The Ordway new era., 1917-08-17

| prince" she said presently. You PROB
ably do not know the true reason OF
his visit here to Nicer
"No," I said. ~ admit that l do
not. Why is he here?'
at is secret Of his own. But. l
am aware of the reason. and that Is
| why l have sought you. Would 1t sur
prise you If told you that in GER
tain quarter In France IL 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 days.!
From what source have you de-
rived this knowledge" l asked, look
! ing at her in amazement.
But she again smiled mysteriously.
and said:
~ merely tell you this in order to
prove to you that am in possession
of certain facts known to but few peo-
| pie"
"You evidently are" I said. "But
who intends to beray the truth to
| France?"
II regret. count. that I cannot an
| swer your question"
"If you are, as you say, the crown
princes friend, 1t 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
mics"
"All l can tell you. count, is that the
matter Is one of the gravest ilnpor
! tance"
"But will you not speak openly, and
give us the actual factsI
81 will-but to his imperial hlghness
alone" was her answer.
"If his highness will honor me witt
an interview, then l will reveal all
know. and, further. will suggest q
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 refus,
/ ~ STE Jullt w
think it best if you show him this"
From her little gold chain-purSe she
produced small. unmounted photo
graph of herself, and handed it to me
"When he recognizes who wishes tt
see him he will understand" she said
in quiet. refined voice. "A letter ad
dressed to Julie de Rouvlle at til,
Post Restante at Marseilles will quick
ly find Inc. I do not wish the Letter
to be sent to me here. From Mar
.seilles I shall duly receive it"
I was silent for few moments.
II confess l exclaimed at last. I"
confess l do not exactly see the neces
sity for an interview with his high
ness. when whatever you tell me-a
his personal adjutant-will be regard
ed as strictly in confidence"
Il have already said, Count Vol
| HeltzendOrff, that I am his highness
friend, and wish to approach him witt
! motives of friendship"
J "You wish for no payment for thi
information, eh?" asked suspiciously
half believing that she might be sc
cret agent of France.
"Payment-of course not !" she an
swered, half Indignantly. "Show tina
photograph to the crown prince, an,
tell him that apply for an interview.
7 Then. rather abruptly, she rose an
: 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 unit
2 after seven o'clock.
AS soon as l heard of his return
2 went to his room and recounted m
2 strange adventure with the darl
e haired young woman In black. He b,
! came keenly interested, and the NOR
SO when l told him of her secre
knowledge Of the kaiser's Intended e,
: tablishment Of bogus entente wit
Great Britain.
"She wishes to see you," I sal,
$ "And she told me to give you her ph,
t tograph."
handed 1t to him.
! At sight Of 1t his face Instant
changed. He held his breath and the
examined the photograph beneath Il
3 Hight. 4
Next second, however, he had rsce
!. cred his ssif-posse essioa And said:
y sxes, q courss, know ~. b