Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 301, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 December 1915 — The Wax Clavette [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Wax Clavette

Revelations of An Ambassador-at- Large

Transcribed by H. M. Egbert from the private papers of an Englishman who for a time was an unofficial diplomat fat the most secret servicb of the British Government.

(Copyright, 1915, by W. G. Chapman.)

At the ball given by Herr von Jagow, of the foreign office, a year or two ago, I. noticed as soon as I entered the room that there was a certain atmosphere which we diplomatists are trained to feel. It was not of suspense exactly, but certainly of marked Interest in "a couple who were among the most tireless of the dancers, and In a blond young officer, in uhlan uniform, who stood watching them, scowling and pulling his mustache, as he followed their movements with his eyes. The man I recognized at once. Handsome, black-haired, debonair as only a Frenchman can be, I had seen him on several occasions, and knew him to speak to slightly. He was Captain Paradis, one of the minor military attaches at the French embassy. The girl I did not know, and, discovering an old friend among those who were, congregated about tbe door watching the brilliant spectacle, I asked him her name. He looked rather surprised at my question. “Why, that is the Fraulein Wedenkampf,” he answered. This name, however, is not the one that he gave. One must preserve some shadow of anonymity in such revelations. “The heiress of the late cannon maker?” I inquired, with interest “Assuredly. She only came out this spring, and you can imagine she is persona gratissima at court.” “And why do you suppose," I asked, "that she is dancing with Captain Paradis, who has the reputation of being the most expert artillery officer in France?” “That,” answered my friend, smiling, “is what everybody is wondering, and, not least, Captain von Llndorf, to whom, rumor has it, she is supposed to be engaged to be married.” They certainly made an interesting couple as they circled round the enormous ballroom. I saw Herr von Jagow and the crown princess watching them; I saw the princess whisper in the foreign secretary’s ear, and Von Jagow answer in words, whatever they were, that made her highness raise her eyebrows in surprise. In fact the astonishment was rapidly becoming universal. And it was hardly to be wondered at. For each of these two young people had access to secrets of priceless military value. The knowledge that Fraulein Wedenkampf could place at the disposal of the French government was the equivalent of two army corps. The information locked up in the head of Captain Paradis was worth five extra days of mobilization to the kaiser’s forces. And it was evident that the Infatuation was on the part of the young man, and not on that of the calm, fair-haired, blue-eyed, and wholly self-possessed young woman. I saw Count von Ldndorf’s scowl deepen, and I took up my position near him, where I could watch him unostentatiously. At the end of the dance Captain Paradis led his partner to a seat near the door, half hidden by a cluster of large palm trees. I saw the count stroll slowly in that direction. He seemed preoccupied, but I noticed that his lip was twitching. What happened I could not see, but a moment later I saw Von Llndorf and Captain Paradis upon their feet, facing each other, their faces flushed with anger. Then I saw the count bow and proffer his card tp the Frenchman. Captain Paradis seemed to hesitate; Anally, with a gesture that was quite incomprehensible to me, he turned away and walked unsteadily • toward the door. Count won Llndorf looked at the fraulein with a sort of baffled fury; then his face became Impenetrable, and, shrugging his shoulders, he retired. The scene had certainly not escaped observation among the personages,’exalted and otherwise, who surrounded the crown prince's chair. I saw smiles upon some lips, and frowns upon some faces. Herr von Jagow glanced inquiringly toward Count von BethmannHollweg, the imperial chancellor, but he, apparently not wishing to notice the foreign minister’s look, remained deep in conversation —with .a man whom I had not noticed before, but whom i recognized immediately. The person in reference had at one time looked remarkably like myself. This resemblance had, in fact, given me the clue which enabled me to frustrate a clever trick to steal the Bulgarian mobilization papers. It was on account of this similarity of appearance that I had grown a beard. do not care to be mistaken for an international financier of dubious reputation; and this personage was a certain Louis Weisknopf, head of what has come to be known as the International War syndicate. This syndicate, formed for the purpose of unifying and exploiting the wealth of the world, having ramifications in every capital, and Deing undoubtedly behind most of the contemporaneous political intrigue, had decided that, to attain its ends, it must cast in its lot with the Teutonic —tn whom, in its opinion, the

