Middletown transcript., 1917-07-07


got back to Ekersund; hence the SEN
sational report which appeared in the
Globe in London, report which, OF
course, was promptly denied by the
Wolff bureau.
Three days later we were winding
our way in the smooth water between
the island of Smolen and the Hatlerns.
that rocky archipelago little north OF
Christiansund. The emperor, whom
his royal spouse regarded with great
est concern, seemed to have recovered.
I had had a most strenuous time, for
his majesty had dictated all sorts OF
wild dispatches and made all sorts
of extraordinary dismissals Of high Of
ficials, together with the most amazing
appointments.
Beneath his eye 1 had been COM
PEELED to seal up the papers In the
heavy leather dispatch bag, and they
had been landed with the imperial
courier, one Natzmer, at the little fish
ing village Of Fosnaes, at the entrance
to the Folden fjord.
Another matter which greatly per-
turbed me was the fact that my as
sistant, the personal adjutant, young
Rudolph Won Lantzsch, had, while
listening to the kaiser's astounding
sermon, exclaimed in his amazement,
and loud enough for all to hear:
''That man is no emperor; he Is
crazyT
The kaiser had heard him, and had
turned bis eyes towards him for an in
slant without pausing. But well did 1
know the fierce imperial vindlctive-
ness.
In desperation sought the en-
press in her pale-blue-and-gold salon.
I found her seated alone. l referred
to the unfortunate events, and begged
her to allow me to use the wireless
and sign an imperial order in her au-
gust name.
I could see that the poor lady was
greatly upset and extremely nervous.
"It is all most unfortunate, Count
Won Heltzendorff," she said. Il only
hope that we may be- able to prevent
the people from hearing of his majes-
tvs actions. 1t was truly regrettable
that Captain Won Lantzsch should have
made that very untimely remark. The
emperor is absolutely furious regard
ing it."
every naturally" 1 said. "Lantzsch
showed a great want Of tact. But, your
majesty" 1 went on, Il am more per-
turbed regarding the contents Of the
dispatch bag now on its way to Ber-
lin. Natzmer. Is now travelling by road
to Trondhjem. where he is due at noon
tomorrow. Thence by rail he will go
down to Christiania and ON by the de-
stroyer awaiting him to Hamburg. He
will be in Berlin on Thursday"
Il agree The bag should be
stopped" said the empress. 'Yet I
fear what the emperor may think If I
assume his authority. Cannot you ef-
feet 1t by any other means?"
Stopping the Dispatch Bag.
revealed to her some of the dis
missals. There were insulting notes
addressed to the imperial chancellor
and also to the crown prince, and an
open declaration Of war to the French
ambassador in Berlin.
Her majesty. in her gray silk gown,
sat there, pale and nervous. Somebody
tapped at the door, but she replied ::
II am engaged. Come later"
II will endeavor to do my BEST" 1
went on. providing that your majesty
will support me-"
II certainly will. These dispatches
must be stopped at all hazards" she
said. Cannot you yourself land and
overtake the cOurfer?"
1t was wild suggestion. Natzmer
had gone off in the steam pinnace an
hour before, and the boat, returning,
had already been hauled up. I could
not step ashore for at least couple
of hours, and then at some point on
that rugged coast where I might be
compelled to drive by some circuitous
rout by carriole down to Trondhjem.
Further, the emperor would miss me,
and would consequently suspect.
In few brief sentences l pointed
all this out to the empress.
"Try-do try-for our empires
sake!" she urged. II will assist you
with all my efforts. You must arrive
at the imperial chancellery prior to
those dispatches. The emperor Is not
himself. Count Won Heltzendorff, you
are a trusted servant Of our house.
Into your hands I place the solution
Of this most difficult problem"
"Will not your majesty allow me to
wire in your name to our legation in
Christiania to recall the courier?" I
suggested. 81 will send wireless mes
sage which the minister, Won Petsch,
will receive within couple of hours,
and watch will then be kept for his
arrival by train. To Overtake him
now is, feel sure, impossible.
For the next few seconds the kais-
erin was undecided. To reverse the
orders Of her imperial husband was
a1..oa+ r,oro fhon che darod Tn her