Above: Baroness Helene Vetsera (1847-1925), about 1880 (detail).

Source: Wikimedia Commons.

17. Interrogation (continued)

Taaffe had instructed Krauss to suggest that Josef leave Vienna in exchange for a "guarantee of a sufficient existence" (i.e., enough money to live on). Krauss suggested this more than once, but Josef "resolutely resisted" the idea and Krauss let the matter drop.

Antonia testified that Josef came under more pressure to leave Vienna when the emperor's Lord Chamberlain, Prince Montenuovo, came to their apartment and "told my father very forcefully: 'You must leave Vienna'". Josef refused again and with regard to keeping silent retorted "My word of honor is as valid as that of a gentleman" (Konhäuser).

According to Antonia Josef never told his family any details of his journey to Mayerling, apart from saying that he and Rudolf had to push the cab when it got stuck in the snow, and telling how Mary gave him her watch and ring.

However, Helene's friend Princess Nora Fugger claimed in her memoirs that Josef wrote a letter to Helene "telling her that he had been the last person to see her daughter. Her daughter had been relaxed and cheerful. She appeared to have gone to her death fearlessly" (Judtmann 66).

Another source claimed that Josef visited Helene and offered to return Mary's watch and ring. If true, Helene must have refused the offer and then changed her mind. According to Antonia, "One day [Count Georg Stockau], Mary's uncle, appeared at my father's house with an urgent request to give him the watch for Mary's mother (in exchange for a substantial fee). My father reluctantly agreed" (Konhäuser).