future supremacy of the world per tained. It was hand in glove with the cannon makers, the scare mongers, who manipulated the markets for the syndicate—worse than all else, however, was what I knew to be its unshakable determination to bring about that long-expected war cataclysm which my government was 'striving with all its efforts to avert. Toward the end of the last dance, when even the crown princess endeavored no longer to hide her yawns. Count von Llndorf took up his station beside the door, where I had first seen him. He waited there after the last strains of the national anthem had ceased. It was quite evident that he meant to have his quarrel «with Paradis out, and that he was awaiting the departure of the guests. Paradis could read that resolution in Von Lindorf’s face, for, after attempting to pass, only to be accosted by the count, with respectful but inflexible determination, he fell back with an affectation of nonchalance, and waited. I saw the crown prince offer Ids' arm to the crown princess, escort her from the ballroom, and return. He knew what was about to happen. So did Herr von Jagow, and Weisknopf, now smiling a little uneasily—and the imperial chancellor himself, who left rather hurriedly and did not appear upon the scene again. Captain Paradis offered Fraulein Wedenkampf his arm and attempted to lead her out As they approached the door Von Llndorf walked slowly toward the Frenchman, and, raising his hand, struck him suddenly across the mouth with such violence that Paradis went staggering back against a palm, upset it, and fell to the waxed floor among the fanlike fronds and broken pieces of the pedestal. Fraulein Wedenkampf screamed, and at that moment somebody shut the door. The spectators about his highness had not relaxed a muscle of their faces, but they .had assumed, unconsciously, the aspect of inquisitors. They were splendidly trained to self-control. Paradis sprang to his feet, white And trembling, and rushed at Von Lindorf. But, seeing the latter standing silent and motionless, watching him with a calm smile, he stopped and began choking and stammering inarticulately. “I greatly regret, Captain Paradis, that I have been compelled to strike you,” said Von Llndorf gravely. “But I call you to witness that I approached you, as a gentleman does, earlier in the evening, and that you refused to act acordlng to the gentleman’s code of honor.” “I replied, as I reply now, that I am not at liberty to fight until I have communicated with my government,” shouted Paradis. “Pardon, Monsieur le Capitaine, but your refusal seemed to me more peremptory," replied the count, bowing ironically. “You told me that you would not fight at all. Will you take up the challenge now?” “My answer remains the same,” replied Paradis hotly. I do not like to see a man misunderstood, and, noting the looks of universal disfavor which were turned upon the attache, I took upon myself the function of intermediary. "Gentlemen, I think there is a misunderstanding,” I said. “Captain Paradis Cleans that he is not at liberty to accept a challenge without his government’s permission.' Such a situation is well understood, and, I think, recognized in certain cases. I am sure that the captain means to give satisfaction when he is at liberty.” “To take satisfaction,” interposed Paradis, pressing his handkerchief to his bleeding lip. I realized then, from the fact that all were watching me, that, without precisely intending to do so, I had, in fact, assumed the task of seconding the Frenchman in the impending duel. This situation gave me a standing from which to watch developments, and was not unwelcome to me. His highness Prince Frederick William came forward at this juncture and took up his post between the two men. “Gentlemen, this altercation must end now," he said, “and must not be known outside this room. Monsieur le Capitaine, of course you have no Intention of embarrassing international relations?” "I shall resign my-post-at the embassy immediately,” answered Paradis. The crown prince turned to Von Lindorf. ‘“And you, Herr Graf, will doubtless accept the captain's explanation that he is willing to accord you and receive satisfaction when he is able?” “I accept your highness’ statement to that eifect,” answered Von Lindort sulkily. “Then, Herr Graf, you will have the kindness to report yourself to your commanding officer as under arrest, pending court-martial for conduct unbecoming an officer,* his highness continued. < The count saluted, and, falling into

