You'll see to it that
nothing of their identity becomes known. You will look after them in
every way. You will destroy all writing, such as paper and blotters.
You will burn any such things in the presence of Herr von
Kinderlen-Waechter."
He paused impressively, and I found my mind in a whirl. What his
words portended I could guess. This mission promised to be very
interesting indeed.
"I want you to be at the place of meeting," von Wedel continued,
"three days before the arrival of these gentlemen. You will have to
make arrangements as regards catering and so forth. You'll be the
only attendant. Means have been taken to assure strict privacy in the
district. Understand that we want this to be thoroughly cloaked. I
suggest to you the idea of a hunting party. The details I leave to
you. The gentlemen in question may or may not be known to you. I
shall write you their names."
His pen began scratching across a piece of paper, and I had a moment
in which to realize the grave importance of this mission: the future
of Germany menaced, complete isolation was in the making between
England, France, and Russia; and the Kaiser was about to save Germany
by a master stroke of diplomacy. Of what tremendous importance it
was, however, I did not learn until I had gone down into the forest.
Looking up, von Wedel tossed a piece of paper across the desk to me
(the identical paper which has been reproduced in connection with this
article).
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