The Washington times., 1917-06-10

the smart faTlslenntt pul IN an III
slant l realized that she was very
pale and agitated. Indeed, her voice
trembled when she asked permission
to enter.
Since her marriage had many
times chatted with her, for she often
came to the palace when her husband
visited Berlin. l had danced with
her: ! had taken her in to dinner at
various houses where we met. al
ways finding her a bright and very
intellectual companion.
She quietly closed the door and ad-
vanced to the table from which 1 had
arisen.
Feared For Her Husband.
Count Won Heltzendorfi." she ex-
claimed in a low. strained voice, 81
have come to seek your aid, because
well, because I'm distracted, and
know that you are my husbands
friend" she exclaimed in French.
"And yours also, madame" I said
earnestly.
sAIy husband is out with the En-
peror" she gasped in a cruious, un-
nerved tone. "And fear, oh, l fear
that we are in great peril-deadly
peril every hour-every momentI"
Really, madame, I hardly follow
you" l said.
MY husband, whom love de-
votedly, has done his best In the in
terests OF his Emperor. You, count.
know the real aims OF the Kaiser in
Turkey. These last six months / nave
watched, and have learned the truth.
l know how, when the Emperor went
to Constantinople five months ago in
pretense of friendship toward the
Sultan, with Prof. Vambery as In
terpreter. he practically compelled
Abdul Hamid to give him. in return
for certain financial advances. those
wonderful Jewels which the Empress
Catherine. wife of Peter the Great,
gave in secret to the Grand Vizier TO
secure the escape OF the Russian crmy
across the Pruth. / know, too, how
he laughed with my husband at the
cleverness by which he Is footing the
too trustful Turks. L
Sees Danger of Betrayal.
pardon, madame" 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 men
tIoning such matters.
IT am his wife, count, and ne CON
ceals little. IL anything. from me-"
1 looked the pretty woman straight
in the face IN fear and regret.
Instantly ] realized the serious dan
ger OF the secret being betrayed to
France.
..NIadame." said. "If I may be per
mitted, l would urge that the Emper-
or's diplomacy neither concerns your
husband, as an official, nor yourseii:
n Is his own private AFFAIR, and shouio
neither be discussed nor betrayed
aI know" she said. THAT Is just
,vbv I have ventured TO come here TO
.on.ul, you. Msieur! You have been
~ GOOD friend as well as my hus-
hands. and here today. while the EN-
neror Is our guest beneath our roof
7 feel that 1 am in greatest peril"
sWhy7'' I asked with consioeraOLe
surprise. - Ian,
that I know the truth regarding MS
secret." was her slow reply. by
what means his majesty discovered
n /. alas! know not. But l do know
from a confidential quarter that l
have incurred the Emperor's gravest
displeasure and hatred.
Asks Oath of Secrecy.
"who is your Informant In
ouired sternly, eager to further IN
vestigate the great intrigue.
"a certain person who must be
nameless."
"Haye you spoken to anybody OF
the Fmperor's secret plans In Turkey
or Of his possession OF the Empress
GATHERINGS Jewels"
81 have not uttered a word to
single soul except my husband l
swear it."
aYour husband was extremely indis-
Greet in revealing anything. / de-
clared again quite frankly.
81 fully admit that. But what can
do? How shall ! act?" she asked
in a low, tense voice. Advise me-
do"
For some moments remained
silent The situation was difficult.
.weIl. madame" l replied after re-
Election, "if you are really ready 10
promise the strictest secrecy ana
leave the matter to me, I viii en-
deavor to find a way out OF the difn-
cuIty-providing you-good German
that YOU are by marriage-will take.
before the Emperor 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 welling in her fine dark
eyes.
an that case, then, please leave
the matter entirely in my hands," l
said.
Calls For Frau KIeIst.
That same night. about 10 o'clock,
the Emperor, entered the room to
which had just returned to work.
"send Frau Kleist TO me-" he snap
ped. And I will summon you later
when ! want you. Heltzendorff.'
Frau Keist! l had no idea the WON
an had arrived at the castle. But. l
dispatched one OF the servants to
search for her. and afterwards heard
her high pitched voice as she ascend
ed the stairs TO hold secret counsel
with his majesty.
Below ! found the fat, fair-haired
little doctor from Augsburg. who vas
still an enigma, but eager to see his
imperial patient.
suddenly one of the imperial funk
evs bowed at the door. commanding
the doctor to the royal presence, and
he left me. hot and hurried.
Id -.