The Carlisle independent., 1917-08-16

came even more mystified by his ac- tions few days later.
 I was in ignorance that fortnight before Hermann Hardt. one of his highness' couriers, had left Potsdam and on arrival at Nice had rented for three months the fine Villa Lilas. We soon settled there and on the evening of our arrival I accompanied the crown prince down into the town to the Jetee promenade. We smoked together and chatted. as We often did when his imperial high ness became bored. 1 was still mysti- so early in the season. Yet our coming had. no doubt, been privately signaled, because within half an hour of our arrival at the Villa Lilas short stout old Frenchmans with white. bristly hair-who 1 af- terward found out was Monsieur Paul Bavouzet, the newly appointed prefect of the department of Alpes-Maritimes called, to leave his card, upon the ] Count von Grunau.
 l The imperial incognito only means i that the public are to be deluded. Offi- cialdom never is They know the ruse, and support it all the world over. His l highness the crown prince was paying ] his annual visit to Nice. and the presi- dent had sent his compliments through his representative, the bristly-haired i little prefect.
 As departed from the crown prince, 1 who yawned and declared that he was | tired, he said:
 "Ah! HeltZendorff How good it is ] to get a breath of soft air from the Mediterranean, We shall have port on this pleasant sea one day-n we l live as long-eh?"
 1 That remark showed the trend of events. It showed how, hand in hand with the emperor, he was urging prep
 arations for war-a war that had for it's primary object the destruction of
 the powers which. when the volcano | erupted, united as allies. | The Mysterious Lady. After we had been at the Villa Lilas about ten days I was one afternoon
 seated outside the popular Cafe de | FOpera, in the Place MasSena, when l lady. dressed in deep mourning and wearing the heavy veil in French style, passed along the pavement. glanced at
 me, and then, hesitating, she turned,
 and. coming back, advanced to the lit l tie table in the corner whereat l was 1 sitting.
 May I be permitted to have a word i with you. monsieur:" she asked In 1 French. in q low, refined voice.
 Certainly" was my reply, and, l
 rose and drew chair for her.
 She glanced round quickly, as | though to satisfy herself that she i would not be overheard. 1 saw that she was about twenty-four, handsome, l dark k-haired, with well-cut features.
 s.I know, monsieur, that am con- 1 plete stranger to you," she exclaimed 1 with a smile, but to me you are quite familiar by sight. I have passed you many times in Berlin and in Potsdam, and I know that you are Count von l Heltzendorff, personal adjutant to his | highness the crown prince-or Count 1 yon Grunau, as he is known here in l France"
 You know that" I exclaimed.
 She smiled mysteriously, replying !: ''Yes I-well, I happen to be friend of his highness.'
 1 I held my breath. So this pretty
 young Frenchwoman was one of my
 imps,al masters friends!
 The tact is" she went on, Ai have travelled considerable distance to see
 you. I sad that I was one of the
 crown princes friends. Please do not
 misunderstood me. 1 know that he
 has good many friends, but l have never been introduced to him. and he
 does not know me. l am his friend 1 because of a certain friendliness to-
 ward him.
 Really. madame, I don't quite un- .:srstand," said.
 Of course not" she answered. and then. giancing round, she added: This
 place is a little too public. Cannot
 we go across the garden yonder?" rose and walked with her to q
 quiet spot in the gardens.
 She told me that her name was
 Julie de Rouville. but she would give
 no account of where she lived.
 T have ventured to approach you,
 because I cannot approach the crown