading. What l
propose to do is this: We will both
start for Hamburg. but / wish you to
have a swift automobile at a way sta
tiOn to take us off the train and return
us to Berlin in time to intercept this
bomb carrier. Provide police uniforms
for both of us. 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 tool of Others"
DemidOrf took the emperor's hand
and pressed it fervently by way of
expressing gratitude for which he
could not find words. Then he left
the chamber to obey the orders he had
received.
1t was nearing midnight on Christ
mas eve or Christmas morning when
two police officers. sauntering leisurely
into the street where Count Demidorf
lived and later entering the counts
back yard, concealed themselves under
some bushes. few minutes before
the clocks struck 12 man passed into
the yard and was advancing to the
door when he was 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 a bOmb." he said. but an
Internal machine. | 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 woman. 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|' moaned one of the latter.
"Adolphr' 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 rs 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 heavens-the kaiserr'
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. If any one
is to be killed | infinitely prefer that
it should be your loyal servant. myself
l 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. al
has sliding lid"
The caution came too late. Demi
dorf. maddened. drew back a few fee
from the others and removed the lid
But the expected explosion did no
take place.
"a clock" exclaimed the emperor
And as live. the clock that stood il
the cabinet Of my grandfather"
There was moment of silence Il
! which all wondered: then the emperor
: turning to the countess. asked her 70
J an explanation.
! 1.-The clock" she said. after tn
death of his majesty the Emperor Wi
: liam |. was given as reward fo
( faithfulness to one of his attendant
y The latter dying poor it was sold to
3 dealer in curios My brother bougt
it for me to give to my husband for
4 Christmas gift. | intended a grea
i surprise and have attempted to intr,
duce it here while he was away. W
have the surprise. but not the one e.
n pected.'
o The emperor burst into laugh. an
4 at the same moment a shouting. q
? ing. ringing of bells without al
O nounced that it was Christmas NOR
Ing.
= Count" said William. you are Il
It biggest fool on earth except one
It And who is that. your majestyY'
Myself. II there Is wine in Il
10 house let us drink bumper to Chris