The Harrison times., 1917-06-16


moment later the tall officer clicked his
heels together and saluted smartly on
the threshold.
81 thought you would be pleased at
your well-merited promotion" said his
highness in quite a genial tone. "The
emperor wishes you TO leave for Lon
don by the ten O'Clock express for
Flushing tonight, so as TO report to his
excellency the ambassador before he
departs on leave. Hence the urgency.
The countess, of course, will remain in
Berlin. You will. naturally, wish for
time to make your arrangements in
London and dispose of your house
here"
And with those words the major was
dismissed.
"a charming man. remarked the
prince, after the door had closed.
"HeItzendorff," he exclaimed few
moments later, after he had reflected
deeply between the whiffs of his ciga-
rette. "Heltzendorff, wish you to be-
come acquainted with the Countess
Won Leutenberg, and you must after
ward introduce me. have fixed and
distinct reason. | could obtain the as
sistance of others, but l trust you
only"
But do not know the lady" / pro-
tested, for | had no desire whatsoever
to become implicated in any double
dealing.
"HOhenstein knows her well. l will
see that he introduces yOu," replied the
ksiser's son. "Shes uncOmmonly pref
ty, so mind you don't fall in love with
her I've heard, too, that Count George
is a highly jealous person, but, for
tunately, he will be very busy writing
secret reports at Carlton House Ter
race SO go and see HOhenstein at
once, and get him to introduce you to
the pretty little EnglishwOman. But,
remember, not a word of this CONVEX
sation is to be breathed to a single
soul"
"His Majesty Only Gives Reward
When 1t Is Due"
What did it all mean? Why had
the emperor singled out for advance
ment the husband of the woman, the
sight of whom had so greatly annoyed
him? / confess that / became more
than ever puzzled over the curious af-
fair
Within a week, however, thanks to
the introduction of Hohenstein, | had
dined at Count Won Leutenberg'S pref
ty house in the Lennestrasse in fine
room, the long windows of which COM
manded a delightful view over the
Tiergarten and the Siegesallee.
The countess, extremely charming
and refined, having the misfortune of
being English, had not been taken up
warmly by Berlin society. She was, |
found, a most delightful hostess. The
party included Laroque, the elegant
first secretary of the French embassy,
and his Partisan wife, together with
Baron Hoffman,, the burly, round
faced minister Of the interior, and Doc
tor Paulssen, under-secretary at the
colonial office. Hohenstein was, how
ever, not here, as he had been suddenly
dispatched by the emperor upon mis-
sion to Corfu.
At the table the talk ran upon Leu
tenberg's sudden promotion, where
upon the Minister Hoffman, declared:
'Iis majesty only gives reward
when it is due. When he discerns tai
ent he is never mistaken"
A week later the crown prince had
returned from surprise visit the
kaiser had made to Stettin.. The en-
peror had played his old game of rOus-
ing the garrison in the middle Of the
night, and then laughing at the ludi-
crous figures cut by his pompous gen.
erals and colonels rushing about in
their night attire eager to greet their
sovereign.
| was in the princes private room
arranging the details of military pro-
gram at Potsdam on the following day
when he suddenly entered and ex-
claimed:
"Well, Heltzendorff, and how are
you proceeding in the Lennestrasse,
eh?" and he looked at me with those
crafty eyes Of his. 81 hear you were at
the house last night"
/ started. Was l being watched?
1t was quite true that / had called on
the previous evening, and, finding the
countess alone, had sat in her pretty
drawing-room enjoying long and de-
lightful chat with her.
Eyes. l called there" / admitted.
"The count is returning from London
next week to take his wife back with
him."
A Visit From Count Zeppelin.
The crown prince smiled mysterious
ly, and critically examined the curious
snake ring which he always wears
upon the little finger Of his left hand,
1--WE need not anticipate that l
think. Kiderlen will not grant him
leave. He is far better in Carlton
House Terrace than in the Lenne-
strasse."
81 hardly follow your highness," l
remarked.