Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 edition. Excerpt: ...Emperor was evidently asking about the progress made in perfecting the plans for his intended journey, for the Count reported Ehren-krug's refusal to have anything to do with the undertaking. Receiving some peremptory commands, the Count replied, "Useless, Sire. He had that typically Ehrenkrug mule expression on his face, and I know the breed too well. To try persuasion and force is of course out of the question.... You command Ehrenkrug's presence? Zu Befehl, Sire." That afternoon Ehrenkrug received a summons to attend the Emperor at the close of the gala opera. Punctually at quarter to eleven Ehrenkrug presented himself to the usher at the royal box and was told to wait and accompany His Majesty to his chambers at the Wilhelmstrasse. At the close of the performance the Emperor took leave of the Empress and his family; and at a sign, Ehrenkrug entered the second of the two waiting royal motor cars, which were driven rapidly to the Wilhelmstrasse. 1 It is an invariable rule that all secret service officials in communicating with the Emperor or each other always use a number, the Emperor replying with the letters "S.M." Here in the famous underground chamber 1 Count Wedell awaited His Majesty. Without pause the Emperor walked into the inner chamber, Ehrenkrug remaining in the outer room. An officer in the undress uniform of the First Royal Life Guards was guarding the door. Ehrenkrug had to wait fully a half hour before summoned to the Emperor's presence. During this time, although both young men, the officer and Ehrenkrug, were well known to each other, both being scions of old noble houses, not one word of conversation passed between them. Such is the ironclad rule of the Emperor's personal staff. The inner door opened and Count Wedell...
