The Ordway new era., 1917-08-10


be.
About midday Doctor Vollerthun was
ushered in to me-n short. stout, gut
tural-speaking man Of about sixty,
rather bald. and wearing big, round.
gold.rimmed spectacles. l quickly
handed him over to the major-domo.
About three o'clock that same after
noon light tap came at the door. and
saw my hostess standing upon the
| threshold.
She was quietly but elegantly
dressed. presenting the true type of the
smart Parisicnne. but In an instant l
realized that she was very pale and
agitated. Indeed her voice trembled
when she asked permission to enter.
Since her marriage had many times
chatted with her, for she often came
to the palace when her husband visited
Berlin. l had danced with her; l had
taken her into dinner ut various houses
where we met. always finding her
bright and very intellectual compan-
ion.
She quietly closed the door and ad-
vanced to the table from which l had
risen.
Count Won Heltzendorff! she ex-
claimed in u low, strained voice. II
have come to seek your aid because
well, because I'm distracted, and l
know that you are my husbands
friend" she exclaimed in French.
"And yours also, madam" said ear
nestly.
"AIy husband is out with the emper-
or - she gasped in u curious, unnerved
tone. "And I fear; oh, l fear that we
are in great peril-deadly peril. every
hour-every moment"
Really. madame, hardly follow
you l said.
"My husband, whom love devoted
ly has done his best In the interests
of his emperor. You, count, know the
real aims of the kaiser In Turkey.
These last six months have watched.
and have learned the truth! / know
how, when the emperor went to Con-
stantinople five months ago in pre-
tence of friendship toward the sultan,
with Professor Vambery as interpre-
ter, he practically compelled Abdul
Hamid to give him, in return for GER
tain financial advances. those wonder
full jewels which the Empress Cath
crime, wife of Peter the Great, gave in
secret to the grand vizier to secure
the escape of the Russian army across
the Pruth. l know, too. how he
laughed with my husband at the clever
ness by which he is fooling the too
trustful Turks. L"
Pardon. madame" said, interrupt
Ing her, and speaking in French, but
is it really wise to speak thus of the
emperor? Your husband is, I fear,
guilty of great indiscretion in mention
ing such matters"
II am his wife, count, and he con-
ceals little, If anything, from me-"
/ looked the pretty young woman
straight in the face In fear and re-
gret.
Instantly I realized the serious dam
ger of the secret being betrayed to
France.
Madame" said. "If may be per-
mitted, 1 would urge that the emper-
or's diplomacy neither concerns your
husband, as an official, nor yourself.
1t is his own private affair, and should
u.
, II know" she said. "That is Just
. why have ventured to come here to
. consult you, monsieur! You have been
my good friend as well as my hus-
bands, and here today, while the en-
l peror Is our guest beneath our roof, l
e feel that 1 am in greatest perilw
"WhyW I asked with considerable
3 surprise.
: 1.-THE emperor has already learned
: that 1 know the truth regarding his
! secret" was her slow reply. "By what
:, means his majesty discovered 1t, I
n alas! know not. But I do know from
I confidential quarter that have in.
n CURED the emperor's gravest displeas
= ure and hatred"
IS "Who is your informant7" I INQUIRED
1t sternly, eager to further investigate
II the great intrigue.
10 "A certain person who must be name
C. less"
X "Have you spoken to anybody of the
emperors secret plans in Turkey, OF
D. Of his possession of the Empress Cath
N crimes jewels?"
le Il have not uttered word to a sin
At gle soul except my husband. I swea,
Of it."
e, Your husband was extremely indis
ID Greet in revealing anything" declared
Is again quite frankly.
u Il fully admit that. But what car
'e ! do? How shall actT she asked ii
st low. tense voice. advise me, do."
For some moments I remained a
q lent. The situation was diflcult.
st well, madamc,r replied after re
n hection, .if you are really ready (,
r promise the strictest secrecy and leev
q, | the natter Ia ma 1 I'm ~ !. -, ~