The Washington times., 1917-04-22

with Minckwitz, whom she met as
though accidentally, to notice my
presence.
Then, at last, the musician raised
his hat and left her, rejoining the
young man Brosch.
The pair went to a bookshop IN the
Herschenstrasse, and presently, when
they came forth again, Brosch was
carrying a good-sized volume wrapped
in brown paper.
My curiosity was aroused, therefore
I went into the shop, made pur-
chase, and leaned from the shopman
that the younger of the pair had pur-
chased a wellknown German refer-
ence book, Professor NebendahPs
Dictionary of Classical Quotations.
Strange that such q book should De
purchased by an under-valet!
Leaving the detective, Hartwieg' TO
watch, l took the next train TO Pots-
dam, where / was fortunate enough 10
find the Emperor giving audience 10
the imperial chancellor. At the con-
elusion OF the audience ! sought, ana
was accorded, a private interview, al
which 1 recalled his matesty's anx-
iety to ascertain something regarding
the man Minckwitz.
"well-and have you found him?'
asker the Emperor. very egerly.
replied in the affirmative. Then he
told me something which held me
! breathless, for, unlocking a drawer,
he showed me an anonymous letter Of
warning he had received, a letter
which, posted In Paris, stated that an
attempt was to be made upon his life,
and limiting that the crown prince
might be aware Of it -
"of course" he laughed, @T do not
regard It seriously, but I thought we
ought to know the whereabouts of
this man Minckwitz, who is probably
an anarchist"
"wTl your majesty leave the mat
ter entirely In my hands" suggest
ed. THE police must not be In
formed"
att shall be as you wish. give you
authority to act just as you deem best
II you really anticipate danger"
81 do anticipate it." replied. and a
few moments later bowed myself out
of the imperial presence.
During that day fdled about the
palace, gossiping with the officials
and danes du palais, awaiting the re-
turn of the young man Brosch. That
night he did not come back. but he ar.
rived at the palace about z o'clock on
the following morning. The head
valet was furious at his absence, but
the young man made a very plausible
excuse that his sister out at Lichten
berg was very dangerously Ill
I had had no sleep that night, but
as soon as / was informed of the
under-valet's return. repaired to the
Emperor's study and secreted myself
beneath q great damask-covered set
tee which runs along the wall oppo
site the door. For nearly an hour
remained there, when the door was
opened stealthily and there entered
the young man whom I had seen In
Hanover on the previous day. He
carried a book in his hand. This he
swiftly exchanged for another similar
book OF the same appearance, and g
moment later crept out again, closing
the door noiselessly.
Quickly I came forth and took ur
the classical dictionary. a copy OF
which was usually upon the Emper
or's table It presented just the same
appearance as the book that Brosch
had taken away. only It was consider
ably heavier.
Marrow Escape.
Without delay dashed out, sought
the Emperor's valet, and was admit,
ted to his majesty's presence.
Three minutes later we were both
in the study. I took up the book anC
held IL to his ear. Just as. haC
heard. he could detect the faint tick.
ing OF a watch within.
The book had been followed ou
and a time bomb inserted! II was, NJ
doubt, set to explode between and !
o'clock, when the Emperor would b,
at his desk
Take It out quicklyi- shrieked tn,
Kaiser in terror. when he realized tn
true import OF the plot.
In obedience, handling the bool
very carefully, I rushed with IL down
stairs out into the open. I placed
on the grass some distance away
while the Emperor followed me, ut
terly astounded at the discovery.
/. Having deposited IT, dashed bacl
to where the Emperor was standing
upon the steps, greatly to the surpris
OF the sentries, when hardly had
reached him than there showed
blood-red flash, followed by a terrifi
report and concussion-an explosion
which, had II occurred In the upstair
study, must have blown the Emperor
head of as he sat.
His majesty stood white and rigid
Instantly realizing what a narrow e,
cape he had had. while the nois
caused the greatest alarm, and peopl
began rushing hither and thither {
ascertain the cause.
In n few seconds his majesty wa
calm again.
SAY nothing OF this Heltzendorff.
he said. Let II remain a mystery
Come upstairs and will speak on tn
telephone to the police"
"Your majesty gave the matter un
reservedly into my hands," I reminC
ed him
"Ah, that is so. forgot" he ex
claimed, and after thanking me, h
added: Take what steps you lIk,
but have the offenders punished, an
also try to discover who sent me tina
anonymous warning"
The young. valet, who had been, n
; doubt, heavily bribed by Minckwitz {
) substitute the book, had already dis
appeared, and, as a matter of fac
has never been seen since in Gel
many.
The man Minckwitz had also,
seemed, suddenly left Hanover on tn
night OF my departure. for Hartwiee
following him, reported to me by wir
that he was in Paris.
, without delay I Travelled to tn
French capital. saw my old friend p
maud, of the Surete. and told him tn
, whole story, explaining in confidenc