New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-08-10


secret to the grand vizier to secure
the escape of the Russian army across
the Pruth. l know, too, how he
laughed with my husband ut the clever
ness by which he is fooling the toe
trustful Turks. /"
Pardon. madame" I said, interrupt
ing her, and speaking In French. 'but
Is 1t really wise to speak thus of the
emperor? Your husband Is, | fear
guilty of great indiscretion In mention
Ing such matters"
Il am his wife. count, and he con-
cehls little, if anything, from me-"
looked the pretty young woman
straight In the face In fenr and re-
gret.
Instantly | realized the serious dam
ger of the secret being betrayed to
France.
"Mndame," | said. IF ! may be per-
miited. ! would urge that the emper-
or's diplomacy neither concerns your
husband, as an official, nor yourself.
1t Is his own private affair, and should
neither be discussed nor betrayed"
II know" she said. "That is just
why ! have ventured to come here to
consult you, monsieur You have been
my good friend as well as my hus-
bands. and here today. while the en-
peror Is our guest beneath u roof, |
feel that | am in greatest PERIL"
"Why:' l asked with considerable
surprise.
"The emperor hns already learned
that ! know the truth regarding his
secret was her slow reply. "By what
means his majesty discovered 1t. l.,
alas! know not. But | DO know from
a confidential quarter that I have in
cured the emperor's gravest dlspleas-
ure and hatred"
"Who is your informant?" inquired
sternly, eager to further investigate
the great intrigue.
"A certain person who must be name
less
Have you spoken to anybody Of the
emperor's secret plans In Turkey, or
of his possession of the Empress Cath
crimes jewels?"
IL have not uttered n word to a sim
gle soul except my husband. swear
IT,"
"YOur husband was extremely indis-
Greet in revealing anything" ! declared
again quite frankly.
81 fully admit that. But what can
l do? How shall | act?" she asked in
n low, tense voice. advise me. do"
For some moments | remained ST.
lent. The situation was difficult.
"Well, madame" l replied after re-
Election. "if you are really ready to
promise the strictest secrecy and leave
the matter TO me, I will endeavor to
find n way out Of the dificnlty-provid-
Ing you-gOod German that you are
by marriage-will take, before the en-
perOr himself, an oath Of complete
secrecy"
81 am ready to do anything-any-
thing for my dear husbands sake" the
handsome young woman assured me,
tears yelling I'm her fine dark eyes.
I'm that case. then, please leave
the matter entirely in my Eands,"
said.
That same night. about ten o'clock, |
the emperor entered the room to which
l had just returned to work.
"Send Frau Kleist to me-" he
snapped. "And I will summon you
when I want you. Heltzendorff."
Frau Kleist! l had nc idea the wom-
an had arrived at the castle. But | dis
patched n of TIE servants to search
for her, and afterwards heard her high
voice as she assembled the
majesty.
Below | found the fat, fair-hairpd
little doctor from Augsburg. who was
still an enigma. but eager to see his
patient.
Suddenly one Of the imperial fun
bowed at the door. commanding
he doctor to the royal presence. and
left me, hot and flurried.
Had the emperor called the unknown
into consultation with Frau
Inquiries | had made concerning the
loctOr from Augsburg showed that he
vas quite Il w~ell-knOwn specialist on
mental diseases, and he had also writ
II textbook upon bacteri0lOgy and
he brain. Why had the kaiser sum-
nOned him? He required no brain
peclalist.
I'VE leave tomorrow Mt noon" the
mperor exclaimed brusquely when, an :
lOur later. | was summoned to his
Dom. This amazed me. for our ar
angements were to remain three days
niger. | recOllected Madam Reit-
chefs words.
II do not feel at all WELL" his males !
added, land this Doctor vollerthun :
rders me rest at P%Otsdam." l
In silence l bowed. and then VEN :
Ired to refer to what was uppermost =
/ my mind. =,
MAY I be permitted to speak TO your =
upon a certain confidential y
Ibject?" l begged. !
what subject?" snapped the en- ;
error. .
Your majesty's negotiations with :
lie sultan of Turkey. Frau Reit- :
'hel has learned of them, but she is =
ger TO ONT before you and take =
! oath of entire secrecy" :
The kaiser's eyes narrowed and =
owed In sudden anger.
A Woman's Oath.
"A woman's oathr" he cried. Bah! w
ever have l believed i'm silence i'm r,
,Sed upon any wOman's tongue a