a military stride, betook himself out of the ballroom, closing the door behind him. Herr von Jagow approached Fraulein Wedenkamp and offered her his arm. “Permit me, mein fraulein,” he said. The girl seemed to hesitate. Her fhce was ghastly white; she seemed to be .suffering more than anyone in the room. Then Louis Weisknopf walked up to her. “Fraulein Wedenkampf understands,” he said. “She has acted bravely for the fatherland. She —” The girl’s shrill cry startled everybody—even the foreign secretary, man of iron that be was. “I don’t want to see him!” she exclaimed, averting her face. “Do not let him speak to me, Herr von Jagow. Yes, I haye been brave. I —” And she began, laughing hysterically, and collapsed In the foreign secretary’s arms. He soothed her, and persuaded her, and at last, somehow, got her calmed and led her outside, while we remained upon the ballroom floor, helpless spectators of a very painful Incident. When the foreign secretary had escorted Fraulein Wedenkampf outside, the crown -prince turned to Weisknopf. “Good night, mein herr,” he said, bowing. Weisknopf hesitated, and his face assumed an aspect of chagrin. “Good night, Herr Weisknopf,” re-

peated his highness stiffly, and then the financier, having no alternative, bowed frigidly and departed. So there were left only the crown prince and his suite, myself and Captain Paradis. “I shall act on behalf of Von Lindorf,” said his highness. “No doubt you would welcome the opportunity of a few words with your principal before we consult together.” Captain Paradis drew himself up stiffly; he seemed to have recovered his self-possession in large measure. “I shall be pleased to see this gentleman at my hotel, the Dijon, at half past eight tomorrow morning,” he said. ’ . There was no more to be done. We separated almost immediately, with the understanding that I was to confer with his highness on the morrow, after seeing my principal. But when I called at the Hotel Dijon, at tho time arrapged, I was informed that Captain Paradis had already left for Paris. That seemed the end of a very distasteful business. Captain Paradis had, of course, ruined his career as a diplomatist, and was not likely to be heard of again. But, though the incident seemed ended, it left me in a distressing position. First, my principal had run away rather than fight a duel. Secondly, I had an uneasy feeling that further trouble was brewing, that Weisknopf had made a fortunate gambler’s throw and expected to reap his profits; He could afford to gamble with high stakes, his prize being the most colossal one ever attained. My duty in Berlin was a peculiar one. Unattached to the British embassy, I was confidentially in charge of the innumerable affairs which could not properly be undertaken by his majesty’s accredited representative. It may be said that these were of the diplomatic half world, involving subtle means of influencing public opinion, and learning it. There was nothing discreditable in the post. Still, it required my movements to be kept as secret as possible at such a time of strained international relations. i was somewhat cnagrined, therefore, to discover that my presence in Berlin was known, some two months later, when an officer from his highness* staff* called on me and requested that I would honor the crown prince »wlth a visit to the Potsdam barracks that evening. 1 found his nighness to his quarters, attended only by a single officer — Lieutenant von Retzow, who had called on me that morning. “I heard you were in Berlin, Mr. X •»** said the crown prince, obviously Intending to set me at my

ease. *1 am anxious to know whether you have yet had any communication from your principal. Captain Paradin'* “None, your highness,** I answered, “it is a wretched business.’’ » “It is a miserable business,” answered his highness, with some emotion. “If Paradis Intended to remain in France and never set foot in Germany again, all might come well. Fraulein Wedenkampf Is a great favorite with my father, and we have Count yon Lindorf’s interests at heart. But the man is on the way back to Germany.” \ “But surely your highness may have been misinformed,'* I said. “He cannot show his face in Berlin again.” “He is not’ going to Berlin,” answered the crown prince. “He is to visit Fraulein Wedenkampf at the gun works at' Brugge this evening at half past eleven, immediately after his train arrives. We have positive Information, and unfortunately Count von Lindorf heard of this before we did, obtained leave of absence, and is on his way to Brugge to intercept Paradis and kill him. So, wishing to do justice to the man, to save Count von Lindorf from ruining his career, and to protect the good name of Fraulein Wedenkampf, I have sent to ask you whether you will still consent to be Paradis’ second.” “It would be a distasteful post,” I answered, “but 1 do not feel justified m declining under the circumstances.”

