Tombstone epitaph., 1917-07-01


 well enough. It is somebody else he is referring to-"
 His majesty wishes to see you al once" urged. full of wonder.
 could plainly see that his imperial highness had been much upset at men tion of the mysterious person called Minckwitz. What could the emperor know of him? Was there some scan dal at the root of it all. some facts which the crown prince feared might be revealed?
 Travel-stained and without changing his tunic. Willie" went to the tele, phone and ordered Knof to bring back the car. In it he drove across to the Seues Palais to see the emperor.
 had an appointment in Berlin that night. and waited until quite late for -Willie's" return. As he did not come, left for the capital. and on arrival at my rooms.- rang up Wolf-s agency, and gave out paragraph to the press that his imperial highness, the crown prince, had been compelled to aban- don his journey to Thorn, owing to having contracted a chill.
 At the Sehloss oeIs.
 Several weeks went by and one day we were at the ancient schloss at Oels, in far Silesia,
 The guests included old Count von Reisenbach, court chamberlain of the prince of Schambourg-Lippe. who was a noted raconteur and bonvivant, with Major von Heidkanper of the Fourth Bavarian Light Cavalry. constant companion of Willie" and Karl von Pappenheim. captain of the Prussian guard, who had been educated at OK ford. and who was so English that it was often difficult for people from London to believe that he was a Prus- sian.
 Von Pappenheim was one of "Wil- lies" new friends. He was the son of a great landowner of Erfurt, and the pair had for the past month been inseparable. He was shrewd, keen eyed man, who seemed ever on the alert. but, of course. obsessed by mili- tary dignity. He had a sister, Marga- rete. pretty girl. year or so his junior, who had been to the Mariner palace on one occasion.
 One day I had accompanied the party out after stag. Soon after lunch con. which we took at a forester s house. We went forth again, and con- cealed myself at a point of vantage, lying behind a screen Of ferns and branches specially constructed as cover.
 was alone, at some considerable distance from the others, and had been there waiting for nearly an hour with my gun in readiness. when suddenly I heard the cracking of dried wood not far away.
 Something was moving. I raised my gun in breathless eagerness.
 Next moment. however. heard the voices of two men-"Willie" and his friend. Won Pappenheim. They were approaching me, speaking in low, con- fidential tones.
 You quite understand" "Willie" was saying. "My position is terri ble one. I don't know how to extri- cate myself. If dare reveal the truth, then know full well what their ven- geance will be-"
 But. my dear Caesar" was Karl von Pappenheim's reply. for he was on such intimate terms that he called his highness by the name Won Hochberg had bestowed upon him, '.is it not your duty to risk all and tell the truths"
 The pair had halted only few yards from me and taken cover behind a dead bush which had been cut down and placed conveniently at the spot. in case the shooting party were large one and the screen behind which had concealed myself was insufficient. So near were they that could hear all that was said.
 "The emperor would neither believe nor forgive me-" "Willie" said. 'Alinckwitz Is a clever devil. He would bring manufactured evidence which must duplicate me-"
 Minckwitz, That was the name which the emperor had uttered. asking me if I knew him!
 "But can he bring evidenceT asked his companion.
 "Yes, curse him Lhe can"
 "You can refute it. surelyT
 "No, I can't. If could. I should make a clean breast of the whole mat ter" Willie declared
 "He Holds Ne in the Hollow of His
 Hand."
 But cannot help you? Cannot see Minckwitz. and bluff himi" his friend suggested.
 "You don't know him." was the re ply. "He holds me in the hollow of his hand" ~
 "Ah. Then you have been horribly indiscreet-ehT
 "I have. I admit have. Karl; and I do not see my way out of It."
 But, my dear Caesar, think of the danger existing day by day-hour by hour!" cried Won Pappenheim- Thlnh what there is at stake! That letter you showed me this morning reveals only too plainly what is intended Tt Is a letter of defiance, I admit" -And . catastrophe must inevitably occur. if you do not act" But how can actT cried the crowr