"Ah, oui,--the Crown Prince. Messieurs, we have absolute
testimony that this woman lived for nearly two years either in
Metz or Berlin, and further, that at Metz, the Crown Prince was a
constant visitor at her house. She was one of the ladies who
nearly precipitated a definite rupture between the Crown Prince
and his wife. Mon Admiral," he went on, addressing the First Sea
Lord again, that this woman should be at large is a direct menace
to the security of this country and of mine. It is only this
morning that I at length received from Paris the facts which I
have just laid before you. It is for you to order your action
accordingly!"
The little Frenchman folded his arms pompously and gazed at the
ceiling.
"How does she explain her movements prior to her coming to this
country" the First Sea Lord asked the Chief.
For an answer the Chief pressed the bell.
"Samuel, who engaged her, is outside. You shall hear her story
from him," he said.
Samuel entered, exuding business acumen, prosperity, geniality.
He nodded brightly to the Chief and stood expectant.
"Ah, Mr. Samuel," said the Chief, " I wanted to see you about
Nur-el-Din. You remember our former conversation on the subject.
Where did she say she went to when she escaped to Brussels?"
"First to Ostend," replied the music-hall proprietor, "and then,
when the general exodus took place from there, to her mother's
country place near Lyons, a village called Sermoise-aux-Roses.
Pages:
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135