Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 131, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1915 — Page 3

Secrets of the Courts of Europe

An Old Ambassador’s Revelations of the Inner History of Famous Episodes Heretofore Cloaked in Mystery

“It is a pity," remarked the ambassador to me, as we sat sipping his excellency’s very choice cognac after dinner, “that there is no one who can write the secret history of Europe for the last few decades.” “But, M. I’Ambassadeur,” —we were in Paris —“surely it is impossible for any event of real importance to remain concealed?" "Not in the least, my dear sir. I will give you an instance. You remember that supposed .illness long ago of the king of Spain, then but a child? His young majesty wks no more ill at that time than you and I are at this hour. Alfonso XIII had been stolen!" And. lighting a fresh cigar, the ambassador proceeded to give me the following astonishing narrative: “It was ’several years ago, as you will recollect, that the press of Europe was filled with reports of a mysterious illness from which this young monarch was said to be suffering. This malady was described as being of a highly infectious character, though not exactly dangerous. At the same time the world was called upon to admire the maternal solicitude of the queenregent, who, it was said, in order to nurse her son, had shut herself up in his apartments, with only two attendants, refraining from all Intercourse with the rest of the palace while the critical period lasted. The only other persons who were permitted to have access to the sickroom, besides the physician in attendance, were Father Oliva, the king’s tutor, and Senor Guastala, at that time prime minister of Spain. “In the meantime, what had really happened was this: “On the day before these reports began to appear—which was, I think, a Monday—a grand review of the troqps forming the Madrid garrison was to come off in the city park. The review wan in honor of Saint Jago, the patron saint of Spain, and it had been publicly announced that the young king would be present, together with his mother, the queen-regent It was, in effect, to be an imposing celebration, and all Madrid was expected to be there. On the very morning of the review, however, a letter came to the palace, addressed to her majesty, and marked urgent. On being opened this letter was found to contain the alarming intelligence that there wap a plot on foot to attempt the king’s life. The anonymous writer went on to add that the conspirators hoped to carry out their design during his majesty’s presence at the review. “This letter bore the postmark of Pamplona. “Her majesty showed this letter to Father Oliva, in whom she reposed great confidence; and, as was‘natural, they decided to keep the king at home, giving out as a pretext that he was unwell. The regent accordingly set out to the review without him, taking, instead, his elder sister, the princess of Asturias. Alfonso was greatly disappointed, but they succeeded in pacifying him by the promise of a huge box of lead soldiers, a toy which has always given him supreme delight.

“A« soon as the queen was gone, Father Oliva took the king into his study, and commenced to give him his lessons as usual. An hour passed in this way. “At the end of this time a closed carriage drove up at a furious rate to the principal entrance of the palace, and there alighted a percon in the uniform of a general officer, attended by an aide-de-camp. This personage, who appeared to labpr under considerable excitenient, announced himself to the porters in waiting as General Espinosa. He stated that he had been sent by the queen-regent to fetch the king to the review, and demanded to be taken immediately into his majesty’s presence.

“Thoroughly overwhelmed by the •manner of these officers, the lackeys hastened to conduct them to the room where the tutor and pupil were at work. Here, as soon as the servants had withdrawn, the general repeated his statements, adding to Father Oliva < that the troops had shown grave sympof dissatisfaction at the king's absence, and-that serious consequences were apprehended if he were not immediately forthcoming. “You can well understand that in Spain, the land of pronunciamentos, where the army has so long been accustomed to regard itself as the master of the government, and is always seething with sedition, such intelligence was not to be trifled with. The general’s uniform and the presence of the aide lent an air of reality to the story: and, in short, the priest appears to have been completely taken off his guard. * “No doubt it would have been more prudent on his part to have insisted on accompanying his pupil. But the suddenness of these men’s arrival, and the alarming character of their state- ■ ments, deprived him of his usual presence of mind. He sent for the child’s hat end allowed him to depart with the emissaries. The king himself, it is heedless to say of a mere boy, was only too eager to go. He is daring as •Ideate ■

by ALLEN UPWARD

Chronicled

A STOLEN KING

a lion, and to him shyness is absolutely unknown. “TheTiext thing that happened was the return of the queen-regent, at the. close of the review. She sent to the tutor to bring Alfonso to her. Confounded at such a message, he hurried into her majesty’s presence, and at once the truth was discovered. There had been no discontent among the troops, and no sending for the king. He had become the victim of a cleverly planned abduction. “Figure to yourself the despair of Queen Christina. But even in such moments, royal are not freed from considerations of state. Before taking any steps, it was necessary to advise with the prime minister.

