Williams news., 1917-09-13

came even more mystified by his ac- tions few days later.
 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 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. I was still mysti- fled why we had come to the Riviera 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 a short, stout old Frenchman, with white, bristly hair-who I af- terward found out was Monsieur Paul Bavouzet, the newly appointed prefect of the department of Alpes-M called, to leave his card, upon the Count von Grunau.
 The imperial incognito only means that the public are to be deluded. Off, cialdom never is. They know the ruse, and support it all the world over. His his annual visit to Nice, and the presi- dent had sent his compliments through his representative, the bristly-haired little prefect.
 As departed from the crown prince, who yawned and declared that he was tired, he said:
 "Ahl Heltzendorff. How good 1t is to get a breath of soft air from the Mediterranean We shall have port on this pleasant sea one day-if we live as 1ong-eh"
 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 its 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 POpera, in the Place Massena, when a 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 tie table in the corner whereat was sitting.
 "May I be permitted to have word with you, monsieur" she asked in French, in a low, refined voice.
 Certainly" was my reply, and, I rose and drew a chair for her.
 She glanced round quickly, as though to satisfy herself that she would not be overheard. I saw that she was about twenty-four, handsome, dark-haired, with well-cut features.
 "I know, monsieur, that am con- plete stranger to you," she exclaimed 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 Heltzendorff, personal adjutant to his highness the crown prince-or Count von Grunau, as he is known here in France"
 You know that ]" I exclaimed. She smiled mysteriously, replying |: "Yes. well, happen to be a friend of his highness." held my breath. So this pretty young Frenchwoman was one of my imperial masters friendsl "The fact is," she went on, q have travelled a considerable distance to see you. said that I was one of the crown princes friends. Please do not misunderstood me. I know that he has a good many friends, but have never been introduced to him, and he does not know me. I am his friend because of a certain friendliness to- ward him."
 Really, madame, I don't quite un- derstand," I said.
 "Of course not" she answered, and then, glancing round, she added: "This place is a little too public. Cannot we go across the garden yonder?"
 I rose and walked with her to a 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.
 'I have ventured to approach you, because I cannot approach the crown