The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-08-17

/ ptlS Which, u COuIltT nbu UTOukHl
from Berlin two hours before. Papers
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. quickly
handed him over TO the major-domo.
About three o'clock that same after
noon 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 /
realized that she was very pale and
agitated. Indeed, her voice trembled
when she asked permission to enter.
Since her marriage i had many times
chatted with her, for she often came
to the palace when her husband visited
Berlin. l had danced with her; 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 adj
vanced to the table from which l had
risen.
"Count Won Heltzendorff !" she ex-
claimed in low, strained voice. I'll
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-
orr she gasped in curious unnerved
tone. "And l fear; oh, fear that we
are in great peril-deadly peril, every
hour-every moments"
Really, madame, hardly follow
you" l said.
!, My husband, whom | love devoted
/ ", has done his best in the interests
q of his emperor. You, count, know tn
It real aims of the kaiser in Turkey
IS These last six months / have watched
S and have learned the truth! / kno
n how, when the emperor went to Co
d, stantinople five months ago in pr
AZ | lSuCc VI lONdlQ Liz oulld
ne with Professor Vambery as interpl
en- ter, he practically compelled Abe
he Hamid 20 give him, in return for q
tain financial advances, those wond'
to full jewels which the Empress Cat
d. crime, wife of Peter the Great, gave
n secret to the grand vizier to secu
the escape of the Russian army aero
a. the Pruth. / know, too, how
d laughed with my husband at the cleve
;e ness by which he is fooling the to
r trustful Turks. Il"
t pardon, madame" I said, interrupt
d ing her, and speaking in French, 'bu
J. is it really wise to speak thus of tn
/. emperor? Your husband is, I feai
S guilty of great indiscretion in mention
e ing such matters"
/ 81 am his wife, count, and he con
/ ceals little, If anything, from me-"
n l looked the pretty young womal
d straight in the face in fear and re
a greet.
t Instantly l realized the serious dan
e ger of the secret being betrayed t
" France.
N Madame" l said. ''If may be per
mitted, l would urge that the empel
or's diplomacy neither concerns you
husband, as an official. nor yourself
n 1t is his own private affair, and Shout
is neither be discussed nor betrayed"
lie II know" she said. THAT is jus
he why l have ventured to come here
le consult you, monsieur You have bee
- my good friend as well as my hui
H. bands, and here today, while the en-
a peror is our guest beneath our roof,
ne feel that l am in greatest peril y
"Why?" 1 asked with considerab
IS surprise.
d. "The emperor has already learne
n that l know the truth regarding h
i'd secret" was her slow reply. "By wh'
g, means his majesty discovered it,
an alas know not. But do know fro
of confidential quarter that l have i
in Cured the emperor's gravest displea
IT. ure and hatred"
lis "Who is your Informant" inquire
,ot sternly, eager to further investiga
of the great intrigue.
no "a certain person who must be nam
&C. less"
ok 'Have you spoken to anybody Of Il
emperor's secret plans in Turkey,
M of his possession of the Empress Cat
vn crimes jewels?"
he 81 have not uttered a word to 81
at gle soul except my husband. l swe
of it,"
fe, "Your husband was extremely ind
nd Greet in revealing anything" / declar
ats again quite frankly.
III 81 fully admit that. But what CT
he / do? How shall act?" she asked
Dst low, tense voice. "Advise me, do"
For some moments / remained
a lent. The situation was difficult.
lst swell, madame" / replied after I
in Election, 'if you are really ready
err promise the strictest secrecy and lea
re, the matter to me, I will endeavor
Ill, find a way out of the difficulty-provi