“A messenger was at once dispatched to fetch him to the palace. Senor Gaustala lost no time in obeying the summons, and the facts were laid before him.

“It was by his imperative advice that it was decided to keep the affair secret as long as possible. In the unsettled state of the Spanish kingdom,* with a dynasty hardly yet seated on the throne, and threatened by republicans on one side and legitimists on the other, the news that the king had been spirited away might very well be the signal, as you may imagine, for a revolution.

“It was therefore that this comedy of a pretended illness was devised. With the exception of two old, trusted servants, every one was strictly excluded from the king’s apartments, in which it was given out that he was lying ill, and Queen Christina arranged to take up her own quarters there, to escape the prying eyes of her suite. On his part, Senor Guastala undertook to bind one of the court physicians to secrecy, and induce him to attend at regular intervals, and issue the usual bulletins.

“At the same time the police were warned that an abduction had taken place, and furnished with a general description of the carriage, and of its three occupants. The railways were watched, the frontiers guarded, in short, the usual precautions were taken. Unfortunately it was considered unsafe to describe the missing boy too plainly for fear of his identity becoming known.

“The porters who had seen the carriage drive away were also questioned with caution, but beyond the mere statement that they had seen his majesty enter the carriage with the officers, no information of any value was elicited from them.

“The exertions of the police during four days were entirely fruitless. The Spaniards are a fine race with many admirable traits, but they lack the French quickness. But for the accident of my presence in the capital, it is difficult to say what would have become of the Spanish monarchy. Luckily I chanced to be in Madrid at that time.

“The moment T heard that the king had been taken ill, I went to call at the palace. During the period of my connection with our embassy in Madrid I had become greatly attached to this delightful youngster, with his superb airs of a king; and I think I had had the honor to attract the regard of his majesty. I went, therefore, confidently expecting that my visit would be welcomed by the little invalid. Judge of my surprise when I found myself denied admittance to the sickroom. I came away, cursing the ingratitude of princes. “But you are aware of my character. I am not easily to be baffled in a design which I have once undertaken. That very day I telegraphed to Paris, to Emile Gerault et Cie., of the Rue Luxembourg, to forward me the most splendid toy in their warehouse. “On the fourth day it arrived. It was a marvel —a Work of art. Imagine a soldier, completely accoutred in the uniform of a Chasseur d’Afrique, with everything removable, down to the very spurs, and mounted upon a fascinating camel, which drove itself by clockwork! I packed my treasure in a cab and took it round instantly to the palace.

“As I had anticipated, I was again refused entrance into Alfonso’s presence. Thereupon I demanded an audience of the queen regent. Daunted by my firmness, the attendants gave way, and consented to take in my card to her majesty. I ventured to inscribe on it the word, 'Pressing.' ' “Doubtless, in her immense grief, the queen was ready to clutch at any straw which might promise assistance. She agreed to receive me in the room adjoining the king’s bedchamber. " ‘What Is it that you desire to see me about, M. le Baron?’ she demanded, addressing me in the French language “ ‘Surely the king is not too ill to be amused with this toy,’ I ventured to say. 'I implore you to let me offer it to my young friend.’ -‘Queefn Christina made no reply. I turned towards her, trembling, and was astonished to see tears in her fine eyes. ' “'Pardon, madame, what have I

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

done? I exclaimed, In consternation. “'You have done nothing, M. le Baron, that is not worthy of your admirable heart,* the queen was good enough to answer. ’lt would be ungrateful to keep up this deception with you any longer. Alfonso cannot receive your touching gift, because he is not in the palace. My sou was kidnaped four days ago.’ “I was thunderstruck by this news. Her majesty then invited me to be seated, and told me the whole of the circumstances, exactly as I have related them to you. As soon as the recital was finished I rose to my feet.

‘“Madame,* I said, with impressiveness, ‘leave this affair in my hands. Give me five days, and I undertake to recover my young playmate from the clutches of these assassins.* “My assurances appeared to satisfy her majesty., She then condescended to sign a paper investing me with full powers to take what steps I deemed necessary in the conduct of the affair, and, armed with this document, I took my leave. “Mji first step was to Invent a disguise. After much thought I decided to assume the character of an English doctor. I produced a card and inscribed it with the name of Dr. Harry Brown of the Institute of Doctors, London.

