Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 1919)
.7 GAIN HUMS HER SIREN SONG IN WAl The Net of One Entangled the Feet of a Pompous 'Middle-Aged Senator and Then Our Secret Service Came to His Rescue in a JSlost Prosaic Fashion THE SUNDAY OltEGOXIAtf, JOItTl.AND, NOVEMBER 16, 1919. Ann BOW they are comlns back, these chic ladies, with their tiny accents and their foreign lug rags. For three years they have been away, but now they are coming back. Finesse seems to be the word; there is no bungling, nothinr to ati tract unwelcome attention, and they slip Into their grooves as easily and with as little confusion as the pol ished bails In a Japanese rolling game. From the Vast echoing Union station madam lakes taxi to the apartment; which, through some mys terious agency-, has been engaged. furnished and awaits her. There is even a maid; the mysterious agency has left nothing undone. One wonders If tnere Is any con nection between alt this and the mus- tached. quietly dressed and rather military looking gentleman who leaves his card at madame's perhaps a week later! The truth of the matter Is, now that the war is Over, this government does not take these things Very seri ously, iri Washington things aj-e pretty much as they used to be;' and in the ordinary course of events the secret set-Vice smiles and politely leaves madame and monsieur to their own devices, which, after all, consist of a harmless enough and rather opera-bouffe gum-shoeing about the tats department and sometimes around some of the embassies. Madame and monsieur, however, take their activities most seriously. They do nothing to attract attention. He has left his card simply in order that Claire may know where to find htm if, In extremis, she should need him. After that he sees her ne more until he is casually presented to her at some half-world gathering, per hapsi two months later. Madame Installs herself in her apartment, which is apt to be In the neighborhood of Mount Pleasant, and in one of the larger apartment houses. For perhaps two weeks' she does nothing but study the ground, laying tentative plans. She gives particular attention to the night life of the city. Madame Is pretty and she is chic. But she is unattached, and becaise Bhe Is unattached she decides that the half-world will offer the best oppor tunities. The half-world asks few questions. The thing is hot difficult; ehe has done it before, perhaps In Paris, perhaps in Rome or Bucharest. Cafes always simplify it; but here in Washington there are no cafes. How ever, it can be done Indeed. It is part of her job to know how to accomplish just such things. Bhe has noted the three pretty ladies In the apartment across the court; she has noticed the kind of clothes they weari their habits; that they are not home during the day. but that at night they have much company. She notices that some of these men do not park the(r ma chines in front of the house, but leave them a square or so down the street. Most of them are young;' there are one or two army officers, maybe navy officer, and (she especially notes this) there have been Beveral elderly bearded gentlemen with what ehe instantly recognises as the public manner. Her mind is made up. The rest is simple. The next day she goes down toWn and makes several purchases at one of the exclusive shops, requesting that they be delivered at about 7 o'clock. The address she gives is correct In every particular except the number of the apartment. In that she has made a mistake; it is the num ber of the suite occupied by the ladies across the court. It works out Just as madame had planned. At 8 o'clock the bell rings. She answers It herself, and as she opens the door she Is a very pretty na prepossessing figure. "Oh, my bundles," ehe says, Jn sur prise. "How stupid-and It Is so. kind of you." She has succeeded In man uverlng the other inside, hot diffi cult since she has been deliberately whetting their curiosity tor a week. The lady from across the court al lows herself to be persuaded to sit down. "So kind of you," madams smiles in her well-bred little voice. "Now in London this would not have hap pened like this. sYIy parcels wouia have been sent back to the shop, arid they would have to send them out again tomorrow, and I shouldn't have rotten them until tomorrow night." The American woman does not like the vermouth that is offered her in a tiny glass, but sips it, and the bond is established. "Tou have lived In London?" she asks. Madame sighs. Very delicately she lets it be understood that she has' lived In several capitals. Truly, it is most hard. The gentleman, an un der secretary In one of the embassies, has been transferred six times in as many years. "Then you .don't s know anybody in Washington." says the American. Madame bowsand Inclines her mar celled head. "It is so prettyi your Washington, but it Is what you call 'dull for .me, Mais, oui!" "Well you tnust come over and see lis." her new friend Invites. "Tou know where our apartment is, don't you S-right across the court. Tou can See it from this Window. There are two other girls and myself. We kno plenty of men and we'll get you acquainted. Tou can't live like this." The rest follows of Itself. It has been ridiculously simple. Her ac quaintance grows: she begins to sense her Washington; she has met two or three big men grandfathers, these, but with eyes undimmed to the charms of pretty ladies. One of them has inade his advances, but ehe is not yet ready for this; she wants more knowledge of her ground, and with this In view she allows Smith, of the Chicago Rocket, te attach himself. Smith knows his Washington and will talk, all of which is as It should be, from madame's point of view. They go about together, theaters, res taurants, the rices, and Smith points out this man and that. "That's old Rawdon. of the foreign relations com loHtee- look out for him If you ever meet him. He's an old devil with the women.' Madame smiles and repeats to her- ber bosom as if to reassure herself. Truth to tell, she waa scared. "I shan't need you any more, she said, nervously, to the chauffeur when he bad brought her back to the hotel and she paid bl She made her way Into the lobby, dwadllng a moment, and then turned Into one of the restaurants and took a table hear the door. The hour was to the apartment." she went on. Tm Just back from New York. I thought perhaps you had been up there and wondered where I was. And, by the way, I have some papers. Would you mind keeping them for me for a couple of days such a bother going to the bank and I'll want them again in a day or so." "Certainly. Til take care of them. But what were you doing in New York. "Shopping. I was only over there two days. And now," she safd. rising, "ril have to run along. Will you ba up tonight?" She sat watching him put the en velope Into the safe. "Yes, perhaps later In the afternoon you will be at home, won't you?" She nodded, fixing her furs She got Into the taxi feeling some what relieved, but the farther she went into the adventure, the less she liked It. In Europe such enterprises had been known to have serious con sequences! She wondered about the restaurant woman, if she really had succeeded In shaking her off. She had the maid get her some lunch, and before the food was served, this last f , : ' c i jkiU Tim, I oV' . -37 self. "Rawdon Rawdon, of the for eign relations committee." And, of course, in her going about she runs', into colleagues she has known before. In Rome, Paris, Lon don, but the ethics of the same for bid recognition, and so they meet and pass on without so much as a flicker of an eyelash. Then one ntsht at a roadhouse over the Maryland line she sees for the first time, monsieur of the mustaches and tho military bearing. The road house 19 one of those places with a fixed clientele. All the patron seem to know each other, and there is much visiting about from table to table. and In the course of the evening mon sieur Is presented. . "Doctor Cavelll." " From his name the doctor Is prob ably an Italian. However, he isn't; he is no more art Italian than madame is a Frenchwdman. Indeed, he Is anything but that Which he seems. He aha madame fall Into easy con verse. "And monsieur knows Prague!" Monsieur Is apparently as delighted as Madame, and tie tells her of one May he . spent in Prague Some ten years ago. They really have saVoIr faire, these two, and It IS a rather good bit of byplay. By not so much as a shading of tone could It be guessed that their meeting is any thing but an accident most casual. She wants more knowledge of her a-roand and she allow Smith, of the Chicago Rockett to attack himself. Later In the evening madam smiles her appealing little smile, and mon sieur bows. Yes; he shall be delighted to call. The next morning he did SO; they have now consolidated their position. so to speak. Their government Is In formed, and they await orders. There are times, however, that th secret service IS compelled to take a hand, as In the cafe of the) Countess CaroTyl, a, dozen or So years ago. tt Is unlikely that the countess title was genuine there are many such In Washington nevertheless, she was a Very charming woman. She lived in one of the larger apartment hotels just off Dupont Circle. A fragile blond of uncertain age, but seeming little more than a girl, and always faultlessly attired, the coun tess was an unusually fascinating woman; her tiny menage was a tri umph, the little drawing room an achievement. She said she was a Vier.nese, and this was probably the truth. She had been in Washington perhaps for three years, naively al lowing it to be understood that In Vienna she had loved not wisely, and that the autocratic old emperor tin ish the tale to suit yourself. It sur ficed. It was not intended for men of the -world. These she seemed to avoid, preferring men around Wash ington, Secretaries from the house, one of two Mderiy politicians, and there were one or two young officers. It was a pleasant company, with even a woman acquaintance or two. It Is likely, of Course, that the more worldly wise of these msy have had some doubts as to her authenticity; but ehe was ah attractive Woman and kept a pleasant little place, and, as far as they knew, kept clear of any thing smacking of the nefarious, so they hushed their doubts and let It go at that. If she wanted to play-act, it whs none 6f their buslnessl They nrcrely put It down to the Inexplicable fore'sii love of the dramatic. Chlef est among thesS was an elderly sen ator who had been dancing, at tendance upon madame for nearly two years, a man of some influence. The count-as Was one day per turned to receive a telegram, sum moning her to New York. "Come to New York," It tead, and was signed "Z." Further instructions were unneces sary, besides it may not have been upper Fifth avenue hotel. Keeping to her rooms, she had her dinner sent' up that evening. Nobody had called upon her and she had received no in structions of any kind, but at 12 o'clock, aa she sat In negligee read ing, a largre manila envelope was pushed slowly under the door. Af fixed was another sheet of paper with a line or two of closely written instructions, which she immediately read, after which she laid it Upon an ash tray, held a match under it and watched tt burn, and then raised a window and blew tbe charred bits out Into tne night. Madame was nervous. She started to d--ess. The thing she had in mind was to find oat whether she was be ing watched or not. Dressed, sh Went down and sat on the lounge for a few minutes, and then going out, found a taxi, telling the driver to drive her in Central park for three-quarters of an hour. AS the machine started eff, she climbed upon the eeat, and kneeling, looked thraugh the little window In the back. Suddenly she muttered something, and her little white gloved hands cleiched; for another taxi left the curb scarcely SO yards behind her. During the three-quarters of an hour ride, the' pretty conspirator sat Hie. nauaiug ftdnw wubfc uu, miu I nuui . ... v.. 1 K n , n ? , r-r, nnn n 1 H M.a, nArfAtlv Stilt .TCPTlf that ROW H Tl f 1 York and established herself in an I then her hlte-gloved hards sought late and the mcmlng glory room was nearly deserted. There were few new arrivals, but presently the coun tess's watch was rewarded. A young ish woman, quietly dressed and un attended, entered and took a table at the far end of the room. Her eyes, for the merest fraction of a "sec end. had brushed madame In passing. With averted face, under her large black hat, madame leisurely finished her salad and half bottle of wine and went back to her room. Eh was very nervous. According to the instructions which she had burned, she was to keep the envelope until she had a chance to turn It over to her govern ment's military attache In Washing ton; she had been summoned to New" York by a male agent, who, fearing st rest, was afraid to have it in his possession any longer. f At once th next day she was back In the capital. She could not be cer tain whether she was being followed; she had seen nothing more of the woman of the Morning Glory room. She had a plan which she thought she could work with safety, and upon arriving In Washington had herself driven directly to the senate office building. She had been there before, and it seemed safe enough. "I came to tell you that I'm back," she said, smiling. Th senator was, of course, de lighted to see her. "Back-why, where have you been?" "I thought you might have been up PRICES RISE STEADILY IN NEVER-ENDING CYCLE Around and Around and Around Go the Increases, Each Dealer Adding When the Other Fellow Does, Says JameS J. Montague. w BY JAMES J. MONTAGUS. HEN Virgil Bascom. the drug store man. got a nice hew soda sign to tack up back of the fountain, he sent his office boy, Denny, over to Judson's hardware store to buy a paper of tacks. "Tacks is up. Mr. Bascom," said Denny, on his return. "Six cents a package Judson soaked me for em. 'Everything's up, confound it," said Bascom, gloomily. "I don't know how the devil they expect a fellow to exist in this man's Country. I'll be bank rupt before the first of the year. that's a cinch." And he turned away to wait on Jake Cartwright of the Elite garage. Jake had a had cut and wanted half alt ounee of iodine. Sixty cents,-' said Bascom, as he wrapped up the bottle. "What do you mean, SO eenta?" in quired Jake. "When mf kid skinned his knee-cap last month I bcught the same stuff off of you for 40 cents." I know, I know,", said Bascom, soothingly, "but all costs are up. I had to pay 8 cents for this amount bf iodine to the wholesaler just last week." Iodlae Take by Jake. So Joke took the Iodine, paid the CO cents and returned to the garage. where he found Hermie Kali, who drives for the New Troy laundry, In quest of spark plugs for his delivery car. . Hermie wanted two plugs. Jake get them out of the bee In the back of the accessory room. "A doliar-and quarter times two Is two-fifty," said .Take, who Was quick at figures. TWo-flfty, Hermie, and the plugs are years." "What do you Wanta be a dam thief for?" said Hermie. bitterly. "You know the regular price is a dollar for them kind of plugs." "Waa, Hermie, was," eajd Jake. "Everything has gone Up; I give you ray word, as an honeet man, that I paid a dollar-twenty for" those pings only yesterday. By the time t pay postage and storage and overhead and everything I'm out good money Sell ing them, but you haft a stand a, loss iiav And tlia,4 Brin ,ciiii I n ttita business." ' "I s pose Jesse james useta have to i stand a loss every little While," said Hermie. who had been a great reader of American history In his yduth. "If tbe boss hadda stand that kind o' losses he wouldn't be mnnin' nO laundry, he'd be a livlh' down to New port." With this Scathing witticism he de parted to break the news to th laui-dryman. Lauadrymam Ha BoltlMray. "I wonder what we're comin to," said John Ryder, the laundrymah, Oti receiving the sad tidings. "Katie, give me those bills again. Urn, I thought so. Tear 'em up and mark up col lars to T cents a piece and shirts to 38 cents. We simply got to keep our heads above water, no matter what It costs the customers.1 That hight Elbert Benson, who conducts the New Y6rk Fish, Poultry and Game Market, announced to his wife that, the morrow being the Sabbath, he proposed to celebrate It fittingly by adorning his person with a clean shirt. "1 don't blame yon, Elbert," said Mrs. Benson. "The fish business does sort o' make weekday shirts unfit to wear to service, but 1 warn you that tho washin' bills has rlx, an' we got to be a little careful Thirty-six cents that there Bhirt cost for washing. I'd have 'em done at home, but you al4 ways say tbat biled shirts Is too floppy to wear the way we do 'era here in the house. "It does beat me how they can do it," said Elbert. "You and me i headed for the poorhouse. Ma, and that ain't no lie. But Just the same, I guess ril wear the shirt, for what you say about the aroma o' fish hang in' around a fellow Is right." "Bright and early Monday morning came Schlffer. th Delicatessen man, to the New York Fish, Poultry and Game market to buy fowls for roast ing and resale. "I've got to charge you a little more, Schiffer," Said Benson gently. "Sixty-eight cents a pound fowls are this week." "It's an outrage," cried Schlffei-. "1 von't pay it." "All right, then, pay up your bill and go somewhere else." "But I can't pay no bill this month; you know how business has gone flooey mtt the feeling's against uS Chermans account von the war." Wholesale Is Blamed. Then I guesa you've got to pay my price. Honest to golly, Schiffer. I wouldn't skin you. Th wholesaler sticks me for fowls something fierce these day." Schiffer put tho fowls In Bis basket and departed. That evening Mrs. Judson, wife of th hardware man, discovered a short age In the icebox, and little Judith Judson waa sent down to Schlffer's for A roast chicken. Bhe was given A dollar and a half to task the pur chase. 6h returned with the chicken and a grievance. "Schiffer he says I could have the chicken, all right, but you still owe blm a half-dollar on it. She Said. "He let me lake it on ac count Of your being a leading citizen With credit good. Chickens. Schiffer says, has gone up something fierce. This Information Mrs. Judson duly imparted to her, lord and master at dinner time, and the comments there on practically ruined the evening meal. In the meantime Virgil Bascom, having received another Invoice of tasteful soda signs, had run out of carpet tacks. In the morning he sent the boy Denny over to Judeon's hard ware store to renew tbe supply. Den ny returned aghast. "You know them tack Bad wht up to t cents last week?" be shouted as he fan Into th Store. "Well, old Jud son says there's been another ad vance, and we gotta pay 10 cents for 'em today. Wnereupon, but the first lap of the series of vicious circles is cow complete, and we leave our read era to niafce their own moral. EX-KAISER'S REFUGE WILL DEPEND ON ALLIED CONSENT Old Mansion In Dutch Village Purchased and Extensive Alterations and Improvements Ordered for Comfort of Former Emperor. r T IS doubtful If any ether war from the beginning of time brought such a running into exile or seeking or new homes by kings, queens, emperors, empresses, princes. princesses and archdukes as the great conflict recently closed. Beginning with William Hohenzol- lern and then on down the entire line of lesser rulers of the fatherland, the entire royal crew have been cast on the junk heap. But Germany is by no means the only land which has put aside her royalties. Russia, Austria and Hungary have done the same, and Greece, while still continuing her king, has made a -change of ruler, as have some of the other countries of the Balkans. But among ths rul ers of tho former Imperial German empire the greatest movings and changes of residence have taken place. When the ex-kaiser, acting much against his wishes but upon the ad vice of his best friends, fled to Hol land he took up his residence at Amerongen, where he has since con tinued to reside, but. It Is rumored, things have not been running alto gether smoothly between William and his Dutch host. At the best It Is a doubtful honor I to offer hospitality and the right of asylum to a fallen monarch, and there s such a thing as wearing one's wel come out. According to stories cur rent in the town of Amerongen, some time ago the ex-kaiser was politely asked to move as soon as he could make It convenient, and finally he has taken the step by purchasing the fa mous old mansion of Doorh, where he now expects to settle down for life, provided the allies do net insist upon Holland's handing him over for trial for crimes against international law with the S00 or more other German notables, including former Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria. As matters look now. Doom is des tlned to become famous because of Its 1 association with, the ex-ruler ol Get many. Just as the Island of St. Helena did In the days of Napoleon. Doom, numbering 