“I am greatly relieved,"’ answered his highness, clapping me cordially upon the shoulder, “for there is not another man in Germany who would step Into the breach. My quickest automobile can carry us to Brugge in time to intercept both Paradis and Count von Lindorf. Are you prepared to start immediately?’’ I shall always remember the ride that followed. The swift automobile ate up the miles, flashing along the crowded highways at a pace which left all other traffic far behind. We stopped only once for gasoline and tea at a little farmhouse whose occupants did not suspect our indentity. The shadows of evening fell, and Brugge was far in the distance. It was not until ten o’clock that we saw the huge furnace fires illuminate the landscape. The crown prince had requested me to take no action except to defend the interests of my principal. Otherwise the matter was to remain in his hands. I did not know what his plans were. But I began.to understand when the automobile, entering the town, slackened speed, traversed the highway leading past the enormous gun foundry, belching soot and smoky flame at fifty places, and crawled at a snail’s pace past the private grounds of a magnificent mansion, half a mile from the factory entrance. As we crawled past the entrance I heard the crown prince utter a low exclamation. Straining my eyes, I saw, near the lodge that guarded the approach, a single figure, half hidden among the trees. Wrapped though it was in a long military cloak, I had no difficulty in recognizing Count von Lindorf. We drew up about two hundred yards farther along the street. “Herr Lieutenant, you will kindly take charge of the car and keep her moving slowly until midnight," said his nighness, “when you will enter the drive of the mansion and wait a little' within the gates.” He stepped out, and I followed him. The car crawled slowly away, into' .the darkness. I- glanced at my watch; .it was eleven o’clock. “The railroad station lies yonder,” said his highness, indicating the district to the east of the factory. “We shall undoubtedly catch Captain Paradis here, before Von Lindorf can strike at nim.” , t . But it was nearly midnight before we saw the figure ot a man who came softly along the road beside the palings which formed the boundary of the Wedenkampf estate. The garden extended some five nun dred feet in front of the house, which was brilliantly illuminated from end

. • 'a; •• v- '■ '■ to end. . I surmised that the captain was awaited with as much eagerness as he himself appeared ‘to display. He was humming as he passed as, and he walked as though he had no sorrow in the world We turned when he had passed, and followed him closely. 'f saW 'liiih glance back as us once -or twice, i thought . uneasily. We .-were, almost upon him at the lodge entrance.« Then out of the shadows stepped Count von Lindorf and confronted him. 1 saw the captain start; be looked back, and found himself encircled by us. I must give credit to his quickness of wit in saying that he realized the situation immediately. “Gentlemen," he began in a low voice, “I am quite aware that you have me at a disadvantage. Nevertheless I assure you upon my honor that it was my intention to proceed Immediately to Berlin to place myself at the disposal of Count von Lindorf.” Absolute silence met his words. He continued: < “If you will permit me first to enter this house, I pledge myself to return within one hour and be at your disposition.” “No," answered the crown prince quietly, and it was not until then that the count recognized him. .. “Sir.” he cried ..passionately, “you will permit me —you will permit me — having found him at these gates—” “You will leave the matter entirely in my hands, Herr Graf,” answered the crown prince. “Gentlemen, let us proceed a little way through the lodge gates, so that there will be no danger of interruption. Monsieur le Capitaine, you will excuse me if I take your arm?” he added. I saw Paradis start at the subtle insult. Yet it was justified, for Paradis had run away before, and there was no telling that he might not take advantage of the darkness. The prince, his arm linked through the captain's, led us across a mowed lawn until we stood in a ring of tall trees that completely concealed us from both road and mansion. We;could see each other’s faces fairly well in the light Of the half moon. “Now, captain, you recognize your second, no doubt,” said the prince, producing from bis overcoat a pair of dueling pistols. “Your highness—” began Paradis, with agony in his voice, “if you will permit me —” “Come, Monsieur le Capitaine, surely you will not have reflections cast upon your courage,” said the prince with asperity. “Prey recollect your compact, and that you have had ample time to make your dispositions.*' He placed a pistol in the captain’s hands —not, however, until he had handed the other to Von Lindorf. “At twelve paces,” he said. “You would prefer to measure with me?” he continued, turning to me. “I am satisfied to leave the matter to your highness,” I answered. Twelve paces were measured off, and we took up pur positions with the moonlight favoring, both equally. “They are hair triggers, gentlemen,'*, said the prince, when all the arrangements had, been completed. "You will face each other and fire at the count of three. Are you ready?” They raised their pistols. The count’s was aimed steadily at the Frenchman’s heart, but Paradis' weapon described a wavering circle. “One!” said his highness. I stepped from my principal’s side. The pistol pointed anywhere but at the count; the captain's distress was dreadful to contemplate. I saw him moisten his dry lips furtively. “Two!" Paradis seemed to pull himself together, and his pistol covered the count almost as steadily as Von Lindorf 8 covered his heart. "Three!" The shots rang out together. The count remained motionless where fie stood. The Frenchman uttered a mirthless laugh, fell on his knees, looked up at us with all the culmination of his despair upon his face, and then fell forward. . "He is dead!” said the crown prince solemnly as he rose from his side. The pistol ball had penetrated the heart and come out upon the right side of the body. The crown prince plunged his hand under the clothes and pulled out what looked like a lump of wax, shattered by the ball, but retaining certain conformations like those of the impression of a huge key. In the center of this amorphous lump was the pistol bullet The crown prince extracted it, looked at the broken lump of wax, and put it in his pocket. A lantern light flashed through the trees, shouts were heard, and two men and a woman burst through tntpthe place where we were standing. The woman was Fraulein Wedenkampf. One of the men was Weisknopt; the other i recognized later as Herr Em merich, the director of the giant gun foundry. They came forward, stopped, -and stared at his highness, at me, at “the body, upon the ground, and at the count,. who, . standing silent, folded, arms, stared at the man whom fie had killed. “Here is what you sought, Herr Emmerich,'* said the crown prince, placing the lump of wax m his hands. The director looked at it, and burst into hysterical exclamations. "It is- useless, your -highness!” he shouted, wiJhfAnger mms voice. “It is useless to us. All has gone for nothing.* • ■ “Yes. all has gone for nothing,'* repeated Fraulein Wedenkampf stonily. 1, marveled at ner. self-control, in the presence of the body of her lover.