“You ask yourself why I chose to become an English doctor. I will tell you. It is well known that there is a streak of insanity running through your nation, which renders them the most eccentric people in the world. As an Englishman it would excite no re-

“I Regret That What You Ask Is Impossible. The King is Too 111 to Receive Even the Most Intimate of His Friends."

mark that I should take the extraordinary measures which I proposed to myself. “My next step was to interview Father Oliva, the tutor, a dreary man, who concealed the most intense stupidity under an appearance of great craft. I found him in the room from which Alfonso had been carried off. He had known me formerly, and exhibited much surprise on learning of my assumed character. I made him repeat to me the details of .the abduction, and then asked to see the most recent photograph of his pupil. "The father produced a handsome portrait, taken within the last few weeks. The king’s face, as you are aware, is a very striking one. The features are noble and defiant, the eyes large and brilliant.

“Has this portrait been widely circulated?’ I asked. 'ls the man in the street familiar with it?’ " ‘Certainly,’ the priest answered. ‘lt has figured in all the shop windows. The king’s portraits are always very popular. There fs scarcely a cabin in Spain where you will not see something, if it is only an almanac, with the likeness of Alfonso XIII.’ ' “‘So much the better; it makes it all the more difficult for the conspirators to carry out their plans. It is incredible that they should have been able to carry him through the streets of the capital in broad daylight without recognition. I must see the servants who were present when the carriage drove off.’ “The father hesitated.

“Are you not afraid of arousing their suspicions?’ he asked. ‘Remember that they suppose the king returned in safety.’ “ ‘Her majesty the queen regent has been good enough to confide fully in my discretion,’ I said to him. ‘I beg that you will do the same. Where are these men?’ “By this time we were at the entrance, where we found a number of lackeys. The father presented me to them.

“ ‘The dpctor is seeking for information as to the source of the king’s illness,’ he explained. ‘Which of you saw his majesty get into the carriage to go to the review?* ' “Three of the men stepped forward, evidently surprised. I gave, them no time to invent falsehoods. “‘Did you notice Bow the king was looking when he went out?* I demanded -

“I saw them exchange questioning glances. At length one ventured to respond. *“I didn’t see his majesty’s face, senor. But I fancy he had a chill, for he was well wrapped up.’ “’So? And did none of you observe anything else unusual?* “One of the other two looked as if he were hesitating to speak. I turned a penetrating look on him. “ ‘Now you remind me, senor,’ he said, respectfully, ‘I think there was something wrong with his majesty. I don’t think he walked quite firmly, and he didn’t hold himself up in the same way as usual.’ “I was satisfied, and led the way back into the palace, followed by Father Oliva. “As we were returning to his room an awkward incident took place. A door opened at a short distance in front of us, and a man came out, who bowed to my companion. “ ‘That is Doctor Henarez, who is attending the palace chef,* he whispered in my ear. ‘Shall I present you to him?’

“‘The devil, no!’ I replied in consternation. Tie would inquire about the faculty in London, and penetrate my disguise directly.’

“ ‘True; I had forgotten that you were disguised,’ muttered this simple creature. And we allowed the physician to pass without speaking, though I observed him casting inquisitive looks at me.

“I asked if the cook were a fellow countryman of my own, and was amazed to learn that this was not the

case. It was inconceivable to me that a Spaniard should understand the culinary art, and I observed as much to my companion. “ ‘Yet I can assure you that his cookery is very much esteemed,’ he answered, smiling, ‘by no less a person than the king of Spain. If my pupil had bden really ill, I should have put it down to Senor Gomez, his tarts are so much in demand in the nursery.’ '"He seems to have made himself ill instead,’ I retorted. ‘Has he been laid up long?’ “ ‘About a week, I believe. It is to be hoped he will recover by the time his majesty comes back, or the king will be terribly distressed.’ “I ceased to reply to the worthy father’s conversation, being absorbed in considering my next move. As soon as we were again in his room I requested him to send for the steward of the household. “He complied, not without several delicate attempts to elicit my motive for this step. But he was dealing with an old diplomatist. You will readily believe that he elicited exactly what I desired him to. “On the steward’s appearance, I repeated the explanation of my pretended mission. I also exhibited the powers furnished me by the queen regent, so as to stifle at once any possible objection to my demands. I then gave him these instructions:

“ Tn the first place, I require you to examine the servants stationed at the various entrances to the palace, and to draw up a full report, showing all the persons who have entered or left the building within the last ten days, with the times of their coming and going. You will make this report as accurate as possible. Secondly, you will at once station a special agent at each of these entrances, with instructions to allow no one, whatever his position or business, to enter or leave the palace, without first communicating with me, and obtaining my sanction.* “The steward bowed.

