The Washington herald., 1914-10-18

Va hAAG AdAAOas \ ans G<NPOoAhO
of 1900 time when swarms o
visitors of every nationalit
were pouring into the city o
the Seine, that / was gratide'
by a call from NJ Regnault, the chic
of the French Secret Service.
Il have come to make you a propo
sition," he said "You know, of course
that Paris is full, just now, of person
on whom we are obliged to keep al
eye. The result is that our hands arr
full, and we need assistance.
I looked at my visitor in amazement
Was it possible that he was going tc
ask me, the friend of monarchs anc
the ally of ambassadors, to help him in
the task of arresting English pick
pockets?
Regnault was quick to perceive my
disgust.
"The persons refer to specially" he
hastened to explain, are the royal per
sonages from abroad who are visiting
the Exposition, or are on their way to
it in great numbers, and whose pres
ence will afford a tempting opportunity
for the anarchists"
That is work which can be equally
well done by an ordinary detective at
twenty francs day"
The head of the French police lower
ed his voice.
an the case of some of our visitors
we require the services of men of the
very greatest discretion, who can be
trusted not to take advantage of any
knowledge they may obtain. Such men
are not to be picked up for twenty
francs a day. Permit me to ask you to
name a figure for your own services"
"One thousand francs a day." l an
swered.
But it is the salary of an archdukeI" |"
he cried
That is an observation which must
consider as terminating our converse
tion," I said firmly.
But I acceptp the Frenchman cried
quickly. do not be so impatient, I
beg of you, my dear Monsieur v. 1t
is understood then, is it not, that we
have the exclusive right to your serv-
ices during the next few weeks?"
l hesitated. The terms were tempt
ing enough, but the fact that Regnault
had closed with them so promptly made
me distrustfuL
"Exclusive-I did not say that. II
must first look through my papers, and
see if there is anything which I cannot
put aside"
NJ. Regnault appeared only partly
with this answer. In the end
he left me, saying that he should send
in the course of a few hours for my
decision.
He had hardly quilted the Office when
received message from the German
Ambassador requesting me to call.
Halfway down the Rue Scribe, be-
;ame aware that was being shadowed;
10 doubt by the orders of my late Ns-
tor, the man who had pretended that
lie required my assistance in watching
othersl
l found the ambassador In a state of
trong irritation tinged with uneasiness.
"Oh, you are here, Monsieur ""
lie said, not very cordially, as I was
hown in. Il have sent for you because
understand you are more in the En-
'eror's confidence than any one else
% you happen to know where he is?"
81 enjoy share of his majesty's con-
ldence no doubt" I returned, 'but he
loes not keep me acquainted with all
lis movements. gathered from the /
apers that he was at Hubertsburg."
Then you can't help me-" was the ,
ough response "The Kaiser has dis I
ppeared." i
when was his absence discovered?" ,
Only yesterday. The minister for
le navy went to submit the designs for =
new cruiser, and found the bird flown. '
got a telegram from the chancellor c
lis morning, telling me, and advising I
e to consult you. Of course, the thing
lust be kept a strict secret" @
Does the chancellor make any sug- L
estion as to where his majesty has a
one?" a
Eyes, that is the worst of it. We v
re afraid he has come here" o
l nodded. So this was the illustrious
sitor whom NJ. Regnault was willing "
pay me two hundred dollars a day
protector not to protectI ii
The Emperor has always had a II
to come to Paris" the am b
lsSsdor went on to say. THE French III
'vernment has been sounded over and bl
'er again on the subject. But they ca
i've always declined to invite them Of h,