The Washington herald., 1914-11-01

must oroer a special diet OF pigeons
for bis majesty. You will instruct the
steward to procure as many as he car
from all sources. Within twenty-four
hours a crate will arrive containing
some dozens. especially addressed to
the care of your majesty. You viii
have this particular crate looked out
for. and brought 10 your apartments as
soon as it arrives" .
! Carrier pigeonsl" she exclaimed.
They will be carrier pigeons which
| shall obtain at Verdun, where there
pust be large number for the use OF
the garrison in case of war"
Her majesty nodded, well pleased.
Each of the pigeons will be provid-
ed with a quill concealed under one OF
its wings. You will merely have to
cut up the paper into fragments sufh-
Gently small to be eiclosed in the quills,
and then to release tho pigeons from
your windows. 1t will be the wisest
course to do so at night, so as not to
risk attracting attention"
"And they will return to Verdun, ]
suppose?" ...
"Yes. l shall be on the spot when
hey arrive, and I shall personally ex-
anime each one, and remove the pieces
of paper. / can then seal up the scraps
m an envelope, without attempting to
put them together, md deposit the en-
veIope at Windsor in accordance with
your wishes"
The wife of Frederick III gave me
grateful glance.
Almost Immediately there was a
knock at the door, followed by the ap-
pearance of the imperial groom of the
chambers.
His imperial highness the crown
prince requests leave to wait on your
imperial majesty"
81 am ready to receive him" was the
answer.
The upright form of the coming
Kaiser loomed in the doorway. Even
before greeting his parent he caught
sight of me, and the stern expression
Of his features deepened to one of an
ger and distrust.
Madam" he said abruptly, Il have
como to apologize for the action of one
of my officers in refusing to open the
gates of the park to your majesty"
The Empress permitted herself to
glance in my direction.
Then do l understand that no fur
ther check will be placed on my ac-
tions?" she demanded of her son.
That is undoubtedly my meaning,
was the answer. Il regret that can
not extend the exception to any men,
Ter of your suite" the Prince Wilhelm
added, glancing at me in his turn.
The Empress bit her lip.
He turned to me.
"As for you, sir, I require you to
give me an account of yourself. Who
and what are you?"
l addressed myself to, the Empress.
Have l your permission to speak,
madam"
you have my permission to do what
you think best, monsieur"
I faced the wrathful prince with a
placid smile.
my name is A. v, imperial
highness. / am an international spy,
and if you should have occasion here
after for my services l am to be found
in the Rue Scribe, Paris"
Il will have you arrested" stormed
the emperor of few days hence. "You
cannot pretend to be British subject." !"
l drew myself up.
81 have no ambition 1 am a citi-
zen of the United States"
Prince Wilhelm clenched his hands
and muttered something to his NOUS
tache.
Follow me, sir. You shall be con-
Quoted to the nearest frontier, and if
you ever cross it without my permis-
SION, look out for yourselfP'
l gave bow and glance of under
standing to the Empress, and withdrew
n the wake of her imperious son. .
A few hours later / was in Verdun.