“ ‘Bo these orders apply 11 to the kitchen entrance, by which the supplies of the palace are received, senor?’ "‘They apply especially to that entrance. There is no more fruitful source of contagion than food, particularly milk.’ “The steward was evidently impressed by this observation, which I flatter myself was not without ingenuity- - - ;■

"'And they apply equally to the servants of the palace, I suppose, tenor T

‘“To every man, woman and child in .Spain, with the exception of the queen regent and the prime minister.’

"The steward was a sensible man. He asked no further questions, but departed to carry out his instructions. "During the next hour I sat ip the tutor’s room, receiving continual messages with respect to the various persons who sought to come in or out. In each case I gave my consent. Finally the steward returned, bringing his report, a most admirable paper, which would have done credit to any chancellery in Europe. The name and, in most cases, the business of every visitor had been noted down with scrupulous care. I read the report through, and a mist came over my eyes.

“ ‘You have done your work magnificently, senor,’ I said to the steward. ‘I am now going to show this document to the queen. Should anyone want to enter the palace while I am with her majesty, be sure to let me know.’

“I dismissed him, and'made my way with ill-suppressed agitation to the royal apartments, where I was instantly admitted. I handed the report to her majesty, and desired her to look through it, and see if it contained anything worthy of remark. She complied with my request, but observed nothing. I then ventured to put a question:

".‘I should be grateful if your majesty could recollect any incident, however trivial, during the last few days before the king’s disappearance, which might throw light on the means of persuasion employed by his abductors.’

"Queen Christina appeared slightly puzzled. “ Tn other words —?’ “ Tn other words, wherever the king has gone to, he must, in the first instance, have gone willingly.’ "The queen looked dismayed, and shook her head doubtfully. “ ‘Think again, madame. Did anything occur to excite the king during the last few days? Children sometimes have strange ideas; they desire to leave their homes, to imitate Robinson Crusoe, to become bandits —’ “The queen suddenly looked up. “.‘There is one thing which perhaps I ought to mention to you, though the recollection is painful at this time. My son was very much put out with me shortly before this terrible event. It was on account of the dismissal of the chief cook, whom the steward had detected in gross dishonesty. This man, it appears, had a nephew, a child of about the king’s own age, who had contrived to ingratiate himself with Alfonso, and through 'this nephew Gomez had got a petition into the king's hands, praying that his fault might be overlooked. Of course I had to refuse the petition, and Alfonso was bitterly aggrieved.’ “‘Enough, madame!* I had begun, when we were interrupted by the arrival of the steward. I begged the queen to admit him. “ ‘You asked me to let you know, senor, if anyone desired to enter the palace, and I therefore thought it my duty to come to you, though it is only the case of a child.’ “ ‘What child?’ I asked as calmly as I could.

“‘Pedrillo Gomez, the cook’s nephew, who has come to visit his uncle.’ “ ‘He cannot be admitted for the present,’ I said sternly. ‘Detain him in your room till you hear from me.’ “The steward was plainly confounded. But he discreetly refrained from any reply, and withdrew to fulfill my directions.

“ ‘Surely that is a rather harsh step,’ remonstrated Queen Christina. “‘Madame,’ I-replied, with the utmost good humor, ‘the child who has just come to the palace is some impostor. He is not Pedrillo Gomez at all.’ “The queen looked at me as If I bad just claimed omniscience. “ ‘How can you say that, M. le Baron?’

“ ‘Simply by referring to the report in your majesty’s hand. You will see from it that the cook’s nephew entered the palace last Monday morning at eight o’clock, and that he has never left it since. Consequently, the child at the door must be some one else.’ "I could see her begin to tremble. “ ‘Speak!, What do you mean?’ “ ‘I mean this, madame, that whereas I formerly asked for five days in which to bring your son to you, I now ask for five minutes. I am going to interview the true Pedrillo, the Pedrillo who has been concealed in the cook’s apartment for the last four days.’

“I darted from her presence, and made my way straight through the building to the door from which I had seen Doctor Henarez emerge. I rapped, and a man’s voice inquired: “ ‘ls that you, Pedrillo?’ “At the same time a bolt was withdrawn from inside, and the door partly opened. I slipped through, and walked into the middle of the chamber. The cook, a huge man, with as villainous a face as I have ever seen, eyed me like a tiger as I coolly took possession of his sitting room. No Pedrillo was anywhere to be seen. “‘Who are you, senor?’ the man stammered out.

