The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-08-18


the Pruth. 1 know, too, how he
laughed with my husband at the clever
ness by which he is fooling the too
trustful Turks. T.
Pardon, madame" I said, interrupt
ing her, and speaking in French, ''but
is it 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-
ceals little, if anything, from me-"
1 looked the pretty young woman
straight in the face in fear and re-
greet.
Instantly I realized the serious dan
ger Of the secret being betrayed to
France.
Madame, said. ''If I may be per
mitted, 1 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"
Il know" she said THAT is just
why 1 have ventured to come here to
consult you, monsieurI You have been
my good friend as well as my hus-
bands, and here today, while the en-
peror is our guest beneath our roof,
feel that 1 am in greatest periII''
'Why?" I asked with considerable
surprise.
1.-The emperor has already learned
that I know the truth regarding his
secret" was her slow reply. by what
means his majesty discovered it, /,
alas know not. But do know from
a confidential quarter that have in
CURED the emperOr's gravest displeas-
ure and hatred
"Who is your infOrmant?'' I 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?'
81 have not uttered a word to a sin
gle soul except my husband. 1 swear
it"
your husband was extremely indis-
Greet in revealing anything declared
again quite frankly.
Il fully admit that But what can
7 do? How shall I act?'' she asked in
a low, tense voice. advise me, do"
For some moments 1 remained 81
lent. The situation was difficult.
''WeIl, madame" replied after re-
Election, eff you are really ready to
promise the strictest secrecy and leave
the matter to me, Will. eudeavor to
find a way out of the difficulty-provid-
ing you-good German that you are
by marriage-wilI 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 in her fine dark eyes.
In that case, then, please leave
the matter entirely in my hands,"
said.
That same night, about ten o'clock,
the emperor entered the room to which
I had just returned to work.
'Send Frau Kleist to me-" he
snapped. ''And I will summon you
later when want you, Heltzendorff."
Frau Kleisti had no idea the wOm-
an had arrived at the castle. But dis
patched one of the servants to search
| for her, and afterwards heard her high
pitched voice as she assembled = the
stairs to hold secret counsel with his
majesty.
Below I found the fat, fair-haired
little doctor from Augsburg. who was
| still an enigma, but eager to see his
| imperial patient.
Suddenly one of the imperial fun
keys bowed at the door, commanding
| the doctor TO the royal presence, and
he left me, hot and flurried.
Had the emperor called the unknown
doctor into consultation with Frau
Kleist?
Inquiries I had made concerning the
doctor from Augsburg showed that he
was quite a well-known specialist on
mental diseases, and he had also writ
/ ten a textbook upon bacterioIogy and
1 the brain. Why had the kaiser sum-
moned him? He required no brain
specialist.
ave leave tomorrow at noon," the
emperor exclaimed brusquely when, an
hour later, 1 was summoned tc his
room. This amazed me, for our ar
rangements were to remain three days
longer. 1 recollected Madam Reit-
schel's words.
Il do not feel at all WELL" his males
| ty added, land this Doctor Vollerthun
orders me rest at POtsdam-"
In silence I bowed, and then ven
tured to refer to what was uppermost
in my mind
May be permitted to speak to your
majesty upon a certain confidential
subject2" I begged.
what subject?" snapped the en-
peror.
your majesty's negotiations with
the sultan OF Turkey. Frau Reit-
scheI has learned Of them, but she Is
eager to come before you and take
an oath OF entire secrecy"
The kaiser's eyes narrowed and
gIowed in sudden anger.
A Woman's Oath.
"a woman's oath 70 he cried. bah
Never have I believed In silence i'm
posed upon any woman's tongue
more especially that Of a born enemy
I appreciate your loyalty and acumen