American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-08-24

followed us daily wherever we might
be.
About midday Doctor Vollerthun was
ushered in to me-a 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 a light tap came at the door, and
l saw my hostess standing upon the
threshold.
She was quietly but elegantly
dressed, presenting the true type of the
smart Parisienne, but In an instant l
realized that she was very pale and
agltated. Indeed, her voice trembled
when she asked permission to enter.
Since her marriage l had many times
chatted with her, for she often came
to the palace when her husband visited
Berlin. / had danced with her l had
taken her into dinner at various houses
where we met, always finding her a
bright and very intellectual compan-
ion.
She quietly closed the door and ad-
vanced to the table from which l had
risen.
"Count Won Heltzendorffp she ex-
claimed in a low, strained voice. Il
have come to seek your aid because
well, because I'm distracted, and /
know that you are my husbands
friend" she exclaimed in French.
"And yours also, madam" l said ear
nestly.
my husband is out with the emper-
or !" she gasped in a curious, unnerved
tone. "And l fear; oh, 1 fear that we
are in great peril-deadly peril, every
hour-every momentl"
Really, madame, I hardly follow
you" 1 said.
my husband, whom 1 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 l have watched,
and have learned the truth I 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
eItne, 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
t%rustful Turks. T."
Pardon, madame" 1 said, interrupt
ing her, and speaking in French. but
is It really wise to speak thus Of the
emperor? Your husband is, 1 fear.
guilty of great indiscretion in mention
ing such matters"
Il am his wife, count, and he con
ceals little, if anything, from me-"
I looked the pretty young woman
straight in the face in fear and re-
greet.
.
i''o"liS ! Ie"ilAeu me serious dam
sel u Tue secret Delng betrayed to
ri"uce
Madame" I said. IF may be per-
mitted, l would urge that the emper-
VI ; uiplonacy neither concerns your
HusDunu' as an oihcial, mol yourself.
II - ms own private affair, and should
neither be discussed nor betrayed"
| Know she said. THAT is just
why nave ventured to come here to
consult You, monsieur! You have bean
ny GOOD friend as well as my hus-
o"'lu : ana mere today while the EN-
peror IS our guest beneath our roof. l
leel lnal / am ~ greatest peril.'
Why l asked With considerable
surllIlse'
emperor has already learned
1'"1 l Nho" me truth regarding his
se|e'' was her slow reply. by what
means nus majesty discovered it. I,
u'as know not. But I do know from
d connuehtlal quarter that I have in