Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 23, 2025
When one is prepared for elaborate schemes, the simplest trick lands one high and dry. Still I could see no daylight. They could not hope to keep me on this preposterous charge. A single wire to Berlin would settle the matter, but then there would be a delay. I would not reach Paris until six o'clock at night. Wedel had insisted that I be there at noon. Hum!
And he rose arrogantly from his chair, and crossed his hands over his breast piously in that attitude he assumed when unusually angry. Von Wedel saw that he was going too far. "It is not a matter of reproof, but of precaution," he said quickly.
He was necessary to my plans and was to accompany me. A messenger from Wedel brought a few final verbal instructions, my funds and sealed instructions. I was bidden to keep away from all official German intercourse in Constantinople.
Public excitement gradually calmed down, and a complete change of the officials at Zabern helped to bring about a normal condition of affairs. The Viceroy, Count Wedel, and Secretary of State Zorn von Bulach, resigned and were replaced by von Dallwitz and Count Rodern. However, the everlasting question came up again a little later during the regular budget debate of the Reichstag.
Rather curious, I walked into the sitting-room and found a man I had seen pretty often at the Wilhelmstrasse. I knew him to be Herr von Stammer, the right hand man of von Wedel. Although we were well known to each other by sight, we hardly conversed ten words outside of official business.
We ate our dinner together, the monk being very gracious towards his mysterious hostess; and almost punctually at half-past nine the door of the drawing-room opened, and there entered a rather shabbily dressed man, whom I at once recognised as Count von Wedel, the inseparable companion of the Kaiser, and titular head of the German Secret Service.
That appeared to satisfy the Captain. I knew that the Wilhelmstrasse had wired him that "Number Seventeen" was coming. Still he was careful. "Where were your first instructions received?" "From Wedel." "Subsequently?" I felt him looking at me sharply. "Confirmed by the Emperor," I replied, "and I deliver you herewith the following message.
Then I opened the note that the Emperor had given me, and began to memorize its contents. Amazement must have shown on my face. A blow with a feather would have knocked me down. So wonder Wilhelm II was staring blankly, no wonder this message had to be delivered verbally. Hurriedly I began to memorize it. Presently, I saw Count Wedel come in and he and the Kaiser began to talk in whispers.
But von Wedel was not yet through. "These gentlemen," he said, "will meet at Schlangenbad about the middle of this month. You know the place, in the Taunus Hills one of the Emperor's hunting lodges. I suggest that you get down there to-morrow and have everything ready. You thoroughly know what is required of you, Doctor?" On my assenting I was dismissed.
But we need only a few hours more. By this time tomorrow morning all will be done. He comes, Von Wedel?" "We got the word tonight yes," said the other man. "All is arranged for him. Ealing-Houndsditch, first. There are the soldiers. Then Buckingham Palace. Ah, what a lesson we shall teach these English! Then the buildings at Whitehall.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking