News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1917-07-11

peror's study and secreted myself be-
meath a great damask-covered settee
which runs along the wall opposite the
door. For nearly an hour 1 remained
there, when the door was opened
stealthily, and there entered the young
man whom l 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 a moment later crept
out again, closing the door noiselessly.
Quickly I came forth and took up
the classical dictionary, a copy Of
which was usually upon the emperor's
table. 1t presented just the same ap-
pearance as the book that Brosch had
taken away, only it was considerably
heavier.
A Narrow Escape.
Without delay, I dashed out, sought
the .emperor's valet, and was admitted
to his majesty's presence.
Three minutes later we were both in
the study. took up the book and held
it to his ear. Just as I had heard, he
could detect the faint ticking of
watch within.
The book had been followed out and
a bomb inserted! 1t was, no doubt.
set to explode between eight and nine
o'clock, when the emperor would be
at his desk.
"Take it out quickly!" shrieked the
kaiser, in terror, when he realized the
true import of the plot
In obedience, handling the book very
carefully, l rushed with it downstairs,
out into the open. l placed it on the
grass some distance away, while the
emperor followed me, utterly astound-
ed at the discovery.
Having deposited it, I dashed back
to where the emperor was standing
Upon the steps, greatly to the surprise
of the sentries, when hardly had I
reached him than there showed a
bloo6,red flash, followed by a terrific
report and concussion-an explosion
which would have blown the emperor's
head off as he sat.
instantly realizing what narrow es-
cape he had had, while the noise
caused the greatest alarm and people
began rushing hither and thither to
ascertain the cause.
In few seconds his majesty was
calm again.
"Say nothing of this, Heltzendorff,"
he said. LET it remain a mystery.
Come upstairs, and / will speak on the
telephone to the police"
"Your majesty gave the matter I'M
into my hands," reminded
him.
"Ah, that is so; l. forgot" he ex-
claimed, and after thanking me he
added "Take what steps you like,
out have the offenders punished, and
also try to find out who sent me that
warning"
The young valet, who had been, no
loubt, heavily bribed by Minckwitz to
substitute the book, had already dis
appeared, and, as a matter of fact, has
lever been seen since in Germany.
The man Minckwitz had also, 1t
eemed, suddenly left Hanover on the
light Of my departure, for Hartwieg,
him, reported to me by wire
hat he was in Paris.
What | Learned in Paris.
Without delay I travelled to the
french capital, saw my old friend,
maud of the Surete, and told him
he whole story, explaining in conf
ence that for some mysterious rea-
on the crown prince feared that If
he man were arrested, he might reveal
unpleasant.
81 quite understand" replied the
rench detective, with a smile. 81
now that, six months ago, while the
rown prince was in Paris, he was one
light enticed into the gaming house
ept by the notorious Minckwitz.
here quarrel ensued, and the crown
rince, fearing attack, drew his re-
oliver, which went off and shot one of
-inckwitz's cOnfederates stone-dead.
aging big sums to hush up the af-
lir.
"Until recently Minckwitz conceived
lie idea that if the emperor died and
lie crown prince came to the throne,
would mean to him considerably
ore money each year. Therefore he
,nceived that diabolical plot.
armed the crown prince of it, and he
reatened to expose Annckwitz and
i've him arrested. Minckwitz, IN turn,
reatened that if his highness made
e slightest movement to thwart his
ans, he would expose to the world
at the German crown prince, during
S latest escapade in the Montmartre,
ID killed a man. Finding this to be
e case, l myself wrote that anony-
Gus letter Of warning, which 1 ads
essed t. the emperor"
"And which has had the effect Of
wing his majesty's life" l remarked.
That night Minckwitz found himself
rested upon a charge of blackmailing
nObleman, and was later
sentenced TO Is years imprison-
mt.
In his solitary hours in prison he
ten wonders, | expect, why his das-