The crown prince took Herr fta»merich by the arm. “A short explanation may be in order,’ he said. “Herr Wetsxnopf, I wish you good evening." For tne second time the financier, takteja abacs, looked utterly mortified. ’ *"H wish* you good evening, meta herr,’ ! his highness continued. And Weisknopf, with a snort of rage, deliberately. turned his back on the crown prince and withdrew. ‘‘You will have the goodnews to go straight home, mein herr" the prince called aftpr him. “Now listen, Herr Emmerich —or perhaps I should rather address you, Herr Graf, v since you know nothing of this affair That lump of wax was an impression of the famous French clavette, the key to tho seventy-five mm. Creusot machine gun.” . Count von Lindorf raised his dun eyes to the prince’s face. "So?” he observed. And that gave me the key to the situation. So greatly did this famous gun outclass that made at the Wedenkampf works that the possession of a model by the German government would almost bring the much-dreaded war upon the stage. Measuring but 3.2 inches at the muzzle, this deadly little weapon, of which some twenty-five thousand were known to exist had terrorized tho German government, and fabulous sums had been spent in the endeavor to discover the secret of its manufao ture. One of the features which characterized It was the entire absence of recoil, due to its glycerin jacket Its most remarkable feature, however was this: Whenever, upon the field of battle, it might become necessary to abandon it, by moving a small key, called a "clavette,” the ' piece dropped apart in such a manner that the secret of its construction could not be discovered. This was the secret which Paradis was bringing to Fraulein Wedenkampf. “Captain Paradis received one hundred thousand marks from HerrWetsknopf for the betrayal of the secret,” continued his highness, fixing his eyes on the girl’s face. I saw her start convulsively. "He was bought?” she cried. "He said—” "Yes, fraulein," said the crown prince gently, “that was where the man doubly forfeited his honor. Herr Graf, Fraulein Wedenkampf had promised to marry him if he brought her the clavettq. Perhaps he loved her — perhaps he thought to salve his dishonor by convincing himself that the money was a secondary motive. Fraulein Wedenkampf was resolved to sacrifice her love for Germany. "We could not persuade her otherwise. And we needed the clavette. But not by such means—nor at the expense of her happiness and yours, Herr Graf.'* i Count von Lindorf stared at the prince, and I saw him tighten his hold on his pistol. "Then I, by my unlucky shot, have ruined our hopes of learning the secret,” he muttered; and the prince wrested the pistol from his hand just as he was turning it upon his breast "No, gentlemen,” his highness answered, “we have held the secret or the clavette four weeks. It came from other sources. But —the time has not yet arrived.” And we went out and left the lovers together.

Von Lindorf Walked Slowly Toward the Frenchman, and Raising His Hand Struck Him Suddenly Across the Mouth.