‘*‘l am a doctor,' I responded, with the most friendly air in the world, feeling at the same time in the hip, pocket, where doctors usually carry their medicine cases. ‘I have been called in by Another patient, and, hearing that you were ill, the queen regent graciously desired me to place my skill at your disposal.' ‘“‘But, Senor Doctor, I do not need your services,’ he muttered, terribly embarrassed, as he well might be, for

- - . ft- - : the fellow was In perfect health. *l, have my own doctor.* “ ‘Nonsense,* I replied, ‘an extiw opinion can do you no harm. Besides, her majesty’s commands' must b» obeyed. Let me feel your pulse.* “I took it in my hand before he could; object. It was beating at a tremendous rate. “ ‘I see clearly what is the matter with you,’ I said. ’Yon are suffering; from want of fresh air. Instead of being shut up in these two rooms —I suppose that is the door of your bedroom? —you ought to be out in the grounds. Let me advise you to put on your hat, at once, and come out. I will give you< my arm.’ "The wretch sank into a chair. “ ‘lndeed, senor, I am too ill to be moved. Tomorrow, perhaps.’ “‘You make a mistake,’ I retorted, interrupting him. ‘I assure you these rooms are unhealthy. Let me see your bedroom.’

“While I spoke I went up and turned* the handle of the door. As I had anticipated, it was locked. Gomez sprang towards me with flashing eyes. I did not hesitate a moment.

“ ‘Sit down, Senor Gomez, If you please, or I will shoot you like a dog.' And I snatched out my revolver and; leveled it at his breast.

"He sank back, shuddering. I turned ; the key, and opened the bedroom door.”

The ambassador stopped deliberately, struck a match and carefully relit| his cigar, which had gone out I didi not dare to speak. "There,” he said, sending out a great puff of smoke —“there, seated on thei floor, amid a disorganized army of! leaden troops, bls hands black with' dirt, his hair rough like a dog’s, and! his charming lips all smeared with jam, I beheld his majesty the king of Spain, calmly devouring one of his favorite tarts.’’

"And after?” I said, as the ambassador again came to a full stop. "And after? Why, is there anything more? 1 caught up the young rascal in my arms, king or no king, and made* two steps of it to where his mother; was waiting. Do not ask me to describe that scene. Such emotions are; sacred.”

“I am not quite sure that I have followed all the steps by which you arrived at your discovery,” I said presently. "My friend, you cannot have been ’ listening. Did I not tell you at the out*, set that the boy left his tutor's room with only a hat on? The moment I heard of the wraps I perceived that something must have taken place during the passage through thdse deserted corridors. When I found that not one had seen the face of the boy who! entered the carriage, and that hist walk and bearing were different from the king’s the whole plot was clear. The conspirators, afraid to risk carrying the young monarch through thei streets of his own capital, had disposed! of him in the palace on the way out,, and carried away another boy to create a false scent. "The scheme was clever enough. The moment I had realized the character of the plot, it only remained to discover whether the king had been taken: out of the building since, and, if not, with whom he was likely to be concealed. At the same time I took precautions against his slipping through my fingers while I was engaged in the search.”

“The cook, I suppose, made a full 1 confession?’’ “I had left him very little to confess. It appeared that he had been the chief contriver of the plot, in revenge; for his own dismissal. He had got two accomplices from outside, one of them. , that doctor, who was as great an impostor as I was myself. “They elaborated their plans with a good deal of ingenuity. Gomez began feigning Illness several days before the review, and made his nephew come to and fro continually, so that his appearance ceased to excite remark. Then they dispatched the warning through Pamplona, and lay in wait. “The king was, of course, drought, straight from the tutor’s presence into the cook’s apartment, and exchanged for Pedrillo, and all that remained was for Gomez to keep the child prisoner, by force or persuasion, till they could contrive to smuggle him out of the way unobserved. The idea of obtaining the ransom while the captive was still in his own palace was a brilliant afterthought” “They were npt punished?” "No; it would have been unwise. They were informed that if they ever referred to their exploit they would be put on trial for high treason, and they seem to have held their tongues. Of course the fiction of the illness was kept up to the end, and the king’s convalescence duly announced. The ambassador paused, and peared to be hesitating whether to say} anything more. At last he added: “When I finally took my leave the "" queen drew a magnificent ring from her own finger and presented it to me. “ ‘For the service you have rendered to the queen regent of Spain my prime minister will thank you,’ she said. ‘For that which you have rendered to* the mother of Alfonso, she begs you to accept this souvenir.' ” He glanced at a very fine diamond on his hand and, I thought, sighed. “Have you the ring there?” I asked. His excellency shook his head. “That ring is no longer in my possession. I parted with it under certain " delicate circumstances which I must beg that you will not ask me to explain.” I saw that I was on the verge of another indiscretion, and prudently changed the subject. (Copyrighted in U. S. sad Great BritatnJi -J/ .-- v . -AS.*

beg that you ? plain." I saw that 11