The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-08-24

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prince" she said presently. "You prob
ably do not know the true reason of
his visit here to Nice?"
mo-" / said. II admit that / do
not. Why is he here"
ut Is secret of his own. But,
am aware of the reason, and that Is
why have sought you. Would 1t sur
| prise you IL / told you that in GER
| tain quarter In France it WILL In few
days, be known that the German EN-
peror is establishing movement for
an entente between Germany and Brit
ain, and that the whole affair is based
upon fraud? The emperor wants no
entente, but only war with France and
with Britain. The whole plot will be
exposed In few daysl"
From what source have you de-
rived this knowledge?" / asked, look
ing at her in amazement.
But she again smiled mysteriously,
and said:
II merely tell you this in order to
prove to you that I am in possession
of certain facts known to but few peo-
pie"
"You evidently are" I said. "But
who intends to betray the truth to
France?"
II regret, count, that I cannot an
swer your question"
IF you are, as you say, the crown
princes friend, it would surely be a
| friendly act to let us know the truth,
so that steps may be taken, perhaps,
to avoid the secret of Germany's diplo-
macy from leaking out to her enc
miles,"
"All can tell you. count is that the
matter is one of the gravest impor-
! tance"
"But will you not speak openly, and
| give us the actual facts?"
II will-but to his imperial highness
alone" was her answer.
IF his highness will honor me with
an interview, then l will reveal all /
know, and, further, will suggest a
means of preventing the truth from
leaking out"
| "But you are French" said.
II have told you So" she laughed.
'But probably his highness will refuse
to see Julie de Rouville, therefore,
think 1t best If you show him this"
| From her little gold chain-purse she
| produced small, unmounted photo
| graph of herself, and handed 1t to me.
when he recognizes who wishes to
| see him he will understand" she said,
in quiet, refined voice. "a letter adj
dressed to Julie de Rouville at the
| Post Restante at Marseilles will quick
ly find me. do not wish the letter
to be sent to me here. From Mar
| settles l shall duly receive it,"
/ was silent for few moments.
II confess" / exclaimed at last. 81
confess l do not exactly see the neces-
sity for an interview with his high
ness, when whatever you tell meas
his personal adjutant-will be regard
ed as strictly in confidence"
Il have already said, Count Won
Heltzendorff. that I am his highness'
friend, and wish to approach him with
motives of friendship"
"You wish for no payment for this
information, eh?" asked suspiciously,
half believing that she might be Sc
cret agent of France.
"Payment-of course not y she an
swered, half Indignantly. "Show that
photograph to the crown prince, and
tell him that apply for an interview"
Then, rather abruptly, she rose and
walked away, leaving me with her pho
tograph in my hand.
The crown prince was out motoring,
and did not get back to the villa until
after seven o'clock.
AS soon as / heard of his return
went to his room and recounted my
strange adventure with the dark
haired young woman in black. He be-
came keenly interested, and the more
so when 1 told him of her secret
knowledge of the kaiser's intended es-
tablishment of a bogus entente with
Great Britain.
"She wishes to see you," I said.
sand she told me to give you her pho
tograph."
handed 1t to him.
At sight of 1t his face Instantly
changed. He held his breath and then
examined the photograph beneath the
light.
Next second, however, he had recov-
cred his self-possession and said:
"Yes, of course, know her. She