Williams news., 1917-08-30

"court" size-linen-lined, as are all en- velopes used by the emperor for his | private correspondence. saw it had been sealed in black by his own hand. Then, as he handed it to me, he said "Go to Dresden as quickly as pos sible and obtain a reply to this." I clicked my heels together, and, saluting, left upon my secret mission | to the Saxon court. The letter was addressed to Baron Georg von Metzsch at Dresden. Next day, when presented it to the tall, thin controller of the household, saw that its contents greatly puzzled him.
 He wrote reply, and as imperial messenger, returned atsonce to Pots dam, handing 1t to the emperor as he strOde alone from the Shell salon, through which he was passing after dinner.
 He took it from my hand without a word, tore open the envelope, read its contents, and then smiled contentedly, after which went to old Won Donau- stauf's room, and smoked good cigar in his company.
 The Crown Princess Calls. Next day we were all back at the Berlin Schloss. During the morning his majesty inspected the Berlin gar I rison in the Tempelhofer Field, and the Princess Louisa rode with him. That same afternoon, while was busy writing in the long room al- lotted to me in the Berlin Schloss, her imperial highness, to my surprise, en- tered, closing the door quietly after her.
 Count von Heltzendorff, you have been on secret mission to that spy, Won Metzsch, in Dresden, have you I not?"
 rose, bowed, and without replying courteously offered her a chair.
 "Why do you not admit it?" she asked quickly.
 Princess, if the emperor gives me orders to preserve secrecy, then it is my duty to obey" said. 'f khow," she answered, and then I realized how upset and nervous she
 
 and has put about all sorts of scandal | ous reports concerning me. An 1! count" she sighed, "you do not know how very unhappy I am-how I am surrounded by enemies !"
 "I much regret to hear that" said. ''But your imperial highness has also many friends, of whom hope I may be permitted to number myself" "Ah! it is extremely good of you to say that-very good. If you really are my friend, then you can help me. You are in a position to watch and discover what is in progress-the req son the emperor exchanges those con- stant condolences with Won Metzsch, the man who twisted my husband around his little finger, and who has, with my lady-of-the-bedcham Frau von Fritsch, already poisoned his mind against me. An! you have no idea how much have suffered!"
 She seemed on the verge of nerv- ous crisis, for I saw that in her fine eyes stood the light of unshed tears, and I confess I was much puzzled, for had certainly believed, up to that moment, that she was on excellent terms with her husband.
 "But surely his highness, the crown prince of SaXony, does not believe any of those wicked reports" said.
 "Ah! Then you have heard. Of course, you have. Von Metzsch has taken good care to let the whole world know the lies that he and the Countess Paule Starhemberg have concocted be- tween them. It is cruel! It is wicked!"
 "No, no. Calm yourself, princess!" I urged sympathetically. q am at least your friend, and will act as such, should occasion arise."
 "Ah!" she exclaimed in a low voice. ''I fear I shall require the assistance of a friend very soon. Do you recol- lect my broken pearls?"
 And Q few moments later she left the room.
 "You Lie!"
 Through all that day and the next I wondered what underhand work could be in progress. pitied the good looking, unconventional imperial prin- cess who, because of her somewhat hoydenish high spirits, had aroused the storm of anger and jealousy in the Saxon court. But the HapSburgs had