3000 Inhabitants, is already buzzing with gossip, claim ing the same rights as Amerongen to a knowledge of the doings of former royalties. As soon as the house at Doom was definitely purchased by William, agents and surveyors arrived on the scene and arrangements were made for elaborate alterations. Extensive changes have been made in the sta bles and garages, while the outhouses have also been altered to make sleep ing quarters for servants. This house. hlch is comparatively small, con taining only IS rooms, exclusive of servants' quarters, will be left much as it Is, with the exception of reno vatlng. But the ex-kalser has pur chased numerous villas In Doom for hi staff. According to village gossip, these 111 be allotted te General Von Dom- mes, the kaiser's adjutant;. to his doc tor and family, and to other members of the staff. The house bf Doom Is surrounded by a beautiful wooded es tate, but has by no means the ee elusion of Amerongen, with the lat ters double moats, draw-bridge and high walls. At Doom the rear of the house and grounds Is plainly visible from the high-road and street ca lines, which Is the connecting link with civilization and also runs to Amerongen. But following out th kalser'S orders a high fence is being built around the estate. wnen an emperor moves, even an ex one. It Is some moving. For week back lumbering furniture vans have been cluttering up the roads betwee Zelst and Doom. These vans were shipped by mall to Kelst from Ger many, and contain the household goods and gods of the ex-emperor, which have been collected from hi various castles and estates In Ger many. They have been stored Doom and it is said Insurance $4,000,000 has been taken out for the furniture. question was answered. The bell rang. "A lady," the maid announced. Though terribly excited, the coun tess comrived to appear calm. "Show her in here." she said, in a peculiar, muffled voice. The two women faced each other. "The Countess Carolyi?" Madame bowed and Indicated a chair. The visitor began without prelude: "I am from the secret service. Ma dame, you are Just back from New York and we have reason to believe you have In your possession a paper which we want." The Austrian's face showed her mystification. "A paper I don't know what you mean. And. yes. it is true that I was in New York yesterday." The other frowned. "May I use your telephone for a moment?" She called a number. "Yes," she said. Into the Instrument, "I'm there now In her apartment. I think you'd better come." Within 10 minutes a man arrived whom she Introduced as "Mr. Win ston." and who Immediately assumed charge. "Now. we'll get right down to busl- ess," he said. "Take her Into that other room and search her. and I'll go over the place. We'll make a good Job." At first madame protested Indig nantly, but presently acceded. The search was most thorough, but nothing was found. Obviously, tne wo visitors are puzzled, and ma- amS's Indignation grows, "I did not think such things could happen In America!" she cried, tearfully, and then stopped. In the excitement only she had heard the bell, and she urned and is facing the door as the enator enters. It seems that I am accused of be ing a Bpy!" A a spy!" exclaimed the senator. looking from one to '-he other. "We think some drawings were assed on to her In New York," said Winston. "She says she went to New York to shop. Well, she wasn't In shop while she was away. We think he went to New York to get some rawlngs. We arrested the man. but didn't get anything on him, and we think he passed them on to her In a hotel last night." What drawings what drawings were they?" The woman spoke! "Panama canal defenses." she said briefly. It was plain to be seen that she was chag rined, and that Bhe could not believe that she had been on a wrong track. Madame maintained a contemptu ous silence. Senator." said the man Winston, after a moment's hesitation. "Did you know the countess had been In New York?" Yes." She told you, then, before she went that she was going?" "No," answered the old man, puz zled. "After she got back. fano stopped In my office." All eyes were now turned upon him. Madame stood biting her lips. The woman now began slowly speaking, ind her tone partook more the qual ity of a statement of fact than a question. "Senator, she asked, am she give you a package to keep for her at your office a manila en velope?" He nodded. "But I am sure there must be some mistake about all this," he essayed Irresolutely. Winston broke In brusquely. "The best way, senator. If you don't want to turn it right over to us, would be for' you to open It yourself." Madame seemed to be gathering herself: she looked up dully. "Yes," She said, "open it." The two men left together and the woman stayed behind. Madame sat Inert in the room's far corner. A half hour passed, and then the tele phone rang. The older woman smiled momentarily as she listened, and then she hung th Instrument up and faced the countess. "Sometimes." she said, in a harsh voice, "I think It's a mistake that we don't handle these matters as they do In Europe. They have opened your envelope." She paused. "Ma dame, you have five hours to leave Washington and forty-eight hours to be out of the country." ' ACoPirifiLt. 1819, Public Ledger Co. In
