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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-22 18:02:03 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-22 18:02:03 -0800 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5df9a47 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #66181 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66181) diff --git a/old/66181-0.txt b/old/66181-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8a616c0..0000000 --- a/old/66181-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9337 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Secret History of To-day, by Allen Upward - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Secret History of To-day - Being Revelations of a Diplomatic Spy - -Author: Allen Upward - -Release Date: August 30, 2021 [eBook #66181] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: D A Alexander, John Campbell and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by University - of California libraries) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SECRET HISTORY OF TO-DAY *** - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - - Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been - placed at the end of the book. There are only two in this book. - - Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been - corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within - the text and consultation of external sources. - - Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, - and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained. - - Pg vi: ‘William II.’ replaced by ‘Wilhelm II.’. - Pg vii: page no. ‘256’ replaced by ‘254’, and ‘258’ replaced by ‘256’. - Pg 188: ‘William II.’ replaced by ‘Wilhelm II.’. - Pg 303: ‘Guiseppe Sarto’ replaced by ‘Giuseppe Sarto’. - - - - -[Illustration: “The Kaiser was attired in his most magnificent -costume, wearing the famous winged helmet on his head, and surrounded -by a galaxy of ministers and great officers, all arrayed in the -utmost military splendour.”] - - - - - Secret History of - To-Day - - Being Revelations of a Diplomatic Spy - - - By - Allen Upward - - Author of “Secrets of the Courts of Europe” - “Treason,” etc. - - - Illustrated - - - G. P. Putnam’s Sons - New York and London - The Knickerbocker Press - 1904 - - - - -CONTENTS - - - I - PAGE - THE TELEGRAM WHICH BEGAN THE BOER WAR 1 - - - II - - THE BLOWING UP OF THE ‘MAINE’ 31 - - - III - - THE MYSTERY OF CAPTAIN DREYFUS 56 - - - IV - - WHAT WAS BEHIND THE TSAR’S PEACE RESCRIPT 91 - - - V - - WHO REALLY KILLED KING HUMBERT 120 - - - VI - - THE PERIL OF NORWAY 146 - - - VII - - THE RUSE OF THE DOWAGER EMPRESS 170 - - - VIII - - THE ABDICATION OF FRANCIS-JOSEPH 191 - - - IX - - THE DEATH OF QUEEN DRAGA 217 - - - X - - THE POLICY OF EDWARD VII 242 - - - XI - - THE HUMBERT MILLIONS 264 - - - XII - - THE BLACK POPE 288 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - PAGE - “The Kaiser was attired in his most magnificent - costume, wearing the famous winged helmet on his - head, and surrounded by a galaxy of ministers and - great officers, all arrayed in the utmost military - splendour.” _Frontispiece_ - - “A glance at the cheval glass showed me a stiff, - well set-up Prussian official.” 10 - - “‘I have sent for you, in two words, to find out - for me the authorship of this telegram,’ the Kaiser - said.” 12 - - “‘My God!’ he cried out. ‘Who has done this? I shall - be ruined!’” 22 - - “‘We shall find out whether he is a priest,’ was the - retort.” 46 - - “She would talk about her convent.” 48 - - “‘Father Kehler has been good enough to visit a poor - sailor who is lying sick on board,’ he said, in a - tone evidently meant to rebuke my impertinence.” 50 - - “‘As to that--impossible!’ he exclaimed with vigour. - ‘That is our secret--ours, you understand.’” 62 - - “‘Am I under arrest too?’ Prince Pierre demanded - with some indignation.” 72 - - “The Tsar now interposed in a tone of more authority - than I had ventured to hope for. ‘Do you suggest, M. - V----, that the whole staff of the French army are - engaged in a conspiracy to forge documents?’” 88 - - “‘Your Majesty must judge me by what I have - done already. Two days ago you had never heard - my name. Now I am here, alone with you, with a - loaded revolver in my pocket.’ The Sultan started - violently.” 98 - - “It was a singular scene, as I stood there laying - down pile after pile of greasy ten-thousand-rouble - notes on a richly inlaid table.” 106 - - “There at my feet, along the widening valley, lay a - double line of rails, and all across the level space - stretched low banks and ditches--the lines of a vast - encampment, capable of accommodating half a million - men.” 116 - - “I walked past him without a word.” 126 - - “‘I am not under anybody’s orders,’ I said, rising - to my feet.” 130 - - “‘You are free,’ he said briefly. ‘The right man has - been arrested, too late.’” 144 - - “‘Let me see your warrant,’ I said.” 158 - - “He bent forward to listen, and as he did so I - launched my clenched fist at his right temple with - my full force.” 164 - - “I watched the brave monarch read it through from - beginning to end without one manifestation of - dismay.” 168 - - “Finally he turned his back without a word, and - rushed from the room.” 176 - - “Wilhelm II. strode to me, seized me by the - shoulders, and thrust me out of the room.” 188 - - “‘Will you permit me to ask you,’ he said politely, - ‘if you have ever done any business on behalf of the - Emperor of Austria-Hungary?’” 192 - - “The Emperor could not repress a slight start.” 198 - - “I rode right over him.” 212 - - “I took out my loaded revolver, cocked it, and - advanced to the threshold.” 232 - - “Queen Draga cast herself on the inanimate form on - the bed, concealed the face in her arms, and allowed - herself to be stabbed by a dozen bayonets.” 240 - - “‘V----!’ he exclaimed, drawing back as if he had - been stung.” 250 - - “‘Arrest that man!’ the Kaiser commanded, without - giving him time to speak.” 254 - - “‘Now,’ said the Kaiser, stepping close to my side, - ‘tell me the truth--the real truth, mind--and I will - spare your life.’” 256 - - “‘I am going to ask you to undertake a service of an - unusual kind.’” 266 - - “My visitor started as she heard her name, and threw - up her veil with a gesture of astonishment and - indignation.” 274 - - “I was stopped at the barricade by a pompous - sergeant of police.” 280 - - “The chief detective came close up to me, put - his mouth to my ear, and whispered, ‘_Le drapeau - blanc!_’” 284 - - “I found the Cardinal absorbed in the inspection of - his newly arrived treasures.” 296 - - “Saddened and subdued, I quitted the audience - chamber of Pius X.” 306 - - “‘I can only render one more service to your Majesty, - and that is to advise you to make your peace with - the Black Pope.’” 308 - - - - -I - -THE TELEGRAM WHICH BEGAN THE BOER WAR - - -The initials under which I write these confessions are not those of -my real name, which I could not disclose without exposing myself -to the revenge of formidable enemies. As it is, I run a very great -risk in making revelations which affect some of the most powerful -personages now living; and it is only by the exercise of the utmost -discretion that I can hope to avoid giving offence in quarters in -which the slightest disrespect is apt to have serious consequences. - -If I should be found to err on the side of frankness, I can only -plead in excuse that I have never yet betrayed the confidence placed -in me by the various Governments and illustrious families which have -employed me from time to time. The late Prince Bismarck once honoured -me by saying: ‘To tell secrets to Monsieur V---- is like putting them -into a strong box, with the certainty that they will not come out -again until one wants them to.’ - -In these reminiscences it is my object to recount some of the -services I have rendered to civilisation in the course of my career, -while abstaining as far as possible from compromising exalted -individuals or embittering international relations. - -That I am not a man who opens his mouth rashly may be gathered -from the fact that, although at any time during the long struggle -between Briton and Boer for the mastery in South Africa, I might -have completely changed the situation with a word, that word was not -uttered while a single Boer remained under arms. - -In order to explain how I came to be concerned in this affair, I had -better begin by giving a few particulars about myself, and the almost -unique position which I hold among the secret service bureaus of -Europe and America. - -By birth I am a citizen of the United States of America, being the -son of a Polish father, exiled on account of his political opinions, -and a French mother. From my childhood I showed an extraordinary -aptitude for languages, so that there is now scarcely a civilised -country outside Portugal and Scandinavia in which I am not able to -converse with the natives in their own tongue. At the same time, I -was possessed, ever since I can remember, with a passion for intrigue -and mystery. The romances of Gaboriau were the favourite reading of -my boyhood, and it was my ambition to become a famous detective, the -Vidocq of America. - -Fired by these visions, I ran away from the insurance office in which -my parents had placed me, when I was little more than sixteen, and -applied for admission to the ranks of the famous Pinkerton Police. -Although my youth was against me, my phenomenal command of languages -turned the scale in my favour, and I was given a trial. - -Very soon I had opportunities of distinguishing myself in more than -one mission to Europe, on the track of absconding criminals; and in -this way I earned the favourable notice of the heads of the detective -police in London, Paris, Berlin, and other capitals. - -At length, finding that I possessed unique qualifications for -the work of an international secret agent, I decided to quit the -Pinkerton service, and set up for myself, making my headquarters in -Paris. From that day to this I have had no cause to repent of my -audacity. I have been employed at one time or another by nearly every -Government in the world, and my clients have included nearly every -crowned head, from the late Queen Victoria to the Dowager Empress of -China. I have been sent for on the same day by the Ambassadors of two -hostile Powers, each of which desired to employ me against the other. - -On one occasion I acted on behalf of a famous German Chancellor -against his then master, and on another on behalf of the Emperor -against his Chancellor; and neither had cause to complain of my -fidelity. I have been instrumental in freeing a Queen renowned for -her beauty from the persecution of a blackmailer set on by a foreign -court; and I have more than once detected and defeated the plots of -anarchists for the assassination of their rulers. - -In this way it has come about that I enjoy the friendship and -confidence of many illustrious personages, whose names would excite -envy were I at liberty to mention them in these pages; and that few -events of any magnitude happen in any part of the globe without my -being in some measure concerned in them. - -Often, when some great affair has been proceeding, I have felt myself -as occupying the position of the stage manager, who looks on from the -wings, directing the entrances and exits of the gorgeously dressed -performers who engross the attention and applause of the ignorant -spectators on the other side of the footlights. - - * * * * * - -The true story of the famous telegram which may be said to have -rendered the South African War inevitable is one which strikingly -illustrates the extent to which the public may be deceived about the -most important transactions of contemporary history. - -Every one is familiar with the situation created by that celebrated -despatch. For some time previously all England, and, in fact, all -Europe, had been agitated by the intelligence that Johannesburg was -on the eve of insurrection, that the Boers were drawing their forces -together about the doomed city, that Dr. Jameson had dashed across -the frontier with five hundred followers in a mad attempt to come to -the aid of the threatened Outlanders, and that his action had been -formally disavowed by the British Government. - -Close on the heels of these tidings came the memorable day on which -London was cast into gloom by long streams of placards issuing from -the newspaper offices bearing the dismal legend, ‘Jameson Beaten and -a Prisoner!’ - -While the populace were yet reeling under the blow, divided between -distress at this humiliation for the British flag, and indignation -at the criminal recklessness which had staked the country’s honour -on a gambler’s throw, there came the portentous news that the head -of the great German Empire, the grandson of Queen Victoria, had sent -a public message of congratulation to the Boer President, rejoicing -with him in the face of the world over an event which every -Englishman felt as a national disaster. - -That hour registered the doom of the Pretorian Government. Jameson -was scornfully forgotten. The British people, as proud as it is -generous, made up its mind that the forbearance so long extended to -a vassal of its own, could no longer be shown with honour to the -_protégé_ of a mighty European Power. - -On the very day on which this celebrated despatch appeared as the -chief item of news in all the newspapers of the world, I received -an urgent cipher message from the Director of the Imperial Secret -Service, Herr Finkelstein, demanding my presence in Berlin. - -My headquarters, as I have said, are in Paris, and fortunately I -was disengaged when the summons arrived. I had merely to dictate a -few dozen wires to my staff, while my valet was strapping up the -portmanteau which always stands ready packed in my dressing-room, and -to look out my German passport--for I have a separate one for every -important nationality--and in an hour or two I was seated in the -Berlin express, speeding towards the frontier. - -From the bunch of papers which my attentive secretary had thrust into -the carriage, I learned something of the effect which the German -Emperor’s interference in the affairs of South Africa had produced -on the public mind in England. It was evident that the Islanders were -strongly roused, and were preparing to pick up the gage of battle -which had been thrown down. No sooner had I reached German territory -than I found evidences of an even greater excitement. The whole -nation seemed to have rallied round the Kaiser, and to be ready to -back up his words with martial deeds. - -By this time I had little doubt that I had been sent for in -connection with the outbreak of hostile feeling between the two -Powers. But it was impossible for me to anticipate the actual nature -of the task which awaited me. - -On reaching Berlin I was met by a private emissary of Finkelstein’s, -who hurried me off to the Director’s private house. The first words -with which he greeted me convinced me that the business I had come -about was of no ordinary kind. - -‘Do not sit down,’ he said to me, as I was about to drop into a -chair, after shaking hands with him. ‘I must ask you to come to my -dressing-room at once, where you will transform yourself as quickly -as possible into an officer of the Berlin Police. The moment that is -done, I am to conduct you to the Palace, where his Majesty will see -you alone.’ - -As I followed the Director into the dressing-room, where I found a -uniform suit laid out ready for my wearing, I naturally asked: ‘Can -you tell me what this is about?’ - -Finkelstein shook his head with a mysterious air. - -‘The Kaiser has told me nothing. But he warned me very strictly not -to let a single creature in Berlin know of your arrival, and from -that fact I have naturally drawn certain conclusions.’ - -I gazed at Finkelstein with some suspicion. We were good friends, -having worked together on more than one occasion, and I knew he would -have no wish to keep me in the dark. On the other hand, if he had -been instructed to do so, I knew he would not hesitate to lie to me. -The secret service has its code of honour, like other professions, -and fidelity to one’s employer comes before friendship. - -Keeping my eye fixed on him, I observed carelessly-- - -‘You will tell me just as much or as little as you think fit, my -dear Finkelstein. On my part I shall, of course, exercise a similar -discretion after his Imperial Majesty has given me my instructions.’ - -As I expected, the bait took. Curiosity is the besetting weakness of -a secret service officer, and the Berlin Director was no exception -to the rule. Putting on his most confidential manner, he at once -replied-- - -‘My dear V----, if you and I do not trust each other, whom can we -trust? Rest assured that my confidence in you has no reserves. I -have spoken the bare truth in saying that the Kaiser has given me no -indication of his object in sending for you. But the fact that he -has ordered me to take these precautions to conceal the fact of your -arrival in Berlin tells me plainly that there is a person whom he -wishes to keep in ignorance; and that person can only be----’ - -‘The Chancellor?’ I threw in, as my companion hesitated. - -Finkelstein nodded. - -‘You consider, perhaps, that it is against the Chancellor that I am -to be employed?’ I went on. - -‘It looks like it,’ was the cautious answer. - -‘And the reason why this task is not placed in your hands?’ - -‘Is because I am a native of Hanover, and the Kaiser regards me -rather as a public official than as a personal servant of his own -dynasty,’ said Finkelstein. - -‘In other words, he regards you as a creature of the Chancellor’s,’ I -commented bluntly. - -The Director made a pleasing and ingenious attempt to blush. - -‘I can only affirm to you, on my sacred word of honour, that his -Majesty has no cause to trust me any less than if I were a Prussian,’ -he declared. ‘And I shall take it as a personal kindness if you will -endeavour to convince the Kaiser of my loyalty.’ - -‘I will take care that he knows your sentiments,’ I answered, with an -ambiguity which Finkelstein fortunately did not remark. - -By this time I had completed my transformation. A glance at the -cheval glass showed me a stiff, well-set-up Prussian official, -exhaling the very atmosphere of Junkerdom and sauerkraut. I gave the -signal to depart, and we were quickly driving up the Unter den Linden -on our way to the Imperial Palace. - -‘Announce to his Majesty--the Herr Director Finkelstein and the Herr -Inspector Vehm,’ my companion said to the doorkeeper. - -A servant, who had evidently received special instructions, stepped -forward. - -‘The Herr Inspector is to be taken to his Majesty at once,’ he said -firmly. - -Finkelstein bit his lip as he unwillingly turned to re-enter his -carriage. I followed the lackey into the private cabinet of the -monarch who had just found himself the centre of an international -cyclone. - -[Illustration: “A glance at the cheval glass showed me a stiff, well -set-up Prussian official.”] - -Wilhelm II. received me cordially. It was not the first time we had -met. About the time of his ascending the throne I had been the means -of inflicting on him a defeat which a smaller man would have found -it hard to forgive. Fortunately, the German Kaiser was of metal -sterling enough to recognise merit even in an enemy, and to realise -that my fidelity to my then employer was the best guarantee that I -should be equally faithful to himself, if it fell to my lot to serve -him. - -‘What has Finkelstein told you?’ was the Emperor’s first question, -after he had graciously invited me to sit down. - -‘Only that he was able to tell me nothing, sire.’ - -The Emperor gave me a suspicious glance. - -‘He appeared to regret that your Majesty had not given him your -confidence,’ I added, choosing my words warily. ‘He assured me that -you might rely on his entire devotion, as much so as if he were a -native of your hereditary States.’ - -‘And what do you say as to that?’ demanded the Kaiser, with a -piercing look. - -‘I think that your Majesty cannot be too careful whom you trust.’ - -Wilhelm II. allowed himself to smile gravely. - -‘I see, Monsieur V----, that you are a prudent man. If Herr -Finkelstein wishes to convince me of his loyalty to the -Hohenzollerns, he cannot begin better than by renouncing the pension -which he continues to draw secretly from the Duke of ----.’ His -Majesty pronounced the name by which a well-known dispossessed -sovereign goes in his exile. - -Familiar as I long have been with instances of perfidy in others, I -could not restrain an exclamation of astonishment at this revelation -of Finkelstein’s double dealing. The Kaiser continued-- - -‘After that you will not be surprised if I caution you particularly -against letting Herr Finkelstein know anything of the object of the -inquiry I wish you to undertake.’ - -I bowed respectfully, and waited with some impatience to learn the -true nature of my mission. - -‘I could not receive you here without taking some one into the -secret of your employment,’ the Kaiser went on to explain; ‘and I -chose Finkelstein in order to give the affair as much as possible -the aspect of a private and domestic matter. In reality the task I -have to set you is one of the most grave in which you have ever been -engaged.’ - -The Kaiser took one of the Berlin papers of the day before, which was -lying on the desk in front of him, and pointed to a column in which -was set out in conspicuous type the telegram which had convulsed -Europe and Africa, and had already caused Lord Salisbury to issue -orders for the mobilisation of his Flying Squadron. - -‘I have sent for you, in two words, to find out for me the authorship -of this telegram,’ the Kaiser said. - -[Illustration: “‘I have sent for you, in two words, to find out for -me the authorship of this telegram,’ the Kaiser said.”] - -Notwithstanding my long training in the most tortuous paths of -secret intrigue, I was fairly taken aback by this announcement. - -‘That telegram!’ I could only exclaim. ‘The one which your Majesty -addressed to President Kruger!’ - -‘_I never sent it_,’ Wilhelm II. declared gravely. ‘It is a forgery -pure and simple.’ - -For a moment I sat still in my chair, almost unable to think. - -‘But what----? But who----?’ I articulated, struggling with my -bewilderment. - -‘That is what you have got to find out for me,’ was the answer. ‘Let -me tell you all I know. The first intimation I had of the existence -of such a thing was the sight of it in the Press. I sent instantly -for the Chancellor, who came here wearing a reproachful expression, -and evidently prepared to complain bitterly of my having taken such a -step without previously informing him. When I told him that the whole -thing was an impudent fabrication, he could scarcely believe his -ears. In fact, for some time I believe he was inclined to consider my -repudiation of it as a mere official denial.’ - -I ventured to raise my eyes to his Majesty’s as I observed-- - -‘Your Majesty has taken no steps to make your repudiation public?’ - -The Kaiser gave an angry frown. - -‘That is the serious part of the affair,’ he answered. ‘Kruger, in -his eagerness to proclaim to the world that I was on his side, had -sent copies of this infamous production to every newspaper in the two -hemispheres before it reached my eyes. At the moment when I first saw -it, it had already been read and commented upon all round the globe. -The British newspapers were already threatening war, and my own -people had been excited to a pitch of enthusiasm such as no other act -of mine has ever called forth. You see the position I was placed in. -If I were now to disavow this forgery, my disavowal would be received -everywhere with the same scepticism as was felt even by my own -Chancellor. The British would triumph over me, and my own subjects -would never forgive me for what they would regard as a surrender to -British threats.’ - -I sat silent. I realised the full difficulty of the Kaiser’s -position. He was committed in spite of himself to the act of some -impostor, whose real motives were yet to be discovered, but who had -already succeeded in bringing the two greatest Powers of Europe to -the verge of war. - -‘Before I can undo the mischief which has been done,’ the Emperor -proceeded, ‘I must first of all ascertain from what quarter this -forgery emanated. When I have obtained that information, backed by -clear and convincing proofs, it may be possible for me to satisfy -the British Government that they and I have been the victims of a -conspiracy. If you can succeed in furnishing me with those proofs, it -shall be the best day’s work you ever did in your life.’ - -I listened carefully to these words, scrutinising them for any trace -of a double meaning. It was impossible for me to dismiss entirely -from my mind that suspicion which the story told by Wilhelm II. was -naturally calculated to excite. I asked myself whether the Kaiser was -really in earnest, or whether he was not inviting me, in a delicate -fashion, to extricate him from the consequences of his own rashness, -by putting together some fictitious account of the origin of the -telegram, which might impose on Lord Salisbury. - -It was clearly necessary, however, for me to appear to be convinced. - -‘May I ask if your Majesty’s suspicions point in any particular -direction?’ I asked, trying to feel my way cautiously. ‘The President -of the Boers is perhaps----’ - -The Kaiser interrupted me. - -‘I do not think Kruger would dare to provoke me by such a trick. -He would know that he would be the first to suffer when it was -found out. No, I am convinced that we must look nearer home for the -traitor.’ - -Something in the Emperor’s tone struck me as significant. - -‘If you could give me any indication of the person----’ I ventured to -throw out. - -His Majesty looked at me fixedly as he answered-- - -‘Does it not occur to you, Monsieur V----, that there is in my Empire -a powerful family, the heads of which seem at one time to have -cherished the notion that the Hohenzollerns could not reign without -them, a family which aspired to play the same part in modern Germany -which was played by the Mayors of the Palace in the Empire of the -Merovingians?’ - -‘You allude, sire, without doubt, to the Bismarcks?’ - -‘My grandfather was forced into war with the French by a forged -telegram. There would be nothing surprising in an attempt from the -same quarter to force me into a war with England.’ - -I had no answer to make to such reasoning. Daring as such a manœuvre -might appear, it was absurd, in the face of historical facts, to -pronounce it improbable. - -After a minute spent in considering the situation, I turned to the -question of how the fraud might have been carried out. - -It was quite clear to me that such a message could not have gone -over the ordinary wires. The despatches of Emperors are not, as a -rule, handed in over the counter of a post-office, like a telegram -from a husband announcing that he is prevented from dining at home. I -asked the Kaiser to explain to me the system pursued with regard to -Imperial messages. - -‘That is a matter about which you will be able to learn more from -the Chancellor than from me,’ was the answer. ‘Foreign despatches go -through the Chancellery, and there is a staff of telegraphists there -to deal with them. The wire goes direct to the Central Telegraph -Office, I believe, from which it would, of course, find its way to -the Cable Company.’ - -‘Then this fabrication must have been sent from the Chancellery in -the first instance?’ I inquired. ‘It could not have been received at -the Central Office from an outside source?’ - -‘Impossible. They would not dare to transmit a message in my name -which had not reached them through one of the authorised channels.’ - -This was the reply I had expected. But I did not fail to mark the -admission that there was more than one channel through which the -forgery might have come. I was quick to ask-- - -‘Is there not some other source from which this telegram may have -reached them besides the Chancellery? Your Majesty, no doubt, has a -private wire from the Palace.’ - -The Kaiser looked a little put out. - -‘That is so, of course,’ he conceded. ‘But that wire is used only for -my personal messages, and those of the Imperial family.’ - -‘Still, a message received over this wire, and couched in your name, -would be accepted at the Central Office, would it not?’ I persisted. - -‘Undoubtedly. But the Palace operator, a man who works under the -eye of my secretary, would not dare to play me such a trick, which, -he would be aware, must be detected immediately. Take my advice, -Monsieur V----, waste no time over side paths, but go direct to the -Chancellor, and commence your perquisitions among his staff.’ - -I bowed respectfully, as though accepting this plan of campaign. But, -as I withdrew from the Emperor’s cabinet, the doubt pressed more -strongly than ever upon my mind whether I was not being asked to play -a part. I half expected to find everything prepared for me at the -Chancellery, prearranged clues leading to the detection of a culprit -who would recite a confession which had been put into his mouth -beforehand. - -I was perfectly willing to perform my part in the comedy in a manner -satisfactory to my employer, but all the same I meant to keep my eyes -open, and not to let myself be the victim of a deception intended for -English consumption. - -In this mood I presented myself before the Chancellor. As soon as the -Imperial autograph introducing me had met his eye, his Excellency -threw aside, or pretended to throw aside, all reserve. - -‘I am delighted to find the Emperor has placed this business in your -hands, Monsieur V----,’ he said obligingly. ‘Your reputation is well -known to me, and I am convinced that you will be perfectly discreet. -The Emperor is, of course, thoroughly taken aback by the results -of his unfortunate impulse, and wishes to relieve himself of the -responsibility he has incurred. In that I am quite willing to help -him, but not at my own expense, you understand.’ - -I murmured something about the Bismarcks. His Excellency gave a smile -of contempt. - -‘All that is absurd,’ he rapped out. ‘The Emperor is quite foolish -about that family, which possesses no more influence to-day than any -Pomeranian squire. No, if his Majesty wants a victim he ought to be -content with one of his own staff. I refuse to allow the Imperial -Chancellery to be discredited in the eyes of Europe.’ - -This reception, so unlike what I had anticipated, made me begin -to think that my inquiry would have to be serious. After a little -further conversation with the Chancellor I decided to go to work -regularly, beginning by tracing the Imperial telegram back from the -Central Office. - -The Chancellor readily furnished me with the necessary authority -to produce to the Director of the Telegraph Service, to whom I had -merely to explain that I had been instructed to verify the exact -wording of the now famous despatch. - -It is unnecessary for me to detail my interview with this -functionary, whose share in the business was purely formal. Suffice -it that within a quarter of an hour after entering his office, I came -out with the all-important information that the congratulation to Mr. -Kruger had come direct from the Imperial Palace, over the Kaiser’s -private wire. - -By this time it was clear to me that either Wilhelm II. was playing -a very complicated game indeed with me, or he really was the victim -of one of the most audacious coups in history. My interest in the -investigation was strongly roused, as I made my way to the Palace for -the second time that day, bent upon a meeting with the telegraphist -by whose agency, it now appeared, the war-making despatch had come -over the wires. - -My recent audience in the Imperial cabinet had invested me with -authority in the eyes of the household, and I had no difficulty in -getting a footman to conduct me to the operator’s room, which was -situated at the far end of the corridor which I had previously -passed through on my way to the Kaiser. - -The room being empty on my arrival, I dismissed the footman in search -of the operator, who, he informed me, would most probably be found -with the private secretary to the Emperor. - -The moment I found myself alone I stepped up to the apparatus. I am -an expert telegraphist, and the machine speedily clicked off the -following despatch-- - -‘_To the German Ambassador, London.--See Lord Salisbury privately, at -once, and inform him British Government entirely deceived as to my -sentiments. Proofs will be sent to you shortly._--WILHELM, Kaiser.’ - -I had hardly taken my fingers off the instrument when the door opened -and the operator walked in. - -Herr Zeiss--I heard this name at the Central Office--appeared to -me to be a simple-minded man, more likely to be the victim of a -conspiracy than himself a conspirator. I thought it my best plan to -assume an air of omniscience at the outset. - -‘How is this, sir!’ I demanded with some sternness. ‘Do your -instructions permit you to leave this instrument unguarded for any -person who pleases to send his own messages over the Emperor’s -private wire?’ - -The telegraphist stared at me with a mixture of surprise and alarm. - -‘I don’t know who has authorised you, Herr Inspector----’ he began, -when I cut him short. - -‘Am I to go to his Majesty, and ask him if you have permission to -leave this room when you please, without taking any precautions -against the unauthorised use of the wire?’ - -Herr Zeiss quickly changed his tone. - -‘That is not a thing of which I am ever guilty,’ he protested. - -‘You have been guilty of it just now,’ I retorted. - -‘I have not been away two minutes. No one could have taken advantage -of my absence.’ - -‘Nevertheless, advantage has been taken of your absence.’ - -‘I don’t believe it!’ - -‘Ask the Central Office to repeat the message you have just sent -them, then.’ - -Casting a frightened look at me, the man complied. I have seldom seen -an expression of deeper astonishment and terror on a man’s face than -that which marked the unfortunate operator’s as my despatch came back -to him, word after word, ending with the Imperial signature. - -‘My God!’ he cried out. ‘Who has done this? I shall be ruined!’ - -‘Whether you are ruined or not depends entirely on yourself,’ I -said sharply. ‘It is in my power to save you, but only upon one -condition.’ - -[Illustration: “‘My God!’ he cried out. ‘Who has done this? I shall -be ruined.’”] - -Herr Zeiss turned on me a gaze of mute appeal. - -‘You must tell me the exact truth,’ I proceeded, ‘and you must tell -me everything. How often have you left this room without taking -precautions against the misuse of the wire in your absence during the -last two days?’ - -Zeiss considered for a moment. Then his face brightened up. - -‘Not once, I can assure you positively of that, Herr Inspector.’ - -This answer, given so confidently, came as a severe check to me. I -looked at the man sternly, as I responded, with assumed confidence-- - -‘And I am positive that you are mistaken. An unauthorised use _has_ -been made of this wire, and I am determined to know by whom.’ - -The operator’s face fell once more. He appeared to me to be honestly -at a loss. - -‘Come,’ I put in, ‘think again. Begin by recalling any occasions on -which you have been called away hurriedly, and have perhaps omitted -to lock the door.’ - -‘But there has been no such occasion. I swear to you that I have not -once left this room without taking ample precautions.’ - -I fancied I discerned a touch of hesitation, rather in the operator’s -tone than in his actual words. - -‘Speak more plainly,’ I said. ‘What do you mean by precautions?’ - -‘Either the door was locked, or else----’ This time the hesitation -was palpable. - -‘Or else what?’ - -‘It was left in the charge of a trustworthy person.’ - -‘And that trustworthy person, who was he?’ I found it hard to -suppress all signs of excitement as I put this question. - -‘The gentleman who will shortly be my brother-in-law.’ - -‘Ah! Perhaps this gentleman is an employee in the same department as -yourself?’ - -‘Not at all,’ Zeiss protested earnestly. ‘He is a teacher in the -Military College. He knows nothing of telegraphy; in fact, he has -sometimes asked me questions on the subject which have convinced me -that he is quite a fool where electricity is concerned.’ - -‘Indeed! And the name of this foolish person, if you please?’ - -‘Herr Severinski.’ - -‘A Pole!’ I exclaimed. - -‘No, a Russian. He was exiled to Siberia on account of his political -opinions, but escaped. He teaches Russian in the college.’ - -‘How did he come to be left in charge of this room?’ - -‘He called here the day before yesterday, in the evening, to speak -to me about his marriage with my sister. They have been engaged for -some time, you must know. While he was here I received a note from -my sister herself, pressing me to come and speak to her at once -outside the Palace. I went, leaving my brother-in-law to wait here -during my absence. My sister, I found, merely wished to urge me not -to object to any proposal made by her betrothed. On my return I found -Severinski yawning and apparently bored to death in my absence. I -asked him, and he assured me no one had come near the room while I -was away.’ - -I could scarcely resist smiling as the whole intrigue, so simple, and -yet so consummately successful, lay bared to my perception. My whole -anxiety now was to keep the worthy but stupid Zeiss ignorant of the -transaction in which he had been an unwitting accomplice. - -I brought him away from the Palace with me, so as to leave him no -opportunity of warning Severinski, and we proceeded together to -the Russian’s quarters. I flatter myself that the professor of the -Military College was not a little disconcerted when he saw his dupe -followed into the room by an Inspector of the Berlin Police. - -I explained my position in such a manner as to let Severinski see -that I knew everything, without enlightening the other man. - -‘The day before yesterday Herr Zeiss left you alone in his room in -the Palace. You took the opportunity to send a telegram, the terms -of which are known to me, over the Emperor’s private wire. For this -offence you and he are liable to severe punishment. What I now have -to propose to you is to make a confession which will have the effect -of exonerating every one except yourself. If you do this, I think I -can promise you that you shall suffer no penalty beyond, of course, -the loss of your post in the Military College.’ - -Severinski gave me a glance of intelligence. - -‘You do not require me to denounce anybody else?’ he inquired -significantly. - -‘I do not require you to confess what is obvious to every one,’ I -returned with equal significance. - -Poor Zeiss followed this exchange with an air of bewilderment. It -was evident that the discovery of the other’s guilt had caused a -shock to his confiding nature, and he was still trying to reconcile -the Russian’s prompt surrender to me with his previous stupidity on -questions of electrical science, when I summarily dismissed him from -further share in the interview. - -As soon as we were by ourselves Severinski spoke out boldly enough. - -‘I am quite willing to give you a statement that I sent the telegram. -But I am not going to tell you anything more. You must know that I -am an Anarchist.’ - -I waved my hand scornfully. - -‘If I consent to your suppressing the truth, Professor Severinski, it -does not follow that I am willing to listen to absurd fictions. Be -good enough to write out and sign a circumstantial account of your -own part in this clumsy plot, and I will undertake that you shall not -pass to-night in prison.’ - -The Russian had the sense to do what he was told without further -parley. I got from him more than I expected. He consented to put in -writing that it was after his betrothal to Fraulein Zeiss that he -had been solicited to make use of his connection with the Kaiser’s -private telegraphist, and he stated the amount of the bribe, a -very heavy one, paid him for his services in sending the Imperial -congratulations to the President of the Transvaal. We became so -friendly over the discussion that Severinski, who was bursting with -vanity over his success, wanted me at last to let him tell me too -much. I was obliged to order him to be silent. - -‘If you tell me that you are an agent of a certain great Power, I -must repeat what you say to the Kaiser. Then one of two things will -happen. Either your Government will avow your action, in which case -you will be hanged as a spy, or it will disavow you, in which case -you will pass the rest of your life in prison as a criminal lunatic.’ - -This menace had all the effect which I could have desired, and I was -satisfied that the Russian would now hold his tongue. - -Bidding him a cordial farewell--for I confess the fellow’s audacity -had inspired me with some admiration--I hastened back to the Palace, -to lay the results of my investigations before Wilhelm II. - -‘Your Majesty has been victimised by a secret agent whose employers -are interested in bringing about a feeling of ill-will, if not -an actual war, between Germany and Great Britain. The day before -yesterday this agent, whose name is Severinski, and who is employed -to teach Russian’--Wilhelm II. started--‘in the Berlin Military -College, visited your private telegraphist in the room at the end -of this corridor. He had previously contrived that the telegraphist -should be called away during his visit, and he took advantage of this -absence to send the message which has caused so much trouble.’ - -The Kaiser made no reply until he had finished reading the proofs I -laid before him. - -‘And you did not ask this Severinski by whom he was set on?’ demanded -his Majesty, giving me a keen glance. - -‘I did not know whether you would wish me to do so,’ I answered -respectfully. - -‘You were right, a thousand times right,’ exclaimed the Emperor. ‘As -long as they are in doubt whether I know it is they who have played -me this trick, I have the advantage of them, and they will keep -silence for their own sakes.’ He paused in deep consideration for a -minute, then he looked up quickly. ‘All this time I must not forget -the English. Tell me, Monsieur V----, are you personally known to -Lord Salisbury?’ - -‘I have that honour, sire. On one occasion----’ - -‘Enough! There is not a moment to lose. You will leave Berlin by -the first train, and proceed straight to the Ambassador’s house in -London. He will take you round to the Prime Minister, and you will -offer him the proofs which you have just offered me, explaining -at the same time that the excited state of public feeling in both -countries makes it impossible for me to take any open action in the -matter.’ - -I bowed and moved towards the door. - -‘I will wire to the Ambassador to expect you,’ called out the Kaiser. - -‘Pardon me, your Majesty has done so already.’ - -‘How?’ - -‘I also passed five minutes alone in the room of Herr Zeiss,’ I -explained. - -In the years which have elapsed since this celebrated episode, -Wilhelm II. has left no means untried to convince the British people -of his friendly sentiments towards them. It is as a service to his -Imperial Majesty, though without authority from him, that I now -venture to lift the veil from the most astounding transaction in the -annals of even Muscovite diplomacy. - - - - -II - -THE BLOWING UP OF THE _MAINE_ - - -Although the revelations which have been made already in the British -House of Commons have thrown some light on the international -intrigues which complicated the progress of the Cuban War, the tragic -event which caused the United States to draw the sword against Spain -has remained a profound mystery to the present hour. - -The truth concerning the destruction of the United States warship -_Maine_, in the roadstead of Havana, is known fully to only two -persons now alive. One of these two has taken the vow of perpetual -silence in the monastery of La Trappe, and his name is already -forgotten by the world. - -I shall cause some surprise, perhaps, when I venture to assert that -had I left my hotel ten minutes earlier on a certain memorable night -in the year 1898, the Spanish flag might still be flying over the -citadel of Havana. - -The extraordinary adventure which I am going to relate had its -starting-point in Paris, which is, to a large extent, the -clearing-house of international politics--the diplomatic exchange -where the representatives of the Powers meet, and sound each other’s -minds. For this reason the highest post in the diplomatic service -of every country is still the Paris Embassy, although France itself -scarcely ranks to-day as a Power of the first magnitude. - -It is Paris, as every one is aware, which was the scene of the long -negotiation between the representatives of the Cuban insurgents -and the Government of Madrid on the question of the terms to be -granted by Spain to her discontented colony. In this negotiation it -is equally well known that the Cuban delegates received the moral -support of the United States; but it is not generally known that the -Spanish Government acted throughout in consultation with most of the -European Powers. - -I was looking on at the negotiation without any very great interest, -sharing, as I did, in the general impression that Spain would give -way before long, when I was surprised one morning by receiving a -visit from a very remarkable character. - -Ludwig Kehler was a Bavarian, who had begun life as a candidate for -the priesthood. A disgraceful affair, the particulars of which I -had never learned, had caused his dismissal from the seminary, and, -after drifting about the world for a time, and mixing in very shady -company, he suddenly appeared in Berlin in the character of a police -agent. - -The exact nature of the services which he rendered to the police -was a mystery, but I had formed the theory that he was employed as -a spy on the German Catholics, whose attachment to the House of -Hohenzollern has always been suspected in Berlin. - -The presence of this man in Paris was in itself an unusual event. It -did not occur to me to connect it with the Spanish-American question, -and that for a very simple reason. Germany is the one country in -Europe which has never possessed a foot of soil in the New World. -Spain, Portugal, England, France, and even Holland and Denmark have -planted their flags across the Atlantic, but the German Michael has -been content to remain at home while his neighbours were colonising -the globe. - -I received Kehler coldly. My acquaintance with him was a purely -professional one, and he was a man whom I profoundly distrusted. - -As soon as I could do so, without positive rudeness, I invited him to -explain the object of his visit. - -‘It is of a confidential nature,’ prefaced the Bavarian. ‘May I -assure myself that our conversation will remain a secret between us -two?’ - -I bowed gravely. - -‘That is always understood, where I am concerned. A man who desires -to be trusted must begin by establishing a reputation for secrecy.’ - -Kehler contented himself with this assurance, dry as it was. - -‘I thank you, Monsieur V----. Your reputation is so well established -that I had no intention except to ask whether you were willing to -receive the proposals I have come to make?’ - -‘Proceed, Herr Kehler, if you will be so good.’ - -‘You have learnt, no doubt, that the Spanish Government has made up -its mind to concede the terms demanded on behalf of the Cubans by the -United States?’ - -Although I was not aware that things had reached this point, I did -not allow Kehler to see that he had given me any information. - -‘By this act,’ he continued, ‘the Americans have, in fact, declared -that no European Power has any right to enter their hemisphere -without their permission.’ - -‘All that is well known, Herr Kehler.’ - -‘The question then arises whether the European Powers will allow -themselves to be driven out, one by one, or whether, by a bold -combination, they will reduce the United States to some respect for -the law of nations.’ - -‘Such a combination would be inopportune at this moment, because the -British would stand aloof.’ - -‘Because they look upon the struggle as one between Spaniard and -Cuban,’ Kehler rejoined quickly. ‘But let us suppose there to be a -war, in which the United States was engaged against Spain?’ - -‘You have just said there will be no such war.’ - -‘A war is always possible, provided those interested in bringing it -about are not too scrupulous.’ - -This sinister language at length convinced me that the Bavarian had -not come to see me for nothing. I decided to draw him out. - -‘Provided such a war actually commenced, I agree that some -combination on behalf of Spain might be possible,’ I murmured, -as though reviewing the situation in my mind. ‘But where is the -Government sufficiently in earnest to undertake so terrible a -responsibility?’ - -‘It is that Government,’ Kehler responded, ‘which sees its subjects -departing in greater numbers every year, but which looks around in -vain for some unoccupied region towards which to direct the stream of -emigration.’ - -‘You mean Germany?’ - -‘We look around us,’ he continued, scarcely noticing my interruption, -‘and we see all the continents staked out in advance by other Powers: -Asia by England and Russia, Africa by England and France, North -America by England and the United States, Australia by England -alone. There remains only South America, in the possession of weak -Latin races, unable to make use of their advantages, but who are -protected in their decay by the bullies of Washington.’ - -‘A war in which the United States found itself fully occupied would -be a fine opportunity for the German Michael to plant his standard in -Brazil or the Argentine, I understand.’ - -Kehler looked at me earnestly. - -‘The man who undertook the task of making such a war inevitable, -without compromising exalted personages, would be no loser,’ he -remarked significantly. - -I looked back at the Bavarian before demanding-- - -‘Have you any definite scheme to put before me?’ - -‘Until I know that you accept,’ he demurred. - -‘I do not know that you are accredited,’ I reminded him. - -‘What authority do you require?’ - -‘The Imperial autograph simply.’ - -‘Impossible.’ - -‘I am accustomed to be trusted by my employers,’ I returned -decidedly. ‘I cannot act under any other conditions.’ - -‘That is final?’ - -‘It is final.’ - -‘Then I am afraid I can only ask you to forget that I have occupied -so much of your time.’ - -I allowed Kehler to rise and take his departure without making -the least sign. The moment he was out of hearing I sprang to the -telephone and rang up the agent of the Sugar Trust. - -Herr Kehler’s refusal to produce the guarantee for which I asked -convinced me that he contemplated some action of a character -doubtful, to say the least, if not criminal. - -It would have been useless for me to communicate my suspicions to the -American Minister in Paris. The diplomacy of the United States, blunt -and self-reliant, takes little account of the subterranean intrigue -which pervades European politics. But the Government of Washington -was not the only factor concerned. As Europe is beginning to learn, -the Union is a federation, not so much of those geographical -divisions which are painted in different colours on the map, and -called States, but of those vast organisations of capital which -control the American electoral system, and fill the Senate with their -delegates. Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Illinois--these are -merely names for school children; the Silver Ring, the Steel Trust, -the Cotton Trust, the Pork Trust--such are the true American Powers. - -During the whole of the Cuban negotiation the Sugar and Tobacco -Trusts had been represented in Paris by agents whose object it was to -avert an annexation of Cuba by the United States, an act which would, -of course, mean the free admission of Cuban sugar and tobacco into -the markets. Adonijah B. Stearine, the Sugar Agent, was a shrewd man, -and I had no doubt I should find him a ready listener to what I had -to say. - -Within an hour of Kehler’s departure, Mr. Stearine was seated in my -office. I had to pick my words carefully not to break the promise of -secrecy into which I had been beguiled. - -‘I have just seen a secret agent who wanted me to help him in some -trick to force on a war between the States and Spain.’ - -Stearine rolled his eyes and whistled thoughtfully. - -‘Who sent him?’ - -‘I can’t say. He refused to disclose his principal, and so I would -have nothing to do with him.’ - -The Sugar Agent pursed up his lips, and frowned. - -‘I guess this is a dodge of Bugg’s,’ he muttered. - -‘What Bugg?’ - -‘You don’t say you haven’t heard of Bugg--Milk W. Bugg, the Pork -Trust’s man over here? I reckon Bugg is the smartest man in Chicago, -and Chicago is the smartest town in the States, and the States is the -smartest country on earth; so there you are.’ - -‘The man who came to me is a German,’ I hinted. - -‘Bugg’s smartness,’ was the comment. - -‘He wanted me to think he came from Berlin.’ - -‘Bugg is real smart,’ breathed Mr. Stearine with admiration. - -It was evident that the agent of the Sugar Trust was unable to see -past the figure of his rival, which filled up his mental horizon. I -did not consider it worth while to argue the point. - -‘The question is, Do you want this to be stopped?’ I said. - -Stearine looked at me with something like surprise. - -‘Think you can?’ he questioned briefly. - -‘I know the man who is at work. I can shadow him and find out what he -is doing.’ - -‘You will have to be almighty quick about it,’ retorted the other. -‘When did this man get away!’ - -‘Only an hour ago,’ - -Mr. Stearine gazed at me with a disconcerting scrutiny. Then he -remarked slowly and emphatically-- - -‘If this is Bugg’s game, and you have given him an hour’s start, I -calculate he will be opening a store in Havana this day six months.’ - -The Pork Trust, it was clear, had everything to gain by a war by -which the Sugar Trust had everything to lose. But, in spite of Mr. -Stearine’s confident assurances, I continued to have my own opinion -about the power behind Herr Kehler. - -‘Do you want me to act?’ I demanded briefly. - -‘I want you to take a hand--yes.’ The Sugar Agent took out his -pocket-book, and counted out bills to the amount of ten thousand -dollars. ‘You can play up to that,’ he added, ‘and then you can let -me know how the game stands. I guess I shall buy Pork Consols.’ - -With this discouraging observation, Stearine left. - -It did not take me long to decide on my plans. As it was not likely -that Kehler was apprehensive of being watched, it would be an easy -task to trace him, and I at once gave orders to my staff to that -effect, with the result that I learned in a few hours that the -Bavarian had put up at the Hotel des Deux Aigles, and was leaving by -the Sud Express for Madrid. - -I now decided on one of the boldest and most effective strokes in -my repertory. I went openly to the station, took my own ticket, and -entered the compartment of the sleeping-car in which Kehler had -booked his own place. - -The real astonishment of the Bavarian at seeing me I met with an -affectation of moderate surprise on my own part. - -‘So you are going with me?’ I observed. - -‘With you!’ Kehler exclaimed. - -‘It appears so. No doubt you have been instructed?’ - -Kehler denied it energetically. - -‘But you refused to participate in a certain design,’ he reminded me. - -‘I laid down certain conditions, which you declined to fulfil, but -which have since been complied with by your principal.’ - -The Bavarian was thunderstruck. I relied upon his having reported his -failure to whomever it was that had sent him to me; and there was -nothing impossible in the suggestion that I had in consequence been -approached directly. - -‘You have credentials, I suppose?’ he asked. - -I nodded carelessly. - -‘You will convince me, perhaps?’ he persisted. - -‘Are you authorised to convince me?’ was my retort. - -‘You know it--no.’ - -I shrugged my shoulders and remained silent. - -So commenced the most extraordinary journey I have ever taken, a -journey which was destined to end only at Havana. Across France -and Spain and the Atlantic Ocean we travelled side by side, each -unwilling to lose sight of the other; I, resolved to find out and -if possible thwart the designs of my companion; Kehler, unable to -determine whether I was an opponent, a rival, or a spy set over him -by those on whose behalf he was engaged. - -On the frontier, at Hendaye, a despatch was handed in to me through -the carriage window. It was from Stearine, and contained these words, -whose terrible significance I was designed to learn later-- - -‘_United States warship_ Maine _arrived harbour Havana._’ - -The agent of the Sugar Trust had been too careful to say more. But it -was clear that he regarded this event as a move in the game played by -the great exporting Trusts. - -From the moment of our arrival in Madrid I was no longer able to -keep a close watch on Kehler, though by a sort of tacit agreement -we stayed at the same hotel. I found out that he was paying visits -to the Provincials of the Jesuit and Franciscan Orders, and had -been admitted as a visitor to one or two convents, and for a time I -was tempted to relax my suspicions, and to think that the Bavarian -was engaged in some Catholic espionage. These doubts were suddenly -dissipated by my meeting him one day in the courtyard of the hotel -attired in the habit of a priest--the dress of which he had been -deprived on account of his youthful misconduct. - -I could not doubt that this dress was a mere disguise, and that -it had been assumed for a political purpose. I went up to him and -whispered-- - -‘Do we still recognise each other, or do you prefer that we meet as -strangers?’ - -‘As fellow-travellers simply, I should prefer,’ he responded. - -The next day he had disappeared from the hotel. I set the agencies -at my command to work, and learned without much difficulty that -passages had been reserved for the false priest and a Sister of Mercy -travelling under his protection, on board a Spanish steamer sailing -from Cadiz to Havana. - -Needless to add, I was on board the same steamer when she quitted her -moorings and breasted the waves of the open sea. During the voyage I -had many opportunities of watching Kehler and his companion, who were -constantly together, holding long private conversations in retired -corners of the vessel. The nun, who was presented to me as Sister -Marie-Joseph, was a pale, delicate-looking girl of about twenty, -with that abstracted look in her eyes which betokens a mind wavering -between earnestness and hallucination. - -Dimly, and through clouds of uncertainty, I began to perceive -that Kehler had ransacked the convents of Madrid for a suitable -instrument, and that he was hard at work hypnotising the unfortunate -girl’s mind, so as to prepare it for any suggestion he might have to -make. - -Before we reached Cuba I contrived to speak to the Sister apart. I -found her reserved and distrustful of a heretic, as she had evidently -been told to consider me. On my satisfying her that I had been -brought up a Catholic, she became slightly more communicative, and -revealed a disposition singularly sincere and devoted, but almost -morbid in its detestation of Protestantism. She betrayed a feeling -of horror at the idea of American domination in the Catholic island -of Cuba, and it was in vain that I represented to her the generous -tolerance accorded to our religion in the United States. - -I did not dare to ask her the subject of her conferences with Kehler. -To have hinted at the Bavarian’s true character would have been -simply to forfeit her confidence in myself. I decided to reserve my -efforts in this direction until our arrival in Havana, where I did -not doubt that I should be able to find some responsible ecclesiastic -who would undertake the investigation of Kehler’s antecedents. - -In the meantime I could only wait and watch. I was painfully -impressed by the steady growth of the false priest’s influence -over his victim, who seemed at last to respond to his least word -or gesture. I had before me the spectacle of a possible Teresa -or Elizabeth being gradually transformed into a Ravaillac by the -dexterous touches of a rascally police agent. - -As soon as we entered the harbour Kehler and his companion got ready -to disembark. I noticed that at this moment they were separated, the -Sister going ashore by herself with a large basket trunk, while her -protector followed at some distance behind. - -They met again at the hotel, to which I had accompanied the man. -By this time I had forced a certain degree of acquaintance on the -couple, though I was unable to interrupt the intimacy of their -private intercourse. I arranged to secure a room next to that of the -Sister, and I observed with some surprise that Herr Kehler was lodged -in another wing of the building. - -By a coincidence we found the hotel full of naval officers from the -_Maine_, who had chosen it for their headquarters while on shore. -Instead of disconcerting Kehler, this circumstance appeared to give -him every satisfaction. - -He went out of his way to show civility to the Americans, and rapidly -became intimate with several of them. Sister Marie-Joseph, on the -other hand, held sullenly aloof, scarcely able to repress some signs -of the abhorrence which the sight of the heretics inspired. - -The visit of the _Maine_ was understood to be a pacific one. It was -a demonstration to the world that the relations between the United -States and Spain continued to be those of perfect friendship, and -that the former Power was inspired by peaceful motives in seeking to -bring about an understanding between the belligerent Cubans and the -mother-country. - -Nevertheless it was an imprudent act to send a man-of-war, flying -the Stars and Stripes, into the harbour of a place swarming with -fanatical Spaniards, furious at the interference of another Power -between them and their revolted subjects. It was, in fact, a -provocation, and it was not surprising that the astute agent of the -Sugar Trust had seen in this proceeding the work of those commercial -powers whose interest lay in the direction of a rupture. - -Faithful to my preconceived intention, I took an early opportunity of -waiting upon a high Church functionary in the city, to warn him of -the true character of the Bavarian. - -The reception I met with was a cold one, however. Monsignor X---- -allowed me to see that he considered me an officious person. - -‘May I ask what is your interest in all this?’ he demanded, as soon -as I had made my statement. - -‘I represent the Sugar Trust,’ I told him. - -‘The Sugar Trust?’ - -‘The manufacturers of sugar in the United States, who fear the -competition of cane sugar, and are therefore opposed to the -annexation of Cuba, which would involve free trade with the island,’ -I explained. - -[Illustration: “‘We shall find out whether he is a priest,’ was the -retort.”] - -‘And you suggest that this Father Kehler----?’ - -‘Herr Kehler,’ I corrected. ‘This man is no more a priest than I am. -He is believed to be the agent of a Chicago Trust, which desires to -see Cuba brought within the Union.’ - -‘We shall find out whether he is a priest,’ was the retort. ‘Before -he can say Mass in this diocese he will have to apply for permission, -and to show his ordination papers.’ - -‘But if he does not wish to say Mass? If he merely confines himself -to directing the Sister whom he has conducted here?’ - -‘In that case we cannot interfere. We have no more proof that she is -a Sister than that he is a priest?’ - -I gave Monsignor X---- an indignant look, which he bore with coolness. - -‘Besides, what is it that you apprehend?’ he asked. ‘One cannot deal -with imaginary dangers.’ - -‘I am sure that these two persons are bent on some desperate -enterprise--that their presence in Havana bodes no good to the cause -of peace,’ was all I could find to say. - -The ecclesiastic made a scornful gesture. - -‘It appears to me that this is a matter which concerns the police,’ -he said, in a tone which signified that the interview was at an end. - -I returned to my quarters, realising to the full the difficulty -of any effective action. To go to the police would be merely to -invite a repetition of the snub which I had just received from the -ecclesiastical authority. I could only rely on my own resources. - -I sent a wire to Stearine: ‘_War agent here as priest, accompanied -by nun_,’ and waited. It was just possible that Stearine might have -connections through which those who had power in the Church at Havana -might be influenced, in which case I had no doubt that Monsignor -X---- would very quickly become interested in the doings of ‘Father’ -Kehler. - -I can hardly tell what it was precisely that I expected to happen. -I had some idea of an assassination, possibly of the captain of the -_Maine_, or perhaps of the American Consul, by Sister Marie-Joseph. - -Day by day I perceived the unhappy girl becoming more and more -wrought up to the pitch of enthusiasm necessary for the perpetration -of some hideous deed, like that of Charlotte Corday, or Judith. -Curiously enough, the poor Sister showed an inclination for my -society, perhaps because I was a familiar face. She would sit beside -me in the drawing-room of the hotel and talk about her convent, in -which she had been educated and passed most of her life. - -[Illustration: “She would talk about her convent.”] - -I learned that she was of a noble family, rendered poor by the -ravages committed in the course of the Cuban insurrection, a fact -which may have helped to exasperate her spirit. But I sought in vain -to draw her into any confidences on the subject of her mission to -Havana. The moment I touched on that topic she became dumb, and made -an excuse to leave me. - -During the next few days I observed the intimacy between Kehler -and the American officers becoming closer. The German could speak -English fluently, and this circumstance naturally recommended him as -a companion in a place where Spanish and French are almost the only -languages known to the inhabitants. There was a young lieutenant, -or sub-lieutenant, in particular, who was constantly in Kehler’s -company, viewing the sights of the town, or smoking with him on the -hotel verandah. Suspecting that my man had some object in cultivating -this lieutenant, I endeavoured to make his acquaintance myself, only -to find my advances rebuffed in a manner which showed me plainly that -Kehler had been at work disparaging me beforehand. - -One day as I was standing on the verandah I noticed the pair come out -of the hotel together, and turn in the direction of the harbour. I -followed at a discreet distance, and saw the officer conduct Kehler -into a boat, manned by sailors from the _Maine_, in which they pulled -off to the ship. I stood watching, and at the end of about an hour I -saw them coming back, the face of the false priest wearing a serious -expression. - -I took advantage of my acquaintance with him to meet the pair as they -landed, and accost them carelessly. - -‘You have been to have a look over the ship?’ I threw out. - -Kehler tried to pass on with a careless nod, but the lieutenant, less -discreet, drew himself up with a severe glance at me. - -‘Father Kehler has been good enough to visit a poor sailor who is -lying sick on board,’ he said, in a tone evidently meant to rebuke my -impertinence. - -I bowed with assumed respect. But as they went on their way I -experienced a sensation of alarm. The pretext which had imposed on -the officer was transparent enough as far as I was concerned. I -realised that Kehler was steadily pursuing some well-thought-out -design, and that he had contrived this visit to the man-of-war with -some dark purpose which it was my business to discover. - -I determined at length, since Kehler’s friend was so strongly -prejudiced, to seek out some other officer, preferably the commander, -and take him into my full confidence. Unhappily events marched too -swiftly for me. That very evening it was already too late. - -[Illustration: “‘Father Kehler has been good enough to visit a poor -sailor who is lying sick on board,’ he said, in a tone evidently -meant to rebuke my impertinence.”] - -Passing through the entrance hall on my way upstairs to dress for -dinner, I was struck by the sight of the basket-trunk belonging to -Sister Marie-Joseph standing strapped-up, ready to go away. At the -foot of the staircase I encountered the Sister herself, evidently -prepared for departure. - -She appeared pleased to have the opportunity of bidding me farewell. - -‘I shall not forget you where I am going,’ she said with a mournful -smile, as she extended her hand. - -‘May one inquire where that will be?’ I ventured to ask. - -She shook her head. - -‘It is an affair of duty. I am going a very long way, and you will -never see me again.’ - -‘And Father Kehler,’ I forced myself to say, ‘does he accompany you?’ - -A momentary expression of repugnance, almost of loathing, flashed out -on her pale face. - -‘No, no! The padre has done his part in conducting me so far, and -finding me the situation of which I was in search. I have parted with -him now, and we have nothing more to do with one another.’ - -This answer relieved my mind of a burden. I came hastily to the -conclusion that Kehler, finding himself able to carry out his -projects without assistance, had decided to dispense with an -embarrassing ally, and I was glad to think that this poor girl would -be delivered from his evil influence. - -What blindness are we capable of towards those very things which seem -the clearest to our after-recollections! - -I took the precaution to ascertain at the bureau that Kehler was -still staying on in the hotel, and I came down to dinner with a light -heart. - -A number of the American officers were dining in the hotel that -night. There appeared to be a sort of entertainment going forward, in -which some Spanish officers from the garrison were fraternising with -them. - -Kehler, deprived of the company of his lieutenant, sat at a small -table by himself, and I noticed that he was drinking heavily, while -his flushed face and inflamed eyes showed him to be labouring with an -excitement which I ascribed to the influence of the wine. - -I sat down at another table, and busied myself with efforts to -disentangle the threads of the intrigue which was being woven around -me. I cast a thought or two after the poor girl, with whom I had been -so strangely associated. - -Absorbed in these thoughts, I did not mark the evening advancing, -when I was gradually aroused by the breaking up of the military -party. The lieutenant, who had shown so strong a dislike for me, -rose from his seat and came my way, taking a Spanish officer by the -arm. - -As they approached, I perceived from his gait that the American had -been affected by the healths he had been drinking. I saw him point me -out to his companion as they approached, and he muttered something in -the other’s ear, which caused the Spaniard to turn on me a glance of -grave disgust. - -Stung by this insufferable insolence, I sprang to my feet, and placed -myself in front of the lieutenant. - -‘Have you anything to say to me, sir?’ I said sternly. - -‘Nothing. I do not talk with spies,’ was the coarse retort. - -‘But you take them on board the ship it is your duty to guard,’ I -returned fiercely, carried out of myself. - -The lieutenant drew back, amazed. - -‘I have taken a worthy priest to console a dying man--one of his own -faith,’ he stammered out. - -‘A German police agent, disguised as a priest, I suppose you mean. -The spy Kehler?’ - -He began to tremble violently. ‘But the Sister! The nurse!’ - -‘Sister Marie-Joseph! What do you mean?’ - -‘She is on board now, nursing O’Callaghan.’ - -It was my turn to utter an oath of consternation. - -‘Come with me. Take me on board instantly, or take me to your -commander.’ - -‘We will go on board,’ said the sobered lieutenant. - -Glancing round as I followed him out I saw that Kehler had -disappeared. Quickening our steps by a common instinct, the -lieutenant and I almost ran down to the water’s edge. - -‘Thank God!’ burst from his lips as we came in sight of the majestic -vessel lying peacefully at her anchors in the calm waters of the bay, -her spars and turrets outlined against the clear, starlit sky, and -only a few twinkling lights betraying the presence of the two hundred -men who slept below her decks. The same instant there was a spout of -fire, a cloud of wreck and dust mounted to heaven, and a thunderous -boom stunned our ears, and sent the waters of the bay dashing up at -our feet. - -The _Maine_ had broken like a bubble. I saw all in a flash--in some -dark way that will never now be revealed Sister Marie-Joseph had -blown up the _Maine_. Kehler had succeeded--I had failed. - -It has not been easy for me to write the story of what I regard as -the greatest failure of my career. My mistake was the initial one -of refusing to purchase Kehler’s confidences, by the expedient of -pledging myself to assist his enterprise. - -Immediately the intelligence of the disaster reached Europe Stearine -sent me a cable peremptorily enjoining silence. That injunction I -consider has now lost its force through three circumstances, the -lapse of time, the death in action of Lieutenant ----, and the living -suicide of the arch-criminal, haunted by the horror of his own deed, -in the deathlike cloisters of La Trappe. - - - - -III - -THE MYSTERY OF CAPTAIN DREYFUS - - -Every one must feel that the last word has not been said on that -extraordinary transaction which convulsed France, and shocked Europe, -during the close of the nineteenth century, under the name of the -Dreyfus Case. - -It is true that no effort has been spared by the Government of the -Republic to put an end to an agitation which threatened to develop -into a civil war. A general amnesty has been proclaimed; the courts -of law have been forbidden to entertain any proceedings involving the -guilt or innocence of Captain Dreyfus, his accusers or his partisans, -and the French press has been appealed to, in the name of patriotism, -to close its columns to all further discussion of the dangerous topic. - -Such an attitude, adopted in order to save France from disruption, is -not without a certain dignity; but it is at the same time terribly -unjust. It is as if France had repeated to the victim of the Devil’s -Isle the memorable words--‘It is better that one man should die for -the people.’ - -The one person in Europe who is completely ignorant of the true -motives underlying this grim tragedy is without doubt Dreyfus -himself. That taciturn, commonplace figure, suddenly elevated -into the position of criminal, martyr, and hero, was merely the -shuttlecock driven through the air by unseen hands. Even if he was -guilty of writing the celebrated bordereau--a question which the -Court of Rennes decided in the affirmative--he must have done it by -the order of others, given for reasons which he did not comprehend. - -It will be remembered that before and during the second trial of -Dreyfus, the strongest efforts were put forth on his behalf by three -foreign Powers--those composing the Triple Alliance. The German, -Austrian, and Italian military attachés, breaking through the -etiquette of their position, disclaimed, each on his personal word of -honour, any dealings with the alleged spy. - -Not only so, but I myself sent for the Paris correspondent of a -London newspaper of high standing, and authorised him to inform his -readers that the German Emperor himself was prepared personally to -exculpate the accused from the charge of selling information to -Germany. - -This offer, made privately to the French President, was declined for -the same reasons which prompted the Government to hush up the whole -affair. But every thoughtful man will realise that it would not have -been made unless there had been more at stake than the freedom of an -obscure captain. - -My own connection with the _Affaire Dreyfus_ dates from the time of -the first trial and sentence, when the theatrical spectacle of the -degradation of the unfortunate officer was the theme of universal -comment. At this juncture I received a visit from Colonel ----, an -officer high in the Emperor’s confidence, and at that time attached -to the German Embassy in Paris. - -‘I have come to you,’ he announced, as soon as we found ourselves -alone, ‘by command of his Imperial Majesty the Kaiser.’ - -I bowed respectfully as I replied-- - -‘I am deeply honoured by this fresh proof of his Majesty’s -confidence.’ - -The Colonel regarded me for a moment with some curiosity. - -‘You are a sort of spy, are you not?’ he inquired. - -I refused to take offence at this blunt question, so natural on the -part of a soldier. - -‘Each of us has his own part to play,’ I explained suavely. ‘The -soldier fights with the enemy in the open field; the man of my -profession has to encounter the foes who burrow underground.’ - -Colonel ---- appeared satisfied. - -‘The Kaiser trusts you; that is enough for me,’ he declared. ‘You -will not dare to betray this confidence?’ - -This time I rose to my feet, stern and contemptuous. - -‘You have not come here to insult me, I suppose, Colonel? If you are -the bearer of instructions from the Kaiser, be good enough to deliver -them without comment; if not, I will attend to my other business.’ - -The German’s face betrayed his astonishment at this rebuke. He -hastened to mutter an apology, which I received in silence. - -‘His Majesty wishes you to investigate this _Affaire Dreyfus_, on his -behalf. There is some secret motive for the notoriety which they are -conferring on this unlucky spy’--the Colonel gave me an apprehensive -glance as he pronounced this word--‘and the Kaiser is determined -to find out what it is. It appears that we are being made a sort -of stalking-horse in the business; it is pretended that Dreyfus -was an agent of ours, which is utterly untrue.’ The German smiled -sardonically as he added: ‘Our information is supplied to us from -higher sources than a simple captain of artillery, and we can get as -much as we choose to pay for.’ - -‘Is it not likely that Dreyfus may be the scapegoat of -others--perhaps those higher sources to which you refer?’ - -The Colonel shook his head. - -‘That does not explain the persistence with which they are trying to -connect the affair with Germany. I have information that the heads of -the French Army are representing that France is in actual danger. The -bitterness with which Dreyfus is assailed is due, they pretend, to a -sense of the national peril.’ - -‘And all that is quite untrue, I understand?’ - -‘So untrue that I have reason to know that Wilhelm II. has a -particular desire to conciliate the French----’ The Colonel stopped -abruptly as if he had been on the point of saying too much. - -‘Very good. Then I am to find out for his Majesty as much as I can -about this affair, and particularly why it is sought to represent -Dreyfus as an agent of Germany?’ - -Colonel ---- nodded. - -It was not an easy task to set me; nevertheless, I had some hope of -success. It so happened that I had formerly had transactions of a -confidential nature with General Garnier, one of the foremost, if -not the foremost, figure among the persecutors of Dreyfus. I had -the right to approach this General as a friend, and I had reasons -for believing that he might be willing to open his mouth for a -sufficient consideration. - -Shortly after Colonel ----’s departure, therefore, I strolled round -to the General’s private residence, off the Avenue Clichy. Garnier -was not at home, but I left a message with the concierge that the -dealer in old coins, who had formerly sold him some Roman specimens, -had just obtained others which he was anxious to submit for -inspection. - -As I anticipated, this message had the desired result of bringing -General Garnier to see me the same night. He came, not to my public -bureau, but to a little apartment in the Quartier Latin which I rent -for the purpose of interviews with clients who do not wish their -acquaintance with me to be known. - -It was evident that my summons had annoyed, perhaps frightened, him. - -‘Now, Monsieur V----, what does this mean?’ he blustered, as I closed -the door behind him. - -‘It means, Monsieur le Général, that I have a question to ask you, -but that I do not expect you to answer it for nothing.’ - -Garnier was visibly relieved to discover that I had not sent for him -to extort blackmail. But his reply was not encouraging. - -‘I fear that you have given yourself trouble uselessly. It is not my -intention to sell any information of a kind which cannot be given -openly.’ - -I knew the man I was dealing with too well to take this answer as -final. - -‘Without doubt you are right to remind me that a man like yourself -ought to be approached with a great deal of circumspection,’ I -returned, with a mixture of politeness and irony. - -Garnier’s face flushed. - -‘I mean what I have said,’ he affirmed. ‘You must not suppose that -you are dealing to-day with Colonel Garnier. In my position one -has responsibilities to which there attaches itself a sentiment of -honour, you understand, M. V----?’ - -My experience has not taught me that men become more scrupulous by -being promoted from the rank of Colonel to that of General, but only -that they become more greedy. I replied-- - -‘I understand of course that one does not buy old coins at the same -price from a general officer as from a field officer.’ - -Garnier’s face assumed a look of indecision. - -‘For whom are you acting, this time?’ he demanded. - -‘General, if any one had asked me formerly from where I had procured -my Roman coins, what do you suppose my answer would have been?’ - -Garnier tugged thoughtfully at his moustache, as he frowned over a -refusal which was, at the same time, a proof that he could trust me. - -[Illustration: “‘As to that--impossible!’ he exclaimed with vigour. -‘That is our secret--ours, you understand.’”] - -‘Suppose you explain to me what information you are in search of?’ he -said, throwing himself into a chair. - -I thought the battle was won, as I responded-- - -‘It concerns the Dreyfus Case.’ - -To my surprise, Garnier bounded out of the seat into which he had -just dropped. - -‘As to that--impossible!’ he exclaimed with vigour. ‘That is our -secret--_ours_, you understand.’ - -I listened to this declaration with secret dismay. It revealed to -me that the fate of Dreyfus was in some manner connected with the -interest of the heads of the French Army, in short, with Garnier’s -own; and from his tone I suspected that I was questioning the -arch-plotter. - -There was still the chance that he might be willing to part with the -secret if he could be assured that it would not be used against him. - -‘Suppose I required this information on behalf of a friendly monarch, -who is himself a soldier, and who might be willing to pledge his word -that it should not be made use of to your disadvantage?’ - -Garnier gazed at me as though he would have read the name of this -monarch in my eyes. - -‘Impossible,’ he repeated, in a tone of real regret; ‘_twice -impossible!_’ And, as though anxious to convince me that his refusal -was not unfriendly, he added--‘It is not a question of a Boulanger -this time.’ - -Perceiving that I could not press him further without showing my own -hand, I reluctantly allowed Garnier to depart. He had in reality told -me more than he suspected. - -In the first place, he had convinced me that the Kaiser’s suspicions -were not idle, by his reception of my hint that I was acting for -a foreign Power. If the ferocious sentence on Dreyfus had been -inspired by spite against an unpopular officer, or by a desire to -find a scapegoat for bigger traitors; or if it had merely been an -episode in the secret duel between the Church and the Freemasons, as -the champions of Dreyfus were inclined to believe, there would have -been no meaning in that regretful ‘Twice impossible!’ If Garnier had -refused to sell his secret to a foreign Power, I knew him well enough -to feel assured that it must be because that Power was in some way -interested to defeat Garnier’s conspiracy. - -But the real clue had been placed in my hands by those concluding -words--‘It is not a question of a Boulanger this time.’ - -Such a phrase constituted a riddle which few men in Europe were -better able than myself to decipher. - -Boulanger was an adventurer, lifted on a wave of popular favour, -who had seemed likely at one moment to overturn the republic and -replace it by a military dictatorship with himself at the head. He -had failed because he was a mere adventurer, who represented no -principle, and who lacked that personal prestige with the Army which -is only acquired by successful leadership in war. - -Nevertheless his career had revealed the weakness of the Republic, -and proved that all that was necessary to bring about its downfall -was an alliance between the military caste and some pretender with -more substantial claims than those conferred by the shouts of the -Paris mob. - -Every one who knows anything of France knows that the soldiers have -long chafed under the ascendency of the lawyers, which is a necessary -consequence of Republican institutions. But Garnier’s words, if I -interpreted them rightly, showed that the lesson of Boulanger’s -failure had been laid to heart, and that this time the military -conspiracy which undoubtedly existed had found a really formidable -figurehead. In short, it was a question not of a military dictator, -but of a monarch; not of a Boulanger, but of a Bourbon or a Bonaparte. - -I found myself on the brink of a discovery of first-rate importance. -For the success of such a military revolution as that indicated -only two things seemed necessary, a candidate and an occasion. If -my diagnosis were sound, a candidate had been found in Philippe -d’Orléans, the representative of the ancient monarchy, or Victor -Napoleon, the heir of the Bonapartes. The occasion was to be -furnished, perhaps, by the long-delayed war of _la revanche_! - -As soon as I had reduced my thoughts to some sort of order I decided -that my next step must be to ascertain which of the two pretenders, -who seemed pointed out for the leading _rôle_ in such a conspiracy, -was the chosen one. The Duke of Orleans was at this time in England, -while the home of Prince Napoleon, as every one knows, is in the -neighbourhood of Brussels. - -I despatched two of my most trusted subordinates, one to Belgium, -and the other to England, with instructions to keep a close watch on -the movements of both princes, and to let me know if there were any -signs of unusual activity which would indicate that some stroke was -in preparation. - -In Paris I kept up a similar watch on the headquarters of the -Royalist and Bonapartist parties. The Royalists are formidable, -thanks to the influence of society; but the Bonapartist cause is -represented by a small and dwindling clique of journalists and -demagogues, who exhaust themselves in the effort to revive the -Napoleonic legend, by their parrot-like repetition of the words -_Marengo_ and _Austerlitz_. - -I did not imagine that this noisy faction would be intrusted with -any important secret; and I was soon satisfied that if the chiefs -of the Army were really contemplating a restoration, Bourbon or -Bonapartist, they had kept their design entirely to themselves. - -The first reports which I received from my agents abroad were -discouraging. The Bourbon Pretender, who is without reticence, and -seeks every opportunity of advertising his personality, appeared to -be quite passive for the moment. - -Prince Victor Napoleon, a man of a very different character, who -withdraws himself as much as possible from public notice, conscious, -perhaps, that he has inherited some of his father’s unpopularity, was -also leading his usual quiet life, and no evidence was forthcoming -of any secret intelligence between him and the group of generals who -controlled the French army. - -Things were in this position, and I was beginning to feel -dissatisfied with the slow progress I was making, when I was suddenly -called to the telephone one evening by my agent in Brussels, who had -at last some important news for me. - -‘Prince Victor is going to England,’ he announced, after we had -exchanged the password. - -‘To _England_!’ Was it possible that the two rivals were about to -meet? I asked myself. ‘When does he depart?’ - -‘Perhaps to-morrow. His secretary has been to the Belgian Foreign -Office to procure passports.’ - -‘There are no passports required in England,’ I returned, my -suspicions instantly roused. ‘You have been deceived. Have you seen -the passport?’ - -‘No. It was from the servants that I learned the Prince was going to -England.’ - -‘It is a blind, rest assured. Keep the strictest watch, and do not -allow him to leave Brussels without you. I shall come by the next -train.’ - -I rang off the communication, and hastened to make the necessary -preparations for a journey of which I could not foresee the end. - -On alighting in the Belgian capital I was met by my faithful -henchman, who informed me with sparkling eyes that he had succeeded, -by means of a bribe, in ascertaining from a clerk in the Foreign -Office that a passport had been granted to the Comte de Saint Pol and -secretary, travelling to Berlin. - -If anything had been needed to convince me that the journey of Prince -Napoleon had a serious purpose, these concealments would have done -so. I was now confident that I was on the right track, and I did not -grudge the fatigue involved in a journey across Europe. - -I ordered Fouqué, as my man was named, to resume his watch on the -Prince’s abode, while I waited at the station from which the Berlin -express takes its departure. It was understood that we were both -to proceed by the same train as the Comte de Saint Pol and his -companion. - -No hitch occurred; the Prince, accompanied by his secretary and -my agent, duly arrived to take their seats in the train, and the -four of us alighted together in the capital of Germany. I had spent -the interval in considering my plan of action. I was so far from -foreseeing the true cause of Prince Napoleon’s mysterious journey, -that I expected to find him closeted the next day with the German -Emperor, imparting the confidence which Garnier had refused to me. -The event proved very different. - -As soon as the two travellers had taken up their quarters in a hotel, -whither, it is needless to say, we accompanied them, the secretary -was sent out on an errand by himself. Fouqué, of course, followed, -and came back in about an hour with the startling information that -the secretary had been to the Russian Embassy. - -The meaning of this proceeding flashed upon me at once. The real -destination of the Prince was not Berlin, but Petersburg. He was -merely passing a few hours in Berlin in order to confuse the trail, -and he had sent his passport to the Embassy to be _viséd_ for Russia. - -In order to make sure that my surmise was correct, I decided to -make use of my implied authority to act on behalf of the German -Government. I ordered Fouqué to force his way bodily into the Count’s -apartment, announce himself as an agent of the Berlin police, and -demand to see the stranger’s passport. The ruse was completely -successful, and I learned that the yellow seal of the Russian Eagle -had been affixed to the paper. - -My own task had now become difficult and dangerous. Although I -maintain friendly relations with the Russian police, with whom I -have often collaborated, I knew they were not likely to tolerate my -intrusion into their territory as the spy of a foreign Power. In -dealing with half-reclaimed savages like the Slaves, one never knows -what form their revenge will take, and Siberia is not a country in -which I have ever had any inclination to reside. - -The plan which presented itself to my mind was an audacious one, -but in such situations audacity is safer than faint-heartedness. I -despatched Fouqué to the headquarters of the Berlin police with a -denunciation against Prince Napoleon’s secretary for the crime of -_lèse-majesté_. - -_Lèse-majesté_ is the one offence which is never treated lightly in -German official quarters. Fouqué’s information was eagerly taken -down, and a police officer promptly arrived at the hotel armed with a -warrant for the arrest of the traveller. - -M. Rémillard, the secretary, protested in vain that he was a -stranger, who had only that hour arrived in Berlin, and was leaving -Germany the next day; and that he had never been guilty of the least -disrespect towards Wilhelm II. - -‘You declared that the Emperor was a babbler,’ he was informed. - -‘Ah, but I meant the Emperor of Russia,’ retorted the Frenchman -smartly. - -‘What, is he a babbler, too?’ exclaimed the policeman--an answer -which, I believe, has since become celebrated. - -But his ingenuity could not save the unlucky secretary from arrest, -and the Comte de Saint Pol found himself obliged to proceed on his -journey alone. It remained for me to complete the execution of my -design, by substituting myself in the place of M. Rémillard. - -This project, which would have been beyond the powers of an ordinary -police agent, was rendered possible in my case by my extensive -knowledge of underground politics, and the reputation which I have -striven to deserve of a man whose faith can be depended on. - -I dismissed Fouqué, whose further presence would have embarrassed me, -and took my seat in the _coupé_ reserved for the Comte de Saint Pol -in the Petersburg express. - -In answer to the remonstrance with which my intrusion was received, I -explained that I was acting under orders. - -‘Your travelling companion has been arrested, Monsieur le Comte, but -perhaps I may be allowed to supply his place.’ - -‘Am I under arrest, too?’ Prince Victor demanded with some -indignation. - -‘Not at all,’ I answered, ‘but your movements are of some interest -to the German Government, or rather the Emperor, who has honoured me -with his personal instructions.’ - -‘What have my affairs to do with his Imperial Majesty?’ inquired the -Prince anxiously. - -‘Perhaps nothing, perhaps a great deal. You will, at least allow, -_Monsieur le Comte_, that your passage through Germany appears to be -attended with some mystery.’ - -‘In short----?’ - -‘In short, the Emperor will be glad to be honoured by your -confidence, _Monseigneur_.’ - -The Prince started at this title, and began narrowly scrutinising my -face, while he evidently considered in his own mind what account to -give of himself. - -‘It may assist you, perhaps,’ I went on to say, ‘if I tell you that I -already know nearly all that you can tell me. I am M. V----.’ - -At this name a change passed over Prince Napoleon’s face. A silent -struggle seemed to be taking place in his breast. Presently he raised -his eyes to mine. - -[Illustration: “‘Am I under arrest too?’ Prince Pierre demanded with -some indignation.”] - -‘Tell me, M. V----, are you capable of forgetting for a couple of -hours that you are the Emperor’s confidential agent, and favouring me -with your disinterested advice?’ - -‘I believe so, always provided that your Highness does not ask me to -betray the confidences I have received from others.’ - -The Prince accepted this stipulation with frankness. - -‘In all probability you are in a position to tell me more about the -reasons for this journey than I know myself. I am going, as a matter -of fact, in search of information.’ - -I concealed as much as possible the shock of surprise which this -confession caused me. Up to that moment I had naturally imagined -that the Prince was on his way to consult the Tsar, and obtain -his approval, as the ally of France, of whatever designs were in -progress. I now realised suddenly that I had overlooked a factor in -the situation whose importance might be greater than Prince Victor’s -own. - -I need scarcely say that I refer to his brother Louis. - -In enumerating the pretenders whose ambition threatens the Republic, -I had naturally omitted this prince, whose claims seemed to be -overshadowed by those of his elder brother. I now recalled his -popularity as a young man of the most charming manners, and the -prestige which he derives from his rank in the Russian Army and the -personal friendship of the Tsar. - -What was more possible than that Garnier and his comrades, passing -over the unattractive elder, should have chosen as the figurehead -of their usurpation this romantic character, who would be doubly -dependent on them, because he would be doubly a usurper? - -These reflections passed through my mind swiftly enough for me to -answer without any perceptible pause-- - -‘You are paying a visit to your brother?’ - -Prince Victor nodded, as though that were a matter of course. It -was easy to see that he felt it a relief to be able to discuss the -situation fully and frankly with a man of experience and resource, -one who moreover had no reason for taking his brother’s side. - -Briefly, his story came to this:-- - -‘Some years ago, after the death of our father, my brother had a long -consultation with me about the prospects of our family. He asserted -that he was more popular in France than I was, and suggested that -the chance of a Bonaparte restoration would be improved if I would -consent to abdicate in his favour. This I naturally refused to do, -but he pressed me, and got other members of the family to do the -same, and at last I gave way so far as to say that if there were -a substantial prospect of success, and it really depended on my -resigning my rights in my brother’s favour, I would do it. - -‘When I said that, of course, I thought it would be a question of a -popular plebiscite, like our uncle received, and that I should be -bound by the voice of the majority. But ever since then I have seen -feelers put out from time to time in the Paris papers, suggesting -that I did not wish to insist on my rights as the heir of the great -Napoleon. And now within the last few days I have received a letter -from my brother, informing me that a restoration is at last possible, -and calling on me to fulfil my pledge, and publicly abdicate my -claims.’ - -I listened to this remarkable disclosure with the keenest interest. -It confirmed my suspicions on almost every point, though I was still -far from feeling that I had obtained a complete solution to the -problem set me by Wilhelm II. - -My companion let it be seen plainly that he was not very well pleased -with the prospect of being supplanted by his younger brother. I took -this feeling into account in the advice which I offered. - -‘The only thing you have told me that is new to me, is the fact that -Prince Louis is the person favoured by the conspirators,’ I said. ‘I -knew there was some such plot on foot, but, like every one else, I -took it for granted that you were the only possible candidate for the -empire.’ My companion breathed indignantly. - -‘As for the success of the movement, that is highly problematical. -You will not feel very satisfied if you execute this solemn act, only -to see your brother rise for a moment on the shoulders of the mob, -and then vanish like Boulanger, leaving your House more feeble than -at present.’ - -‘Then what do you advise me to say to my brother?’ he asked eagerly. - -‘I think your course is perfectly clear. You are entitled to demand -the fullest information, in the first place. If that satisfies you -that your brother’s success is assured, that no action on your part -can retard it, then you will act gracefully by conceding a signature -which will not deprive you of anything, and will give you substantial -claims on his gratitude. But if you see that you are being asked -to efface yourself without sufficient grounds, you have only to -declare that you are not convinced, and to issue a manifesto to your -supporters in France, reminding them that you are still the head of -the House of Bonaparte.’ - -My companion received this suggestion with every sign of -satisfaction. During the remainder of the journey I lost no -opportunity of playing on the same string, and making him feel that -I was, as it were, his ally, engaging in defeating a plot which was -much more against him than against the Republic. - -When we reached the Russian frontier, I had no difficulty in inducing -the Prince to pass me through the barrier as the secretary of the -Comte de Saint Pol, and I thus entered Russia in perfect security, in -a character which would have amazed the Third Section. - -On our arrival in Petersburg I asked Prince Napoleon if he intended -to go to his brother’s address. He answered proudly-- - -‘I am still the head of my House, I believe. It would be more -suitable for me to let my brother know of my arrival in order that he -may wait upon me.’ - -I willingly charged myself with the delivery of the summons. - -The announcement that I came from Brussels secured my instant -admission to Prince Louis’s presence. - -‘I have the honour to act as secretary to his Imperial Highness, -Prince Victor Napoleon,’ I explained. - -‘Ah! In that case you bring me a letter from him, no doubt?’ - -‘I bring your Highness a message simply. The Prince desires to see -you.’ - -‘But I cannot leave Petersburg--surely my brother knows that!’ - -‘He knows it so well that he is in Petersburg.’ - -Prince Louis sprang to his feet, thunderstruck. - -‘Victor is here!--already!’ he exclaimed in confusion. - -For answer I named the hotel at which we had put up, explaining -at the same time that the Prince wished to preserve his incognito -strictly. - -Prince Louis prepared to accompany me to the hotel in the carriage -which had brought me to his house. As we drove along, he inquired-- - -‘Are you in my brother’s confidence?’ - -‘I believe I enjoy that honour,’ was my reply. ‘At least I am -acquainted with the business which has brought him here.’ - -‘Perhaps you can tell me something of my brother’s views?’ he said, -feeling his way. - -‘I think his Highness expects to receive full information before he -takes a step which will be irrevocable.’ - -‘Ah!’ - -‘He thinks, perhaps, that you may have been deceived by exaggerated -promises, and that he has the right to forbid any premature attempt -whose failure would damage the Bonapartist cause.’ - -Prince Louis gnawed his moustache with some impatience. - -‘My brother must not be unreasonable,’ he murmured. ‘One is never -certain of success in these attempts.’ - -‘If you will allow me to advise you, you will give him the fullest -opportunity of judging of your prospects. It would be a serious thing -for everybody if he were provoked into any public demonstration -against you.’ - -The younger Prince changed colour. - -‘Is it so serious as that?’ he exclaimed. And during the remainder of -the drive he continued wrapped in thought, only the working of his -brow betraying the anxiety within. - -The greeting between the brothers was cordial, if not affectionate. I -took it for granted that I was to be a party to the conference, and -as each brother believed that I was secretly friendly to him, neither -suggested that I should retire. - -As soon as we were seated round the table, on which I had laid -out some paper, pens, and ink, Prince Victor formally opened the -discussion. - -He spoke with a good deal of dignity and some eloquence. He treated -it as a matter beyond dispute that he was the sole depository of the -authority of the great Napoleon, entitled to the absolute obedience -of every member of his House. He disclaimed any personal ambition, -and referred to his former pledge, which he described as a promise -to abdicate if he were convinced that such a step on his part was -really likely to result in the restoration of the empire. - -He then laid it down that he retained the sole right to decide if -and when the time for this step had arrived, and hinted that it was -his duty, as well as his right, to interfere actively to check any -designs of which he disapproved. He concluded by professing a sincere -and hearty interest in his brother’s fortunes, and inviting Prince -Louis to confide in him fully, as in his best friend. - -This statesmanlike deliverance appeared to inspire the younger Prince -with genuine respect. He appeared to be a good deal embarrassed in -the beginning of his reply. It was a difficult task to tell his elder -brother that he had been rejected in favour of Louis himself. - -After acknowledging in the most ample manner his brother’s claims on -his obedience and gratitude, Prince Louis proceeded-- - -‘The state of France shows clearly that our House has no chance of -success by constitutional means. The Republic can only be subverted -by the action of the Army, which embodies the spirit of the nation -more truly than the collection of provincial advocates and financiers -which calls itself the Chamber of Deputies. The Army will be guided -by its chiefs, and, therefore, it is the Staff which holds our fate -in its hands. The generals very naturally feel a preference for a -soldier. It is now nearly six months since I was first approached in -the greatest secrecy by General Garnier.’ - -I had the utmost difficulty in not betraying my emotion at the sound -of this name, so inseparably connected with the Dreyfus Case. - -‘Garnier conveyed to me that he and his brother generals had decided -that the time was ripe for a revolution, in which they anticipated -receiving the support of the Church and the _noblesse_. He said -they were determined to avoid a second catastrophe like that of -the mountebank Boulanger, and therefore they meant to abolish the -Republic by a military pronunciamento, and declare France a monarchy -under their protection. And, in short, he offered me the crown in the -name of the French Army.’ - -‘You reminded him of my existence, perhaps?’ put in the elder brother -with some bitterness. - -‘I refused to entertain the offer until it had been made to, and -refused by, you,’ Louis protested earnestly. ‘Garnier replied that -in no event would his brother generals agree to your nomination, and -that, if I declined, the offer would be made to the Duke of Orleans, -who commanded the support of the clerical faction. It was a question -of Bonaparte or Bourbon, and I relied on our compact that in such a -case you would relinquish your rights in my favour.’ - -Prince Victor turned to me as though he wished me to express his -sentiments. I accepted the task. - -‘It would have been better if you had taken Prince Napoleon into -your confidence before giving any definite answer,’ I said. ‘General -Garnier might have paid your elder brother the compliment of -explaining the reasons for setting him aside.’ - -‘I did not consider the project sufficiently mature at that time,’ -was the answer. ‘I thought it better to wait till the affair assumed -a tangible shape.’ - -‘And this stage has now been reached?’ I inquired. - -‘It has. My brother will understand that a pretext was necessary for -the action of the Army, and that pretext could only be the danger -of war. For a long time we were troubled with the difficulty that -neither in Germany nor in England was there any disposition to attack -France, and our treaty with Russia laid it down in the most explicit -manner that the Tsar would only come to our assistance in the event -of our being attacked. - -‘But at last, thanks to the vigilance of Garnier and the other -chiefs of the Staff, it has been discovered that Germany is secretly -preparing for a stealthy spring; she is covering France with her -spies, and, but for the timely arrest of this Dreyfus----’ - -I could not resist a subdued exclamation of triumph as the utterance -of this name completed the chain of discovery. The whole intrigue -engineered by the artful and unscrupulous French generals lay -displayed to my eye, as on a map. I listened like one in a dream as -Prince Louis continued explaining to his brother the peril of the -French nation, the justification for the Army’s taking command of the -State, and the consequent certainty of a Bonaparte restoration. - -Victor listened silently, unable to think of any objection, and -seeing his own chance of ever reigning as Emperor of the French -slipping from him. It was I who put the decisive question. - -‘You have, I suppose, taken the Tsar into your confidence, and -convinced him of the reality of the danger?’ - -‘We have obtained the promise of his support,’ Louis answered. - -‘Good. In that case you will not refuse your brother the reasonable -proofs which it is his right to demand, that you have not been -deceived.’ - -‘What proofs do you expect?’ - -‘I respectfully advise Prince Napoleon to request an interview with -the Tsar.’ - -This advice was received with very different feelings by the two -brothers. Prince Louis cast on me a look of surprise and annoyance; -his elder brother’s eyes glistened with pleasure at a suggestion -whose value was at once apparent to him. - -‘You cannot object to my following my secretary’s advice’, said -Prince Victor, after a moment’s pause. ‘The interests of my House are -at stake; and before I resign the prospect of a throne I have a right -to be thoroughly satisfied. The Tsar is your friend, and, therefore, -you should be pleased to accept his mediation.’ - -Prince Louis yielded, not very graciously, to these representations, -and undertook to arrange the conference. He then withdrew, leaving us -to discuss the situation. - -It is unnecessary for me to relate what passed between Prince -Napoleon and myself. I succeeded in fixing him in the opinion that -he had been treated ungenerously, and that he owed it to himself to -thwart a dishonest and doubtful conspiracy, calculated to bring the -name of Bonaparte into odium. - -The following day, about the same hour, we were received by the -titular autocrat of All the Russias. - -The only persons present, besides the two brothers, were myself -and the celebrated Pobiedonostzeff, who up till quite recently has -exercised a mastery over the mind of his nominal sovereign that has -been compared to that of Richelieu over the feeble Louis XIII. - -It was at once evident that the decision of Nicholas II. would be -largely determined by the advice which he received from his spiritual -and political mentor. In effect, the conference resolved itself into -a duel between the formidable Russian statesman and myself; he, -animated by a hatred of freedom, which led him to sympathise with the -design against the Republic; I, influenced by a sense of justice, and -a desire to do my duty by the German Emperor. - -Having briefly acknowledged the favour of the Tsar in receiving him, -Prince Napoleon left the statement of his case in my hands. - -I began by briefly referring to the understanding between the two -brothers, and the present situation of affairs. - -‘What Prince Napoleon desires,’ I went on, addressing myself to -Pobiedonostzeff, ‘is to understand whether he is being asked -to abdicate on sufficient grounds. Is he dealing with a mere -hole-and-corner conspiracy, which may end in a fiasco; or is it true -that his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia is committed to the -approval and support of his brother’s enterprise?’ - -The Tsar glanced from my face to that of his Minister, as I -concluded, with an expression which convinced me that his Majesty -knew very little about the affair, in which he had no doubt blindly -accepted the guidance of Pobiedonostzeff. - -The Procurator of the Holy Synod had evidently come prepared with an -ambiguous reply. - -‘His Majesty is a friend of France, and, as such, he naturally views -with concern the weakness of the Republic, a weakness inseparable -from Governments which rest on the authority of the mob. The Emperor -is at the same time a friend of the House of Bonaparte, though, of -course, he has no wish to interfere in favour of any particular -candidate for the French throne rather than another. - -‘He is pledged by treaty to come to the assistance of France in the -case of an unprovoked attack by the Three Powers, or by the English. -It follows that where the danger of such an attack exists, his -Majesty is ready to encourage any prudent measure in the interests of -France, such as this appears to be.’ - -Prince Louis smiled, well pleased at this skilful answer. His brother -gave me an expectant glance. - -‘Am I to understand, then--or, rather, is Prince Napoleon to -understand--that it is the threatening attitude of Germany which has -weighed with his Imperial Majesty?’ - -‘You may say the treacherous intrigues of Germany. The Germans have -been careful to avoid any open provocation.’ - -‘His Majesty has received satisfactory proofs, no doubt, that such -intrigues exist?’ - -‘Undoubtedly. General Garnier, on behalf of the Staff of the French -Army, has laid before the Emperor’s advisers documents which prove -up to the hilt that Germany is merely waiting for the psychological -moment to spring upon France, disarm her, and erase her from the list -of the Great Powers.’ - -‘Would it not have been more in accordance with precedent if these -documents had been submitted to you by the President of the French -Republic through the medium of the French Ambassador?’ - -I was glad to notice the Tsar turn a questioning look on his Minister -as I delivered this thrust, for which Pobiedonostzeff was evidently -not prepared. - -‘I do not understand your objection,’ he said, in some surprise. -‘Prince Napoleon is surely not interested on behalf of the Republican -Government.’ - -‘The interest of Prince Napoleon is to know the truth,’ I responded -sternly. ‘Conspirators are not always scrupulous about the means they -employ. General Garnier is not a man who can be pronounced incapable -of manufacturing evidence in favour of his schemes.’ - -The Procurator’s face flushed. - -‘You venture to insinuate that General Garnier is a forger!’ he cried -wrathfully. - -‘Listen, M. Pobiedonostzeff. In the time of the late Tsar I was -employed by the Russian Government, before it concluded the treaty -of alliance with France, to obtain secret and precise information -concerning the military strength of that country. I have never -revealed the name of the officer from whom I purchased that -information. Shall I do so now?’ - -The Russian Minister gazed at me in consternation, and his master -appeared equally surprised. Glancing at a slip of paper which lay -before him, Pobiedonostzeff asked-- - -‘Who are you, then? Your name cannot be Rémillard.’ - -‘It is V----,’ I answered. - -The Procurator threw himself back in his seat, astonished. - -‘Your police have not shown their usual astuteness, I am afraid,’ I -observed, smiling. - -The Tsar now interposed in a tone of more authority than I had -ventured to hope from his not very strong face. - -‘Do you suggest, M. V----, that the whole Staff of the French Army -are engaged in a conspiracy to forge documents?’ - -‘Something of the kind, I am afraid, sire.’ - -‘But this notorious case, which has excited the attention of the -whole of Europe--the _Affaire Dreyfus_?’ - -‘I am in a position to assure your Majesty that Captain Dreyfus -had no more to do with Germany than M. Pobiedonostzeff here.’ - -[Illustration: “The Tsar now interposed in a tone of more authority -than I had ventured to hope for. ‘Do you suggest, M. V----, that the -whole staff of the French army are engaged in a conspiracy to forge -documents?’”] - -The Procurator of the Holy Synod raised his head. - -‘You are very confident, it seems to me, M. V----,’ he sneered. ‘May -I ask if you have been retained by the party which is seeking to -reopen the case of Dreyfus?’ - -‘No, M. le Procureur, my knowledge has been acquired from an opposite -quarter.’ - -‘From General Garnier himself, perhaps?’ - -‘No, _not this time_,’ I retorted, with biting significance. ‘My -information was derived from his Imperial Majesty, Wilhelm II.’ - -Never shall I forget the changes which passed rapidly across the -faces of three of my listeners as I made this statement. Prince -Victor Napoleon alone received unmoved an announcement for which he -was already prepared. - -‘It is not a month,’ I added calmly, ‘since the German Emperor -charged me with a commission to find out two things: the reason for -the theatrical publicity given to the trial of an obscure captain -in the French Army, and the object of the persistent attempt to -represent him as a spy of Germany.’ I paused for a moment and turned -to Nicholas II. before concluding. ‘That commission I have now -accomplished. I am now in a position to inform the German Emperor -that the purpose of this shameful comedy is to impose on the French -people the belief that they are in danger of an invasion, from which -they can only be delivered by a Bonaparte restoration under the -patronage of your Majesty.’ - -The face of the young Tsar went red and white by turn. - -‘I swear by Saint Nicholas that they shall eat their forgeries!’ he -said. - -And I have reason to know that it was the pressing and peremptory -request of the Russian Emperor that at last secured the second trial, -and the final pardon and release of the unhappy sufferer. - - - - -IV - -WHAT WAS BEHIND THE TSAR’S PEACE RESCRIPT - - -Perhaps the most sensational event in recent history was the -publication by the young and newly crowned Tsar of All the Russias -of a rescript calling upon the great military Powers of the world to -disband their armies and dismantle their fleets, and inaugurate an -era of universal peace. - -This extraordinary invitation produced a flutter in all the -diplomatic dovecotes, for European statesmen have learned by this -time that Russia does nothing in vain. Everywhere the same question -was asked: ‘What is behind this rescript?’ - -It is scarcely necessary to add that, with the exception of a few -sentimental fanatics in England and the United States, no one was -inclined to put faith in a demonstration which was actually the -prelude to a raid on the ancient liberties of Finland, in order to -swell the armies of the Imperial peacemaker, and to a combined attack -by all the great Christian Powers upon the only unarmed Empire in the -world. - -Nobody was deceived, but every one was disconcerted for the moment, -and I was disconcerted like the rest. I was more. I was irresistibly -drawn on to attempt the solution of a mystery which fascinated me -like a difficult chess problem set before an expert in the game. - -I could not afford, of course, to set about such an investigation -merely for my own amusement. After waiting a decent time on the -chance that I might be sent for by one of the Governments most -interested in unravelling the schemes of the great Eurasian Power, I -took the unusual step of going unasked to proffer my assistance to -the Ambassador of a Power to which I have rendered important services. - -To my surprise and chagrin I found myself repelled on the threshold, -the Ambassador in question, a diplomatist of great experience, -declaring that there was nothing to discover. - -‘I share your disbelief in the peaceful intentions of the Russian -Council of State,’ his Excellency was good enough to say to me. ‘But -this is a matter with which they have really had nothing to do. This -rescript is the outcome of the Tsar’s own individuality. He is a -philanthropic young man, carried away by the enthusiasm natural to -his age, and his advisers have had to give way to him. That is all; -and it only remains to see whether his idea is practicable.’ - -The explanation was a plausible one, and all the more so because by -this time the character of the new ruler of Russia was fairly well -known to those whose business it is to reckon up the personalities of -sovereigns and statesmen. Still I was not convinced. - -‘That is exactly the explanation which I should offer to the Foreign -Offices of Europe, if I were M. Witte,’ I ventured to observe. - -The Ambassador smiled with good humour. - -‘The explanation does not rest on the word of M. Witte, I assure -you,’ he answered. ‘Every one who knows anything about Nicholas II. -knows that he is a simple-minded, honest young man, quite incapable -of playing a part in a comedy. As a matter of fact there is nothing -in this rescript which he has not been saying in private conversation -with his family and friends any time this last two or three years. -The German Emperor heard all about it long ago. Now at last he has -put his views formally before the world in a state paper. These -proposals may not be practicable, but there can be no doubt that they -are perfectly sincere.’ - -‘I do not doubt the Tsar’s sincerity,’ I returned. ‘But knowing what -I know of Russia, I want to understand why the Council of State have -allowed the Tsar to have his own way.’ - -This time the Ambassador’s smile was less indulgent. - -‘Really, M. V----, I think you are pushing your suspicions too far. -Your profession has biassed your mind, and caused you to see mystery -where it does not exist. You remind me of those politicians whom -Bismarck used to say that he could always deceive by being perfectly -frank.’ - -I smiled in my turn, a little grimly, as I responded-- - -‘It appears to me, your Excellency, that the counsellors of the Tsar -have just taken a leaf out of Bismarck’s book.’ - -Baffled in this direction, I was casting about me for another client, -when my secretary came in to me one morning with a despatch marked -urgent, calling me to proceed immediately to Constantinople, where my -services were required by Muzaffir Effendi, the eunuch highest in the -confidence of Abdul Hamid. - -I snatched at the opening with the assurance of triumph. Of all -states Turkey was the one most deeply concerned in the foreign policy -of Russia. Of all possible clients the most desirable was the ruler -whose secret hoards had dazzled the imagination of every secret -service agent in the world for a quarter of a century. - -What the business might be on which Muzaffir wanted me I neither -knew nor greatly cared. I took my seat in the train that was to bear -me towards the Balkan Peninsula, firmly resolved that his business -should give way to mine. - -On my way across Central Europe I found the papers already full of -the touching story of the benevolent young despot and his triumph -over the worldly wisdom of his counsellors. I could not blame the -journalists for being taken in by a story which had imposed on one -of the most hard-headed diplomatists in Paris; I could only marvel -at the astuteness and daring of the Muscovite statesmen who had -contrived to turn the personal idiosyncrasies of their sovereign to -use in their Machiavellian politics. - -On reaching the shores of the Bosphorus I found, as I had -anticipated, that I was wanted to disentangle a miserable intrigue -of the harem, the kind of work more suited to a private detective -than to a man in my unique position. Under any other circumstances I -should have declined the task without more ado; as it was, I turned -Muzaffir’s difficulty into my opportunity. - -‘Listen to me,’ I said to the trembling eunuch, as soon as he had -finished confiding his tale to me, ‘I can save you, and I will save -you, but only on one condition. And that is, that you procure me a -private and confidential audience of the Sultan, and that you use -your influence with him to make him grant the request I have to -make.’ - -Muzaffir, who, like all his tribe, was a miser, seemed overjoyed at -this cheap method of rewarding me. Of course, he wished to know the -object I had in view. - -‘I am going to ask the Sultan to employ me on a secret political -mission outside the Turkish Empire, a mission from which you have -nothing to fear. Your business is to persuade the Sultan to trust -me--let that be enough.’ - -Twist and wriggle as he would, the eunuch found he could get nothing -more out of me. He gave in, and his influence over the mind of Abdul -Hamid being unbounded, I quickly found myself face to face with the -lean, dark, gaunt-eyed Asiatic who styles himself Commander of the -Faithful and Shadow of God on earth. - -Abdul Hamid proved to be in a more suspicious mood than my friend in -Paris. As soon as I mentioned the Peace Rescript he interrupted me. - -‘I am not going to disarm. I know what the Christian Powers are -by this time. They always begin to talk about peace when they are -secretly preparing to attack somebody.’ - -‘I am afraid your Majesty is right. The question is, what is the real -design underlying this particular piece of hypocrisy?’ - -‘I know that, too,’ was the unexpected reply. ‘The Russians have -decided to turn their attention to China. There they can do all that -they want with a hundred thousand men. So it is to their interest to -get rid of the burden of a great army which will not be wanted for a -generation.’ - -This was an ingenious idea, but it did not satisfy me, any more than -the semi-official one had done. I ventured to object-- - -‘If that were all, sire, there would be no occasion for this -melodramatic appeal to the other Powers. There is nothing to hinder -Russia from reducing her armaments by one-half to-morrow. No one -dreams of attacking her. Her army is kept up for offence, not for -defence. She is the one Power that could afford to set the example -of disbanding, and such an example would carry more weight than any -number of professions on paper, however well meant.’ - -The Sultan appeared struck by this reasoning. - -‘Then what do you say is the object behind this rescript?’ he -demanded. - -‘I do not know. But I undertake to find out if your Majesty will -furnish me with the necessary means.’ - -Abdul Hamid gave me a distrustful glance. - -‘It is an expensive thing to buy information from the Council of -State,’ he grumbled. - -‘You are right, sire. And the higher one goes, the more expensive it -becomes. It is clear that this move has been engineered by persons -who are able to manage the Tsar himself, and such persons are not -likely to sell their own game for much less than a million roubles.’ - -Abdul Hamid quivered at the mention of this sum as though I had -demanded one of the eyes out of his head. - -‘Why should I go to this expense?’ he objected. ‘I have already told -you that I am not going to disarm.’ - -‘The question is whether you are willing to see Germany and Austria -disarm, leaving you to face Russia single-handed. Surely it is worth -a hundred thousand pounds to Turkey to prevent her allies from -falling into such a trap.’ - -The Sultan still hesitated. - -‘How do I know that I shall get anything in return, if I trust you -with this money?’ he asked suspiciously. - -‘Your Majesty must judge me by what I have done already. Two -days ago you had never heard my name. Now I am here alone with -you, with a loaded revolver in my pocket’--the Sultan started -violently--‘discussing the secrets of your foreign policy. Does that -look as though I were a fool?’ - -The Commander of the Faithful sat silent, attentively regarding me -for some minutes. Finally he dismissed me, promising to consider my -proposal. - -[Illustration: “‘Your Majesty must judge me by what I have done -already. Two days you had never heard my name. Now I am here, alone -with you, with a loaded revolver in my pocket.’ The Sultan started -violently.”] - -I withdrew, confident that Abdul would consult his all-powerful -favourite, and that Muzaffir would see that I got my way. - -A week later I was back in Paris, with an autograph letter from the -Sultan to his Ambassador in Russia, and a draft on the Ottoman Bank -which I took the precaution to exchange for a letter of credit from a -private Parisian banking firm to the Ephrussis of Petersburg. - -My intention was to go to Russia in the character of a French -financial agent, the representative of a syndicate of Paris bankers, -on the look-out for profitable concessions from the Government of the -Tsar. In this way I hoped to be able to approach influential persons -without exciting suspicion, and to ascertain their corruptibility -before exposing my secret object. - -In order to play this part it was not necessary for me to indulge -in any actual deceit. As a matter of fact the demand for foreign -capital to develop Russian properties is a steadily increasing -one, and I had no difficulty in meeting with financiers willing to -constitute me their agent, to inquire into the character of some of -the undertakings submitted to them. - -The only person I proposed to take into my confidence was the Turkish -Ambassador in Petersburg, on whom I relied for information as to the -personal influences at work in the Russian Court. - -It was to the Ambassador, therefore, that I paid my first visit on -arriving in the northern capital. His Excellency received me at -first with some reserve, which was quickly dissipated by a perusal of -the Sultan’s missive. - -‘You have come to learn the truth about this rescript,’ he remarked. -‘It is certainly a new departure. You disbelieve in the sincerity of -the Tsar, I suppose?’ - -‘Not in the sincerity of the Tsar, but in the sincerity of those who -make his benevolent sentiments the cloak of their own secret policy,’ -I corrected. - -The Ambassador nodded approvingly. - -‘You have put your finger on the weak spot,’ he responded. ‘The -danger in dealing with this rescript is that the other Powers may -take it seriously owing to their trust in the personal character of -Nicholas. In reality Nicholas is merely an instrument in the hands of -three persons, without whose advice he does nothing, and two of those -three are themselves creatures of the Council of State.’ - -‘And the three persons are?’ - -‘They are his mother, the Dowager Empress Dagmar; Pobiedonostzeff, -the Procurator of the Holy Synod; and the Grand Duke ----, the Tsar’s -constant companion and bosom friend.’ - -At the sound of such names as these I was almost appalled at the -outset. The character of the Dowager Empress, as much as her rank, -rendered her unapproachable. M. Pobiedonostzeff, although a bigot, -was not likely to be a traitor. The Grand Duke was an unknown -quantity, as far as I was concerned, but it did not seem very -probable that a personage in his position would prove accessible to a -bribe. - -It never does to despair too soon. I put the question which long -experience of the dark side of human nature has rendered habitual -with me-- - -‘Has the Grand Duke any vices?’ - -‘He gambles a good deal in the Yacht Club.’ - -I drew a breath of satisfaction. Of all men the gambler is the -easiest to corrupt, because to him alone money is everything, and -because there comes a time to every gambler when money is not to be -had. - -‘Who are his gambling companions?’ was my next question. - -The Ambassador named several Russian nobles of high rank, among whom -the leading spirit seemed to be a Prince Boris Mendelieff. I was -going on with my inquiries when his Excellency checked me. - -‘I have told you enough, it seems to me, to enable you to go on by -yourself. In the meantime I am the Ambassador of the Sultan, not -his secret service agent, and I wish to know nothing that might -compromise me.’ - -I respected his scruples, though they were such as some Russian -diplomatists would scarcely have understood, and proceeded to form -my own plans for making the acquaintance of Prince Mendelieff. - -Fortunately the Russians are as unsuspicious in private life as they -are suspicious in politics. My skill as a bridge-player, a game in -which I have no living superior, proved a ready passport into the -gaming circles of Petersburg, and it was not long before I found -myself sitting at the same card-table with the intimate of the Grand -Duke. - -I was lucky enough to lose a considerable sum to him, which I paid -with a good grace, and he could not do less than invite me to his -house. I accepted the invitation with an eagerness which must have -struck him as rather ill-bred, and we drove there together. Over a -bottle of champagne I became confidential. I avowed myself to be -a money-lender, as well as a concession-hunter, and hinted that I -should be prepared to pay handsomely for introductions to clients of -high station. - -Mendelieff took the bait like a hungry pike. He was the first -to mention the name of the Grand Duke, doubtless knowing that -his Imperial Highness would be only too pleased to meet such an -accommodating person as I appeared to be. A bargain was struck, and -Mendelieff promised to let me know as soon as he had arranged for my -reception by his august patron. - -The meeting took place in the Prince’s own house. Cards were -produced, the stakes were exceedingly high, and rather against my -wish I won steadily, while the losses of the Grand Duke were severe -enough to disturb his good humour. Mendelieff artfully seized the -right moment to present me as a friend in need, and to take off the -rest of the party, leaving us together. - -The Grand Duke lost no time in putting me to the proof. - -‘You are a banker, are you not, M. de Sarthe?’--De Sarthe was the -name under which I had crossed the frontier. - -‘At least, I represent some important financial houses,’ I replied. - -‘Oh, spare me that kind of thing,’ his Imperial Highness returned -impatiently, ‘let us take the usual comedy for granted, and tell me -frankly how much you are prepared to lend me.’ - -‘I do not know how much you want, sir, but I have any sum up to a -million roubles at your service.’ - -The Grand Duke’s eyes sparkled. - -‘M. de Sarthe, you are a friend indeed!’ he exclaimed. ‘But what are -your terms for this advance?’ - -‘As far as your pocket is concerned, nothing. I do not even ask that -this loan shall ever be repaid.’ - -He stared at me for a moment in astonishment. Then all at once his -expression changed, and his voice dropped to a whisper. - -‘Ah! I understand. This is some affair of the secret service. You are -offering me a bribe, I suppose.’ - -‘I do not come from the Third Section, if that is what your Highness -means. I am, as I have said, a financier, and my only object is to -make money.’ - -‘I see. You wish me to influence the Government on your behalf?’ - -‘Not exactly that, sir. I am in search of information--information -which will enable me to operate successfully on the Paris Bourse.’ - -The Grand Duke looked rather relieved. It was evident that he did not -consider this very serious. - -‘And what is the information you want?’ he asked. - -‘It is very simple. I want to know the real bearing of the recent -Peace Rescript of the Tsar. Let me explain,’ I went on quickly, -raising my hand as I saw he was about to speak. ‘I know the surface -explanation of the matter, but I do not believe it. I do not believe -that this rescript would ever have seen the light unless the Council -of State had some purpose of their own to serve by it, and I want to -know what that purpose is. It is not to lessen the burden of their -own armaments; they could do that, if they chose, to-morrow. This is -an appeal to the other Powers to disarm, and I want to know why it -has been made.’ - -The Grand Duke listened to this speech in silence, biting his lips -with an air of indecision from which I augured a good result. - -‘You seem to know a good deal, M. de Sarthe,’ he said sullenly. -‘Surely you must know that I am not in the secrets of our Foreign -Office.’ - -‘I believe that, of course, if you say so, sir. But I believe as -well that the Tsar did not draw up this document without your -encouragement, and that in encouraging the Tsar, you acted as the -instrument of the Council of State. I am entitled to suppose that you -were not a blind instrument, but that you knew pretty well why the -Council were so ready to fall in with the enthusiastic impulses of -Nicholas II.’ - -It was a bold thrust, but it went home. The Grand Duke gave me a -startled look, and relapsed into a long spell of silent pondering. -Finally he said-- - -‘And supposing I were to tell you something that you considered it -worth a million roubles to hear, what guarantee have I that you would -not betray my secret? What proof have I even now that you are not a -spy set on by my enemies in the Council of State?’ - -‘I will give your Highness that proof on condition that, if it is -satisfactory, you will accept my proposal.’ - -‘I consent.’ - -‘Then all I need do is to invite you to make your communication, -not to me but to the Ambassador of the Sublime Porte, whom you will -hardly suspect of being in the confidence of M. Pobiedonostzeff.’ - -With these words I rose to my feet. Stupefied for a moment, the Grand -Duke recovered himself in time to make a detaining gesture. - -‘Do not go, monsieur. What you have said completely satisfies me. It -appears that I am required to betray my country.’ - -‘That depends,’ I returned smoothly. ‘If the Council of State is -plotting to betray the Tsar, as I understand it is, I should have -thought it consistent with the honour of a Russian prince of the -blood to take part in defeating their unworthy schemes.’ - -This was evidently a new view to his Imperial Highness, and I could -see by the expression of his face that it was telling powerfully. - -‘Well,’ he said at length, ‘it seems to me that you have my word. -When do you propose to pay me this money?’ - -‘Now, this moment, if your Highness pleases.’ - -‘Count it out, then,’ was the brief injunction. - -[Illustration: “It was a singular scene, as I stood there laying -down pile after pile of greasy ten-thousand-rouble notes on a richly -inlaid table.”] - -I obeyed. It was a singular scene as I stood there laying down pile -after pile of greasy ten thousand rouble notes on a richly inlaid -table, while one of the highest personages in the proudest Court of -Europe or Asia stood beside me, his tall figure glistening with gold -ornaments and jewelled decorations, and his dark Slavonian features -flushed with excitement and greed. As the last note left my fingers, -he bent down and breathed in my ear-- - -‘_Take the Siberian railway, and use your eyes._’ - -I am ready to admit that my first feeling, after hearing those few -words which had cost me a hundred thousand roubles each, was one of -sickening disappointment. But a very little consideration served -to show me that the Grand Duke had told me enough to place success -within my reach, and that the information which he thus put it in -my power to acquire by my own observation was calculated to be of -greater value than any mere statement made at second-hand. - -Somewhere along the vast, just completed track which connects the -Baltic with the Pacific lay the key to the true purpose of that -famous rescript which had imposed on all the statesmen of the world, -and only vigilance and circumspection were required to find it. - -Never was there a journey more fraught with peril than that which I -now undertook. I had to disappear from civilisation for an unknown -length of time, and plunge into a region shrouded in mysterious -dread, the land of prison and exile; the gloomy realm which forms the -background to the showy life of the capital beside the Neva, like a -dark subterranean dungeon hidden beneath a glittering palace. - -From Siberia few enemies of the Russian Government ever return. My -safety depended on my keeping up the character of a financial agent, -on the look-out for sources of wealth requiring French capital -for their development. In that character I was sure of a cordial -reception, and it served as a convenient cloak for some curiosity -about the country I was passing through. - -Not daring to intrust my secret to a companion, I was obliged to go -without sleep from the moment of leaving the Ural mountains behind. -The utmost indulgence I could allow myself was such a light doze -as left the attention ready to leap into activity at the least -provocation. At every stopping place I got out and made a careful -examination of the neighbourhood. The one thing I had to fear was the -night. In the Cimmerian darkness of a northern winter I might have -been carried past an army without perceiving it. - -The train by which I travelled was a long one, and it was increased -before we entered Asia by the addition of an open car like a -cattle-truck, containing peasants whom I took to be prisoners. I had -to be careful not to show myself too inquisitive, but I noticed at -the various stations along the track that they were all young men -of about the same age, and that they got in and out in obedience to -orders given by officials who were armed, and whom I imagined to be -warders or police. - -I did not consider it safe to hold much conversation with my fellow -passengers. It was probable that more than one spy was among them. -I had an uneasy sensation of being watched by invisible eyes, and I -knew that if I once aroused real suspicion by my behaviour, my doom -was sealed. - -So the days and nights passed, and the train crept on its way across -the silence of the frozen continent. I strained my eyes in vain -across the blinding waste, and strained my ears through the night. No -sight or sound rewarded me, save the solitary huts of the railway-men -and the monotonous tinkle of sleigh-bells. - -According to my reckoning we had got nearly half way from the Ural to -the Amur when the longest stage of all was reached. We ran from the -sunset of one day to nearly noon of the next, only halting to take in -water and fuel. Then at last the train entered a town of considerable -importance, apparently a sort of depôt of the line, there being many -side-rails on which trucks were standing as though waiting till they -should be required. - -As soon as the train stopped, I got out as usual with the other -passengers, to stretch my legs and look about me. The long journey -and the lack of proper rest had so exhausted me that it was some time -before I realised that there was an unusual lack of bustle about this -particular halt. - -When at last the fact of this strange stillness was borne in upon my -consciousness, I roused myself to observation. At once I perceived -that the alighting passengers were fewer in number than before. It -was the troop I had mistaken for prisoners who were missing. I looked -at the end of the train for their car. It was no longer there. - -We had silently slipped the wagon in the course of the night! - -This discovery acted on my tired brain like magic. In an instant I -was again the alert, cautious investigator whose decisions were as -swift as his intuitions were unerring. Without hesitating I returned -to my carriage, removed my luggage with the aid of a porter, and -ordered a sleigh to drive me to the hotel. - -The guard of the train came up to me, as I was making these -preparations, and asked me if I were not going on. - -‘Not by your train,’ I replied blandly. ‘I shall break my journey -here, and look about me. By what I can see this place seems likely to -be an important commercial centre, such as I have come in search of.’ - -‘Your Excellency is mistaken,’ the man answered roughly. ‘This place -is nothing at all--only a dumping place for spare wagons. To-morrow -we shall come to a really important town, where much business is -done.’ - -I gave the fellow my most supercilious stare. Then, pulling out a -note for fifty roubles, I handed it to him, saying haughtily-- - -‘I am obliged to you for your trouble. Good day.’ - -He drew back astonished and abashed, and I made my way out of the -station, without once turning to see if I were followed. - -Directly I reached the hotel I threw myself on a bed, and slept -soundly for twenty-four hours. - -I awoke refreshed and vigorous, and ready to carry out my task with -coolness and resolution. Knowing myself to be in a land where every -second man was a spy, I thought it idle to attempt any concealment of -my actions. I was there as an explorer, and I determined to explore -boldly. If the agents of the Government took it on themselves to stop -me, I knew well enough how to deal with them. - -My first step was to ask the landlord of the hotel to recommend me a -guide. The man whom he presented to me was a typical _mouchard_, with -‘spy’ written on every line of his countenance. This was just what I -expected. I engaged him at a liberal salary, and ordered him to fit -out an expedition for a journey of some days into the interior. - -‘Where do you want to go?’ the man asked. - -‘Where I please,’ I replied sharply. ‘Keep your curiosity to -yourself, or take another master. I want a guide, not a partner.’ - -This rebuke had the desired effect. The police agent, for such of -course he was, was obliged to come with me on my own terms. Doubtless -he reported me to his bureau as a headstrong man who could not be -controlled by any means save open force. - -At the same time I lost no opportunity of impressing the authorities -with my assumed character. The Prefect of the town called on me, -and I explained to him that Siberia was regarded in Paris as one of -the richest mineral regions of the earth, and that I was merely the -pioneer of a swarm of prospectors who would be invading it before -long. I made his mouth water as I talked of shares and syndicates, -and conveyed to him that by a judicious use of his opportunities he -might become one of the millionaires of the future. - -To the westward of the town, in the direction from which the train -had brought me, there was visible a range of low hills, a conspicuous -landmark in the desolate plain. It was towards these hills that I -ordered my guide to conduct me, as soon as the preparations for the -march were completed. - -The rascal was cunning enough to hide his reluctance, and we set -out. But after we had gone a day’s journey I noticed that our march -was steadily veering away from the line of the railway, and taking a -northerly direction. I said nothing, determined to counteract these -tactics at the right moment. At the end of the third day, after a -slow progress compared with the speed of the train, we pitched our -camp at the foot of the range, about forty miles, as near as I could -judge, from the point where it was pierced by the railway. - -The next morning the caravan wound its way to the summit of the -ridge, and I looked down on a broad valley, watered by a river, and -broken up by small spurs jutting out from the main watershed. As the -guide was about to plunge down, so as to cross the stream, I checked -him abruptly. - -‘We are not going that way. I shall turn southward now, and keep -along the summit of the ridge till we come to the railway.’ - -The man’s face turned as black as a thunder-cloud. - -‘You cannot go that way,’ he snorted. - -‘Why?’ - -He hesitated. - -‘Because it is impassable. The horses will break down.’ - -‘We will go on till they do,’ I answered sternly. ‘And let this be -your last attempt to disobey me. At the next I send you back, and go -on without you.’ - -The man slunk forward, muttering curses, which I affected not to -hear. But I had not yet frightened him sufficiently. At the next halt -one of the drivers came to me and reported that a horse had gone lame. - -‘Bring it here,’ I commanded. - -He went away, and returned leading the animal. - -‘Go,’ I said sternly. ‘Take the horse back with you, and take rations -for three days. Do not let me see you again.’ - -The driver looked thoroughly crestfallen. He slouched back to his -comrades without another word. - -I waited till half an hour had passed, then I rose and walked over to -the camp-fire, round which my followers were seated, the driver among -them. - -‘How is it that you are still here?’ I demanded. - -‘The horse is all right again,’ was the surly answer. - -‘So much the worse for you.’ I took out my revolver in one hand, and -my watch in the other. ‘In ten minutes from now I aim this revolver -at you, and fire,’ I remarked. ‘It kills at two hundred metres. I -should advise you to get out of range.’ - -I do not think I have ever seen a man get through his preparations -in less time than then. Long before the allotted time was up, he was -well out of reach, galloping down the slope of the hill. - -In every expedition through a wild country there comes a moment which -decides who is to be master. That moment past, I had no fear of -further trouble. I was now able to unbend with the guide; I informed -him that I expected to find gold, and promised him a rich reward if I -succeeded with his aid. - -But a disappointment was in store for me. Although we marched -carefully along the summit of the hills, and I scrutinised every yard -of the valley below with a powerful field-glass, I detected no trace -of anything calling for investigation; in fact, I discerned no signs -of human life. By the time I had worked down to the railway I began -to fear that I was on a false scent. - -It was in the night, after we had pitched our camp close beside the -line, that the true solution occurred to me. I rose and secretly -crept out of my tent, eluding the solitary watchman, and made my -way along the track of the rails. After groping and stumbling over -the roughly laid road for three or four miles, I suddenly made a -discovery. The line divided, sending off a branch rail, which curved -away to the south. - -I knew now what had become of the missing gang of prisoners, or -rather--for by this time I saw more clearly--of military recruits. - -I also knew why I had missed my way. The guide had led me to the -north of the line, and what I had come so far to find lay to the -south. - -The next day I issued orders to continue the march to the southward, -crossing the railway. The face of the guide, when he received -this direction, sufficiently showed that I was getting warm, as -the children say, at last. He made no open remonstrance, but in -the course of the day I noticed that another man and horse had -disappeared. - -I paid no attention to this proof of treachery. It came too late to -affect me. By noon of the first day after quitting the main line -for the south, I was already in possession of the carefully guarded -secret of the Council of State. - -There at my feet, along the widening valley, lay a double line of -rails, gleaming blue in the sunlight, and all across the level space -at regular intervals stretched low banks and ditches--the lines of a -vast encampment, capable of accommodating half a million men. Still -further on I had a glimpse of the white sparkle of tents and piles of -fresh-hewn timber, and I even fancied I could catch the faint hum of -voices and the thud of hammers as the hidden army toiled away at its -barracks and entrenchments. - -[Illustration: “There at my feet, along the widening valley, lay -a double line of rails, and all across the level space stretched -low banks and ditches--the lines of a vast encampment, capable of -accommodating half a million men.”] - -The meaning of the Peace Rescript was manifest at last, and the -meaning was formidable indeed. While appearing to disarm in concert -with the rest of Europe, Russia’s intention was secretly to withdraw -her enormous forces to this unsuspected retreat, from whence, at -the decisive moment, they would issue like a creation of magic, to -overwhelm the defenceless continent. - -I had made my discovery; it was still a question whether I was to -return with it in safety. - -Before I had made up my mind whether to push my observations further, -I was alarmed to see a sotnia of Cossacks approaching, led by a -Russian officer. My little camp was quickly surrounded, and the -officer presented himself before me. - -It required all my nerve to deal with the emergency. The first -words of the officer showed me that he considered me a spy, and was -prepared to hang me out of hand. I affected the utmost astonishment -and indignation, and produced the papers which showed me to be a -Frenchman travelling on behalf of various financial syndicates in -Paris. The officer thrust them aside contemptuously. - -‘All this is nothing to me,’ he declared. ‘You should not have come -within reach of our camp. Even if I do not hang you, you will never -be allowed to return to Europe, of that you may be assured.’ - -‘I will take my chance of that, captain,’ I answered coolly. ‘Living -in this out-of-the-way region, you perhaps have not heard that France -and Russia are in military alliance, and, besides, that the Tsar has -declared his intention to disarm, so that your preparations here have -ceased to be of the slightest consequence to anybody.’ - -The officer was fairly staggered. He had heard, of course, of the -French alliance, and no doubt some rumour as to the recent rescript -had penetrated to the secret camp, but without its scope being very -well understood. - -‘I know that it is my duty to arrest you, at the very least,’ he -persisted. - -‘As to that, you will do as you please. It will sound well in -Paris that every prospector who ventures into Siberia with a view -of developing the resources of the country exposes himself to the -treatment of a spy. M. Witte will find it takes some persuasion to -secure another French loan.’ - -It is needless to give further details of a conversation in which the -ignorance of the Russian gave me a very great advantage over him. I -am vain enough to plume myself on having made use of the treacherous -rescript to out-manœuvre its authors. In saying that, of course, I -do not refer to Nicholas II., who perhaps did not even know of the -existence of the hidden camp. - -In the end the Cossack officer decided to escort me back to the -town where I had left the train, and hand me over to the civil -authorities, a decision which was assisted by the usual methods of -persuasion in the East. My friend the Prefect, already predisposed -in my favour, required a somewhat heavier bribe, and finally I made -assurance doubly sure by resuming my journey eastward, and leaving -Russian territory by way of the Chinese frontier. - -It was from the first telegraph station in the Celestial Empire that -I sent the cipher despatch to Constantinople which was destined to -render abortive the much-talked-of Conference at the Hague: - -‘_Russia preparing enormous concealed camp in Siberia, beside -railway, to hide forces when nominally disbanded. I have seen it._’ - -Abdul Hamid was too shrewd to take any open part in opposing the -Russian proposals, but when I saw the firm stand made against them by -the German representatives, I knew that he had not thrown my telegram -into the waste-paper basket. - -It only remains to add that the Russian Government, realising that -its secret had been betrayed, stealthily set to work to efface every -sign of the concealed camp; and that, if my latest information be -correct, the mysterious valley is again given over to silence and to -solitude. - - - - -V - -WHO REALLY KILLED KING HUMBERT OF ITALY? - - -Guy de Maupassant once remarked to me that it was necessary to -preserve the Anarchists in order to make modern history interesting. - -The rulers of the world seem to be of the same opinion. Over and -over again scientists and men of common sense have told them that -the Anarchist is simply a diseased mind, requiring to be dealt with -like other brain-sick creatures. But statesmen and police alike have -persisted in treating the Anarchist as a serious politician, with -results which are, unfortunately, too well known. - -It is true that, after the death of Elizabeth of Austria, the -chivalrous King of Italy, Humbert, summoned a conference of -diplomatists and police directors in Venice to consider methods for -dealing with the Anarchists. But he would have done better to call in -Professor Lombroso. I myself would undertake to guarantee the life of -every ruler in Europe and America, for the sum of £20,000 a year, -provided I were allowed to incarcerate in an asylum every man whom I -could prove to be a sufferer from homicidal mania. - -As it was, I foreboded that the only result of King Humbert’s gallant -action would be to point him out to these creatures as their next -victim. Yet I must now so far confess myself mistaken as to declare -that the death of the late King of Italy does not really lie at the -door of Anarchism. - -It was another European sovereign, more alive to the realities of -the situation than Humbert, who secretly commissioned me to make -an investigation into the organisation of the Anarchist sect and -the trend of its operations. I must not disclose the name of this -monarch; to do so would be to point him out to the vengeance of the -assassins. - -As soon as I had received his commission I laid aside all my other -work and prepared to disappear for an indefinite period. - -My first step was to transform myself into a workman, or rather a -loafer, for an industrious workman is seldom found among the ‘active’ -Anarchists. I secured a few jobs in Paris as a house-painter’s -labourer--that is to say, I did the scraping and cleaning before the -skilled workman applied the fresh coats of paint. I took care to show -no zeal in my employment, and in the intervals of work I hung about -the brasseries and grumbled at the smallness of my earnings. - -By these tactics I quickly earned the reputation of a good comrade, -and a true-hearted Republican. The Socialists of the quarter I had -chosen to work in quickly recognised me as a likely convert, and I -allowed them to enrol me in one of the most advanced societies. - -All these measures were mere preliminaries to the final one of -blossoming forth as a declared Anarchist. It is from the ranks -of Socialism that Anarchism draws its recruits. Though the two -theories are utterly opposed, they express the same discontent with -civilisation. An Anarchist is little more than a Socialist who has -gone out of his mind. - -By going over to the Anarchist group from the arms of their rivals, I -ensured myself a welcome which would never have been given to me had -I attempted to force myself upon them at the outset. - -Among the Anarchists it was necessary to adopt rather different -tactics. I had now to play the part of a dangerous lunatic, only -awaiting direction from some superior mind to commit an act of -violence. - -Paris itself is not an important Anarchist centre. The French police -are too quick witted for their capital to be a comfortable residence -for these desperadoes. The three great centres, as most people know, -are Zürich, London, and Jersey City, U.S.A. - -Zürich is the Russian headquarters, and is rather a place for -Nihilists than international Anarchists. I therefore decided to cross -over to London, in the hope of coming into touch with the leading -minds of the sect. - -In London I found myself received without the least suspicion. My -carefully prepared record stood me in good stead. I was introduced by -my Parisian comrades as a promising convert from Socialism, and no -one inquired further. - -I found the London Anarchists torn by internal dissensions which left -them no time to think of attacking kings and queens. The first man -I was asked to murder was Prince ----, the leader of the idealist -group, whose sole offence was his refusal to concur in the homicidal -programme of the active Anarchists. - -I refused to execute this mandate, on the plea that I had vowed to -put to death a crowned head, and could not afford to risk my life in -the pursuit of humbler prey. - -I may state here that the elaborate machinery of secret meetings, -oaths, ballots, and so on has no existence except in the imagination -of popular novelists. Their fantastic descriptions can only provoke -a smile on the part of any one who has been behind the scenes of -Anarchism. - -The Anarchists are a fluctuating community, here to-day and gone -to-morrow, among whom a few leading spirits who have learned to know -and trust each other by actual experience exercise an influence much -like that exercised by the Front Bench over a Parliamentary party -in England, an influence which varies with their own concord and -strength of character. - -When these leaders find a man whom they see to be a suitable -instrument, they bring their influence to bear on him to carry -out whatever object they may agree upon. In some cases perhaps a -pantomimic scene is arranged, such as we read of in romances, to -impress a weak mind. I can only say that I never saw anything of the -sort. - -A well-known Anarchist, whose name would be recognised immediately -were I to mention it, took me aside one night, and suggested to me -the removal of the Prince. I gave the answer I have mentioned, and -the proposal was instantly dropped. - -My refusal was followed, naturally enough, by an attempt on my own -life. Two days afterwards the editor of an Anarchist paper, who had -taken rather a fancy to me, came round to my lodgings before daybreak -and advised me to leave for America. He gave me no reason for this -advice, but he was very urgent with me, and insisted on writing me a -letter of introduction to a man living in Jersey City. I promised to -consider the matter, and he bade me farewell. - -On leaving my lodging an hour later to go and look for a job--the -customary pretence--I discovered immediately that I was being -followed. I need scarcely say that for me to baffle the clumsy -espionage of such blunderers would have been the easiest thing in -the world. But I wished to see how far they would go, and I allowed -my tracker to follow me all day. At night I went down to the Thames -Embankment. I placed myself on the edge of the river steps by -Cleopatra’s Needle, and waited. - -I am a good swimmer, and I did not think it likely that my enemy -would use a weapon if he thought he could get rid of me by the simple -method of pushing me into the water. A pistol would be too dangerous -for himself on account of the report. I had seen that he did not -carry a stick. He was probably armed with a knife, and he might try -and give me a thrust with it as he pushed me over; but a knife-thrust -in the back is not a very serious thing to a man who has been in the -habit of wearing a mail shirt for twenty years. - -I am ready to confess that my heart beat faster as I heard the -stealthy tread coming up behind me. To my surprise the would-be -assassin paused before he had got within striking distance, and -shuffled with his feet on the flags. Puzzled by these tactics I -glanced round and saw a young man, not more than twenty years of age, -whose face was white, and who was trembling in every limb. At once -I grasped the situation. The poor wretch’s heart had failed him, and -he was trying to put me on my guard against himself, in order that he -might have an excuse for not carrying out his task. - -I walked past him without a word, shook him off in the course of the -next hour, and took the last train to Liverpool. - -On my arrival in the States, I lost no time in seeking out the man -to whom my editor friend had furnished me with an introduction. To -the European reader it may be worth while to explain that Jersey City -practically joins on to New York, so that it is really a suburb of -the American metropolis. - -I was received with open arms by this man--an Italian named -Ferretti--and I became a member of the most influential Anarchist -club. Among those I sometimes played dominoes with there was a -long-haired dreamer named Bresci, a visitor from Paterson. All this -time I passed under the name of Lebrun. My American citizenship I -carefully concealed. - -I soon saw that some one had informed the American group of my being -bound by oath to kill a crowned head. On all hands I was treated with -the deference due to a prospective martyr. It was not long before -Ferretti himself began to sound me as to my willingness to make -Humbert of Italy my victim. - -[Illustration: “I walked past him without a word.”] - -I was careful not to discourage this suggestion as I had the one made -to me in London. I listened to all Ferretti had to say with apparent -acquiescence. - -‘Humbert has placed himself at the head of our enemies,’ he urged. -‘This Venice conference is a declaration of war. If we wish to -maintain our moral ascendency we must strike a blow which will -intimidate other rulers from proceeding against us.’ - -As soon as I could get away I went into New York and sent a code -telegram to my secretary in Paris for him to decipher and send on -to the King of Italy. It was in these terms: ‘_Anarchists in Jersey -City, U.S.A., are looking for man to send against you. Have ports -watched._’ - -Unfortunately the King paid no attention to this warning. He was a -fatalist, it seems. - -Ferretti returned to the charge before long. I kept him in play, -neither consenting nor refusing, my object being, of course, to -retain his confidence. I did not want another man to be despatched -instead of me without my knowledge. - -It was not long before others beside Ferretti began to try and -influence me in the same direction. It is difficult to trace the -first birth of suspicion in the mind, but a suspicion was born in -mine that these men had some motive which they had not yet disclosed -to me for urging me to this attempt. - -I tested them at last by making a counter-proposal. It was in the -club, late one night, and there were present, beside Ferretti, -another Italian who called himself ‘The Bear,’ a bearded German named -Peters, and a Swiss watchmaker, who was lame and used crutches. These -four seemed to have a common understanding. - -Peters had been acting as spokesman, and strongly denouncing the -proceedings at Venice, which he described as an abandonment of the -methods of civilisation--a curious complaint for an Anarchist to make. - -Ferretti applied the moral. - -‘Some one must be found to avenge us,’ he declared. ‘If Humbert is -suffered to live, our principles are doomed.’ - -‘I am not sure of that,’ I answered. ‘Humbert is not a politician. -He has been stirred up because Luccheni killed a woman, which, in my -opinion, was an unwise action. We ought to choose our victims more -carefully. It is absurd to pick off a man like Humbert, when there -are such enemies as ---- and ---- alive.’ - -My remarks were received in ominous silence. The other four exchanged -looks of disappointment. The Bear was the first to protest. - -‘It is the curse of Anarchism that every one wants to have his own -opinion. It seems to me that when men like ourselves, who have guided -the movement for years, are agreed on the right course of action, a -new comrade ought to accept our decision.’ - -I did not retort that the word Anarchist, if it meant anything, meant -one who had his own opinion and refused to be guided by the agreement -of others. There is nothing a fanatic resents so much as reason, -except ridicule. Instead, I affected to be surprised. - -‘Do you mean that you disapprove of the execution of ----?’ I -demanded, naming a man whose reputation for cruelty and bigotry was -world wide. - -‘The removal of Humbert ought to come first,’ was the answer. - -‘Do you say that deliberately? Have all our comrades made up their -minds, or is it merely your own opinion?’ - -‘It is the judgment of us four,’ said The Bear. ‘That ought to be -enough.’ - -‘We are willing to provide funds for any comrade who will undertake -the mission,’ added Peters. - -‘But not for any other mission, such as one against ----?’ I ventured -to object. - -‘We have not said that. We are ready to consider an application.’ - -The last answer came from the lame watchmaker, who had kept his eyes -fixed on me with a close scrutiny during the whole conversation. It -was evident that this man was more cautious than the other three, -and that he had begun to distrust me. Perhaps he thought I was a -boaster; perhaps his suspicions went deeper. - -‘Well, I am not under anybody’s orders,’ I said, rising to my feet. -‘Show me that I can serve the cause better by Humbert’s removal than -any one else’s, and I will take the mission.’ - -The four let me come away in silence. I had now no doubt whatever -that there was some very strong motive in the background behind all -this talk about the Venice conference, and I sent a fresh wire to -the threatened King--‘_American group absolutely determined on your -death, and offering bribes._’ - -This telegram was treated with the same indifference as its -predecessor. - -Ferretti was naturally more inclined to trust me than were the -others, thanks to my London friend’s recommendation. I was, -therefore, not surprised to receive a call from him the next day, and -to find that he was at last going to show his hand. - -‘It is right, is it not,’ he began, ‘that you are prepared to -undertake the removal of one of our enemies, provided you are -satisfied that you are doing good to the cause?’ - -‘That is all I ask,’ I responded; ‘Humbert or another, what does it -matter to me?’ - -[Illustration: “‘I am not under anybody’s orders,’ I said, rising to -my feet.”] - -‘You don’t consider that the fact that Humbert has taken a leading -part against us marks him out for destruction?’ - -‘No, I don’t; I don’t believe he is any worse than the others.’ - -‘Very well; admitting that, for the sake of argument; if I were to -prove to you that Humbert’s death would benefit the cause specially -in other ways, what would you say?’ - -‘If I believed that, I should most likely consent.’ - -‘Good! That is what I expected. Now you understand that what I am -going to tell you must be in the very greatest confidence.’ - -I nodded. - -‘The removal of Humbert will put funds at our disposal for other -work.’ - -At last I was on the trail. Carefully concealing my excitement -under an appearance of natural curiosity, I inquired: ‘How is that, -comrade?’ - -‘You must not ask too much. I have only got authority to tell you -that it is so. A sum of money will be ours as soon as Humbert is -dead.’ - -‘And you will not tell me how or why?’ - -Ferretti hesitated. - -‘It has been promised us--guaranteed to us, in fact--by one who has -reasons of his own for wanting to see Humbert out of the way.’ - -‘I don’t like the sound of that,’ I objected. ‘It sounds as though we -were being hired as private assassins.’ - -Ferretti’s face fell. - -‘I am afraid I cannot tell you anything more without consulting -others,’ he said slowly. ‘I will swear to you, if you like, that it -is not a case of private revenge. The person behind us has public -reasons for his conduct, though they are not the same as ours.’ - -This statement threw me into a brown study. What public reasons could -any one possibly have for the removal of the King of Italy? The -Garibaldians? No, they were not assassins--besides, they would not -have come to America to get a suitable instrument. There were plenty -nearer at hand. - -‘Listen to me,’ I said at length. ‘When I took a vow to rid the world -of a crowned head at the risk of my own life, I did not undertake to -become a blind tool in the hands of any one else. I owe no obedience -to you or our comrades. I say what I said last night--convince me -that I ought to kill Humbert, and I will. But it is no good if you -can’t trust me. Why should I trust you with my life, when you won’t -trust me with your reasons for wanting this King out of the way?’ - -Ferretti was staggered. - -‘I will tell the others what you say,’ he declared. ‘For my part, I -think your demand is reasonable.’ - -He left me, but did not come back. Days passed, and no further -overture was made to me. On the contrary, the lame Swiss began -to talk to me about the other victims I had pointed out, and to -encourage me to fix on one of them. - -I was able to guess what had happened. The four were looking for a -more docile tool. - -I sent off a third wire: - -‘_I have lost touch with the conspiracy. From this moment I no longer -answer for your life._’ - -This warning was not even shown to the doomed King. - -I now adopted a course which I had put off as long as possible, on -account of the risk involved. I secretly engaged a second lodging at -a distance, where I could disguise myself as I pleased, and began to -shadow the Anarchist leaders. - -It was a dangerous game to play, because such men were accustomed -to find themselves the subject of police surveillance, and would -probably be quick to detect anything of the sort. My only chance of -success lay in the fact that I already possessed so much knowledge of -their movements as to make the task of watching them a comparatively -easy one. - -I had come to the conclusion that the real head of the group was the -crippled Swiss. This man kept a small shop, chiefly for repairs, in -the heart of the Italian quarter. I made up as a Corsican, to account -for any imperfections of accent, and hung about the neighbourhood, -begging. - -Ferretti, Peters, and The Bear were frequent visitors, and the -simpleton Bresci called once or twice, but for some days I saw -nothing that I could fix upon as having a suspicious look. I -remembered, however, that the lame watchmaker had always been missing -from the gatherings at the club on Saturday nights, and I looked -forward to making some discovery when the end of the week arrived. - -I was not disappointed, though I had to wait so long that I almost -gave up hope. Just as the clock struck ten a tall, swarthy figure -brushed right by me, and slipped into the little shop. The moment -after, the lame man came out into the street, and began putting up -the shutters. - -It was necessary to act promptly. I stepped up to the Swiss and -whispered my assumed name in his ear. - -‘Lebrun! You!’ he ejaculated in astonishment. ‘I thought you were one -of the police.’ - -‘It is the other way about,’ I answered. ‘The police have been after -me; that is why I have had to disguise myself. But let us come -inside, I want to talk to you.’ - -As I expected, he tried to prevent me going in. - -‘No, not there. I have some one on business.’ - -‘Business of the cause?’ I demanded. - -‘Yes--no, private business.’ - -‘I will wait in the shop till he is gone,’ I returned, and pushed my -way through the door, the cripple following. - -The tall, dark figure started to its feet in evident alarm as we -entered. I saw a brown hand glide towards the bosom, an action which -told me that I was not dealing with a European. In the dim light -of the little shop I could not fix the stranger’s nationality more -precisely. He did not seem to be an Arab; he was above the grade -of a negro. If I had met him in Algiers I should have called him a -Sudanese, a convenient term for the unknown races of Africa. - -The situation was a complicated one. The watchmaker, it was evident, -did not more than half believe my account of myself; I could not tell -that the stranger really had any connection with the mystery I wanted -to unravel; and he must have been utterly confounded by my intrusion. - -‘Is your friend one of us? Does he know anything about the business -you put before me the other day?’ I asked of the Swiss in Italian. - -Before the Swiss could do more than give me a warning gesture, the -unknown had addressed him in the sort of Italian which forms the -common speech of seamen in the Levant. - -‘Is this the man you thought you could persuade to undertake the -work?’ - -The watchmaker was fairly cornered. - -‘Go inside and I will speak to you,’ he said to the swarthy -outlander; then he added, speaking in quick French to me--‘I must -have some explanation with you before I trust you again.’ - -‘That will not do for me,’ I returned, sticking to my Italian and -trying to render it intelligible to the unknown. ‘You have asked me -to do a dangerous work on behalf of the cause; very well, I am ready -to do it, but first I insist on knowing who is going to provide the -sinews of war. That is fair, it seems to me.’ - -This time the stranger’s tone became peremptory. - -‘Why do not you wish me to speak to this man?’ he asked. - -The shopkeeper scowled at both of us by turns. - -‘Because I don’t know that he is right,’ he muttered. - -‘How do I know that you are right?’ I retorted. ‘It appears you are -going to have a big price for this business, and you want me to shut -my eyes and not ask what becomes of the money.’ - -The Swiss wrung his hands in despair. I believe that he was quite -honest, and that he wished for the money in order to spread his -atrocious principles; while his distrust of me was only too well -founded. - -I addressed myself boldly to the unknown. - -‘I am your man, I believe. Tell me who you are, and why you want this -job carried out, and I will undertake it. As for the money, you may -hand that over to my comrade here, as long as I know how much it is.’ - -This last offer turned the balance. The Swiss himself proposed that -we should come into the back shop and talk things over in confidence. - -When we were all three seated together, it was the watchmaker who -gave me the long-sought explanation in a few words. - -‘This man is an Abyssinian. He has come here on behalf of the Emperor -Menelik.’ - -‘Menelik!’ I exclaimed in astonishment. ‘What has he got to do with -us?’ - -‘Nothing directly; but if you have read the papers you must know that -Humbert was the moving spirit in the Abyssinian war. He made peace -after Adowa, under pressure from the Crown Prince, who told him the -dynasty was in danger. But Menelik believes that the King is secretly -preparing for a fresh attack. He is in league with the British, who -are advancing from the Sudan. The Abyssinians want to clear the -Italians out of their country altogether, and they can never do that -while Humbert is alive. That is how it stands, isn’t it?’ - -This last question was addressed to Menelik’s agent. The Abyssinian -answered by a smile that showed his formidable white teeth. - -‘The King of Italy is the enemy of Abyssinia. The King of Italy must -die. If an Abyssinian tries to kill him, he will be suspected, and -stopped; therefore he must be killed by a European. The Negus has -sent me to find a European who will do this for money. I have been -in Italy and France, and there they told me that it was best for me -to apply to the followers of your religion, which teaches that all -kings ought to be killed. Is it not so? Therefore I come here, to the -headquarters of your sect. If one of you will accept the task, on -that day I pay him in the money of this country one thousand dollars. -On the day I hear that King Humbert is dead I pay you four thousand -dollars. Divide it how you like; that is nothing to me.’ - -Improbable as a fairy tale though all this sounded, I could not -resist the evidence of my own senses, which showed me the Abyssinian -envoy there in the flesh. I knew, of course, that assassination has -always been one of the recognised political methods of Asiatic and -African States, but this alliance between a half-civilised despot -and the extreme revolutionaries of Europe struck me as altogether -without precedent in the history of the world. Certainly my own -experience, fertile as it naturally had been in surprising incidents, -had never brought to light a more singular intrigue than this. - -My position now became an extremely difficult one. I had practically -agreed to accept the commission to assassinate the King of Italy, -but it was not that which troubled me. I foresaw that as soon as -Menelik’s agent realised that he had been played with by me he would -endeavour to find some other and more trustworthy tool. To denounce -him to the police of New York would have been perfectly idle; in -the first place he could buy the police, and in the second place no -American court would punish a ‘political’ conspiracy, unless, indeed, -it were against the United States. - -I contented myself for the moment with formally undertaking the -required murder. The Abyssinian arranged to bring the first -instalment of the blood money to the watchmaker’s house on the -following Saturday night, and we all three parted apparently on the -best of terms. - -The next day I sent off a long telegraphic despatch summarising -the whole situation. The proposal I made was that the Italian -Government should cable me authority and funds to enable me to have -the Abyssinian envoy privately kidnapped, and returned to his own -country, _viâ_ Massowah. - -They had the incredible folly to wire instead to their Minister in -Washington, instructing him to demand the arrest and expulsion of -Menelik’s agent. - -The net result of this ill-considered action was to flood the Italian -quarter of Jersey City for several days with sham detectives, to -cause a thousand or two dollars to pass into the pockets of the -local Tammany, and to compel me to hasten my departure for Europe -on my supposed mission, in order to rebut the suspicions of the -Anarchists--and, in fact, to escape their vengeance. - -The night before my departure there was a little supper at the club, -at which the four were present. No open reference was made to the -object of my journey. But after supper the half-witted Bresci, who -had been one of the party, asked leave to walk home with me. - -‘I wish I were going with you,’ he said suddenly. - -‘I wish I could put you in an asylum, where you would be taken care -of,’ was my thought in answer. I said aloud that I had reasons for -going alone. - -‘I know those reasons,’ the enthusiast declared. ‘Let me come with -you. I am not afraid.’ - -For a moment I hesitated. A king’s life was in the balance, though I -did not know it. - -I made the clever man’s common mistake--I underrated the strength of -the fool. - -‘Take my advice,’ I said to Bresci, ‘leave this work to men like me. -You are not suited for it: you would betray yourself directly.’ - -His face became overcast, and he relapsed into a sullen silence which -lasted till I parted from him at my own door. - -An hour before stepping on board the steamer that was to convey me -to Havre I sent off a final wire: ‘_Am leaving to-day for Europe, -pledged to kill King Humbert._’ - -This bitter shaft of contempt roused even the Italian police into -activity. On landing at the French port I was met by a detective sent -from Rome. - -I took him with me to a hotel, where we discussed the situation in a -private room. - -‘It seems to me that we are all right for the present,’ he urged. ‘As -long as they think you are going to carry out the work they are not -likely to send any one else.’ - -‘Do not be too sure,’ I answered. ‘There is a lame watchmaker over -there who does not quite trust me.’ - -‘What do you propose to do?’ asked the detective. - -‘To shoot King Humbert,’ I replied. - -The man gasped at me in sheer amazement. - -‘I am going to put you to a practical test,’ I explained. ‘I am -going to try and discharge a blank cartridge at the King. If you can -prevent my doing so, I shall hope that his life is safe.’ - -‘But what do you expect us to do? We cannot arrest you.’ - -‘No; that is my point. You know that I am going to kill your King, -and yet the law does not permit you to interfere till you see me put -my finger to the trigger of my revolver.’ - -‘We can stop you at the frontier.’ - -‘Try,’ I said drily. - -He tried. A week later I was in Rome. - -In reality I did not intend to go quite so far as I had threatened. -To do so would have been offensive to his Majesty. What I desired -was to put the police thoroughly on the alert. I hoped to stimulate -them into taking precautions which would be effective against a real -assassin. - -For I knew better than to think that Menelik’s envoy would go away -satisfied with having despatched me on the errand of death. I did -not believe the swarthy figure with the formidable white teeth would -leave New York till he had received some certain assurance of the -success of his murderous plans. - -Before leaving the United States I had arranged with my old -employers, Pinkerton’s, to have a watch kept on all outward-bound -vessels, so that I might receive the earliest information of any -move on the part of the Abyssinian. I had supplied them with a full -description of the man. - -Meanwhile the Italian police did their best, hampered as they were -by the King’s chivalrous disregard of danger, and his dislike of -surveillance. It is not an easy thing to guard a monarch against his -will. - -As soon as I had satisfied myself that my disguise as an Italian -workman was impenetrable, I went northward after the doomed King. -As my train rolled into the station at Turin, I caught a glimpse on -the platform of a white face with long draggled hair and a haunted -expression in the eyes--a face that I had last seen in a Jersey City -slum at midnight, more than a month ago. - -Long before the train stopped I had leapt out of my compartment in -hot pursuit; but Bresci had disappeared. - -I went instantly to the chief police-officer in Turin and gave -information. Detectives were despatched in all directions to search -the city; but it was too late. - -The following morning a telegram was put into my hands before I got -out of bed. It was from Pinkerton’s, and contained these words: ‘_Man -answering description has just booked passage to Liverpool._’ - -This despatch convinced me that the situation was desperate. Coupling -the news with the sight of the evening before, I could not doubt that -the Abyssinian agent expected to hear within the next few hours that -his dreadful end was achieved. - -I dressed in feverish haste and rushed round to the police-office, -only to learn that no arrest had been made, and Bresci was still at -large. - -‘Unless that man is apprehended within the next twenty-four hours, -King Humbert will have ceased to live,’ I told the astonished chief -of police. - -In this extremity I decided to proceed to Monza, see the King myself, -and implore him not to stir abroad until Bresci’s capture was -notified. That afternoon, as I entered the small town of Monza, I was -arrested on suspicion! - -It was in vain that I protested, warned, and threatened. My demand -to be carried before King Humbert was regarded as a proof of guilt. -My disclosure of my identity was suspected as a ruse. I was confined -in a cell while telegrams were being exchanged with my friend the -Italian detective, and with my secretary in Paris. - -Suddenly, as I tramped impatiently up and down within my narrow -bounds, I was aware of a terrible commotion outside. Men ran past the -door of my prison, curses and cries were heard, and there was a sound -of bayonets being fixed. Maddened by the nervous tension, I battered -with my manacled hands against the cell door. - -[Illustration: “‘You are free,’ he said briefly. ‘The right man has -been arrested, too late.’”] - -It was flung open from without, and an armed warder faced me. - -‘You are free,’ he said briefly. ‘The right man has been -arrested--too late.’ - -I sank down on the plank seat and burst into tears. - - - - -VI - -THE PERIL OF NORWAY - - -The readers of my previous revelations will have noticed that I have -constantly been engaged in thwarting the schemes of the cunning -rulers of Russia. This has been to me a labour of love. My father, as -I have said, was a native of Poland, and I have avenged his wrongs on -the Government which drove him forth to exile. - -I have already related how I exposed and defeated the insidious -design concealed under the Peace Rescript of Nicholas II. Hardly -had this audacious intrigue miscarried when Europe was startled to -hear that the Ministers of the Imperial peacemaker had overthrown -the ancient liberties of Finland, in order to swell the Finnish -contingent to the armies of the Tsar. - -This time I admit that I was deceived, like everybody else. The -brutal frankness of the proceeding disarmed suspicion. When Russia -openly declares herself a tyrant, it is difficult to believe she is -dissembling. - -But there was one man in Europe who saw that there was more in the -proceedings against Finland than met the eye. This was a monarch -whose genius and nobility of character would have placed him at the -head of living rulers had he been born to the command of a great -Power instead of a small and distracted State. I need scarcely say -that I refer to his Majesty, King Oscar of Sweden and Norway. - -It was with peculiar satisfaction that I received a confidential -summons from this King, whose fine qualities I had long admired, -and by whom I felt it a distinction to be trusted. I was far from -guessing the real nature of the business on which I was to be -employed. - -As the message did not come to me through the Scandinavian Minister -in Paris, but was a private autograph communication from King Oscar -himself, I was disposed to think his Majesty wanted me to adjust some -family affair. It is well known that the Bernadottes are not more -free from such anxieties than other royal houses. - -On my arrival at the beautiful capital of Sweden, I put up at the -Hotel Rydberg, entering myself as the Baron de Neuville, on tour. -The same evening I was called upon by one of the King’s intimate -friends, the Count Söderhielm, who took me across to the Palace, and -introduced me into King Oscar’s private cabinet. - -I noticed as we crossed the Place Gustavus Adolphus that the flag -was not hoisted on the Palace. His Majesty was supposed to be at -Drottningholm, from which place he had come secretly in a small -launch for the purpose of our interview. - -As soon as Count Söderhielm had presented me to his Majesty, he -retired to the antechamber, leaving us together. - -‘Perhaps you are wondering what I have sent for you to do?’ King -Oscar began. - -‘At least, I do not doubt that any service on which your Majesty -employs me will be an honourable one,’ I answered respectfully. - -The King smiled. - -‘I have not sent for you to pay me compliments,’ he said rebukingly. -‘Let me first ask if it is true that you are no friend to the Russian -Government?’ - -I looked at the King in some surprise. - -‘It is better for me to tell you, sire, that I do not allow my -private feelings to enter into my work. The Russian Government has -employed me before now, and may do so again; in which case I should -serve it as loyally as I hope to do your Majesty.’ - -The King did not seem ill-pleased by this frankness. - -‘I respect you for that answer,’ he said graciously. ‘I ought not to -have asked you for your personal confidence.’ - -‘I am a Pole by my father’s side, sire,’ I threw in. - -King Oscar thanked me for this hint by a nod. - -‘Let us come to business. You have taken note, I expect, of this -determination to Russianise Finland?’ - -I bowed, restraining my curiosity at this unexpected opening. - -‘You know that Finland is an ancient province of the Swedish Crown, -and that when it was united to Russia, after the fall of Napoleon, my -ancestor, the then Crown Prince Bernadotte, was authorised to take -Norway as a compensation?’ - -‘I do, sire.’ - -‘Perhaps you know also that the exchange has been a disastrous one -for Sweden. The Finns were contented and happy under our rule, while -the Norwegians have done nothing but quarrel with the Swedes for a -century.’ - -‘I have heard something of this,’ I responded. - -‘Now as long as Finland held the position of a semi-independent -State, over which the Tsar ruled as Grand Duke of Finland, it was -possible for us to regard her as a buffer between us and Russia. We -had every reason to hope that if the Russians wished to attack us, -they would have to subdue Finland first.’ - -‘I was hardly aware of that, sire.’ - -‘It is the fact. The Finnish civilisation is really Swedish, our -language is spoken there, and the Swedish element in the population -looks on Sweden as its real home. Very good. That being so, the -Russians have decided to conquer Finland in time of peace, under the -cloak of administrative measures.’ - -‘Your Majesty means that this attack on Finland is really an attack -on Sweden and Norway?’ - -‘It is the first step towards an attack on Sweden,’ King Oscar -answered, with significance. ‘The question of Norway is the matter -about which I have sent for you.’ - -I gazed at the King in astonishment. - -‘I am the King of Norway as well as of Sweden,’ his Majesty pursued, -‘and you must not think I favour one country more than the other. But -I might as well be King at the same time of France and Germany, for -any real harmony there is between the two countries. The Norwegians -are working for absolute separation; the Swedes will grant them -everything except the right to make war on Sweden; and yet they -cannot agree.’ - -‘You fear, sire, that the Norwegians will fight in order to secure -their independence.’ - -‘I fear it is rather the other way about,’ the King answered -sorrowfully. ‘They aim at independence in order to be able to fight. -You see me in the position of a father whose two children are ready -to rush at one another’s throats, and who cannot show kindness to -one without incurring the hatred of the other. This situation has -poisoned the peace of mind of every sovereign of Scandinavia for a -hundred years. It broke my grandfather’s heart.’ - -I listened to this sad confession with respectful sympathy. King -Oscar proceeded-- - -‘Let me tell you some more. Before the last Russo-Turkish war, the -geography of the Balkans had been made for a year the special study -of the Military School in Petersburg. Last month the geography of -Scandinavia was given a similar precedence. That is not all. A swarm -of Russian officers, disguised as woodcutters, have been coming over -the northern frontier, and making their way down through Sweden, -surveying the country as they go.’ - -‘Surely they can be arrested as spies!’ - -‘We dare not,’ was the response. ‘That would be forcing Russia’s -hand. We can only watch, and await developments.’ - -‘The Germans ought to know of this,’ I ventured to remark. - -‘The Germans are more afraid of Russia than we are,’ the King -answered. ‘Germany is no longer a first-class Power. There are in -fact only four Powers of the first magnitude to-day, Great Britain, -Russia, the United States, and China. The two English Powers together -could dictate to the world, but they are divided by the childish -American jealousy. China is still asleep. Consequently all the other -Powers of Europe are little more than vassals of the Tsar. France -has openly placed herself under his protection. Austria has become -Russia’s junior partner in the Balkans. The independence of Germany -is only nominal; the Emperor takes his time from Petersburg. No other -country counts.’ - -It was the first time that I had heard the situation summed up with -such pitiless plainness. - -‘You consider, then, that Russia is actually about to draw the -sword?’ I asked. - -‘No, she will leave us to do that. Russia has discovered that her -conquests advance better under the cloak of peace. She means to -take Norway under cover of a declaration in favour of Norwegian -independence.’ - -‘But the Norwegians--are they mad enough to become parties to that? -Do they want to exchange King Log for King Stork?’ - -‘Go and see,’ was King Oscar’s reply. - -I quitted his Majesty’s presence, and returned to my hotel, deeply -disturbed by what I had heard. I could not suppose that the most -sagacious sovereign in Europe was indulging in idle fears. Yet it -was hard to believe that the inhabitants of a free, self-governing -country would voluntarily exchange their condition for servitude to -the Asiatic despotism which had just laid Finland prostrate at their -door. - -Three days afterwards I arrived in Christiania. I had made careful -preparations for the task before me. I assumed the character of -a Russian spy, as the least likely to provoke suspicion of the -quarter from which I really came. And I had disguised my person as -effectively as I knew how, lest I should meet a real agent of the -Tsar’s Government, who might detect A---- V---- beneath the outward -semblance of Alexander Volkuski. - -The pains I had taken were well rewarded. In the hotel in which I put -up I found staying a man who passed as a Finnish officer, of Swedish -nationality, but whom I immediately recognised as Count Marloff, the -confidential right-hand man of M. de Witte himself. It is true the -Russian was disguised, and the disguise was a very good one, but -by an almost incredible oversight he had ventured to assume that a -disguise which had already done duty once might safely be used again. - -It was seven years before, in Teheran, that I had seen that reddish -wig and noted that peculiar limp, but if Count Marloff had offered -me his card I could not have been more sure of his identity. Such -mistakes may be pardonable in a mere detective, but they are fatal in -our profession. - -My tactics were soon decided on. I knew that the attention of -‘Colonel Sigersen’ would be quickly attracted to a Russian staying in -Christiania, and I have generally found the boldest game to be the -most successful. - -I seized the first opportunity of the Count’s being seated alone in -the smoking-room of the hotel, to go up to him boldly. - -‘How do you do, Count?’ I said in Russian. ‘Or perhaps you will wish -me to say “Colonel”?’ - -Marloff started, as well he might, and stared hard into my face. - -‘My name is Colonel Sigersen,’ he said forbiddingly. ‘Have I had the -pleasure of meeting you before?’ - -This was the opening I wanted. I drew back disdainfully. - -‘I must apologise,’ I said, with irony; ‘I have not had the honour of -meeting you, _Colonel Sigersen_. Pray do not think I wish to intrude -on you.’ - -Marloff saw his mistake. In the secret service of Russia nothing -is more common than for two different agents to be employed -independently of each other, and even as spies upon each other. When -that happens, if the two men are wise, they strike up a private -alliance, and compare notes at their employers’ expense. When they -keep each other at arm’s length, each has it in his power to cause -annoyance to the other. - -Marloff was now in the position of having refused my overture towards -friendship, without knowing who I was. This left me free to watch -him, without rendering any explanations. He was consequently furious -with himself. - -The fact is the man was a mere amateur, as one who drops into a -profession from above generally is. De Witte had taken him out of a -cavalry regiment, and made a diplomatist of him; but when it came to -secret service work he was a child in the hands of a man like myself. - -I saw the pretended Colonel get up and limp out of the room, no doubt -to send a cipher despatch to the Minister, complaining of my arrival. -I went to the manager of the hotel, introduced myself as a Russian -police agent on the track of a great rouble forgery, and wormed out -of him a mass of particulars with regard to Sigersen’s movements. - -I gathered that he had been in Christiania about a month, having -toured through Norway first as far north as Trondhjem. He had -made numerous friends in the Norwegian capital, including several -prominent members of the Storthing, as they call their parliament. -But his chosen intimate appeared to be a judge named ----, who was -regarded as a guiding spirit of the party most strongly hostile to -the Swedish connection. - -It was Judge ---- who had prompted the erection of a fortress on the -Swedish-Norwegian frontier, guarding the approach to Christiania. -The same warlike functionary had decided on the judicial bench that -no native of Sweden could exercise the rights of a citizen in Norway -until he had taken out letters of naturalisation. In short, this -judge had carefully taught his countrymen to treat the Swedes as -Englishmen were treated by the Boers in the days of the Transvaal -Republic. - -All this was nothing more than I had been prepared for by King Oscar. -The task now before me was to ascertain if possible what was the -nature of the understanding between Judge ---- and the agent of the -Russian Government. - -I asked the hotel manager-- - -‘How does Colonel Sigersen pay your bill?’ - -‘By cheque,’ was the ready answer. ‘By cheque on the Bergen and -Christiania Bank.’ - -‘Is it usual for foreign visitors to have a banking account open in -Christiania?’ I inquired, keeping up the part of a detective. - -The manager admitted it was not. Evidently, now I had drawn his -attention to the point, it struck him as suspicious. I left him, -feeling that I had secured an ally in my watch on Marloff, and made -my way to the offices of the bank. - -The director of this institution received me with every courtesy. -Bankers are too often victimised for them to regard the police with -any feeling but gratitude. The tale I brought was received with open -ears. - -‘I have reason to think that an account has been opened with you for -purposes of fraud. If I am right, the swindlers have endeavoured to -gain your confidence at the outset by a large credit. This credit has -been opened in the name of Colonel Sigersen, a pretended Finlander.’ - -The manager was visibly alarmed. - -‘A gentleman of that name has opened an account with us, certainly,’ -he answered cautiously. ‘But he brought the very best introductions. -In fact I could not have asked for better.’ - -‘Have you any objection to tell me the character of those -introductions?’ - -‘I don’t mind telling you that one was from a well-known citizen, a -man in a very responsible position.’ - -‘In short, Judge ----?’ - -The manager started. - -‘How did you know that?’ he demanded. - -‘I have been on Colonel Sigersen’s track for a long time,’ I answered -evasively. ‘I venture to think that if you make inquiries, you will -find that his Honour, Judge ---- knows very little about him really, -and nothing at all about his financial standing.’ - -‘I will communicate with his Honour, and let you know the result.’ - -‘Do so, by all means. In the meanwhile, perhaps, you may be willing -to tell me how this man’s credit is supplied?’ - -The manager hesitated. - -‘I hardly know whether I ought to betray his affairs until I have -something more to go upon.’ - -‘Perhaps you will let me ask you if Sigersen has yet made a large -payment in rouble notes?’ - -‘I can answer that--no.’ - -‘Then I think you may be safe for the present,’ I said. ‘When he -does, I advise you to pass them on to your Russian correspondents as -quickly as possible.’ - -This shot told. The manager became very uneasy. By degrees I worked -on his fears till he invited me to examine his ledger. I did so, and -found that Marloff had brought a heavy credit from a Petersburg bank, -and, what was more to my purpose, had drawn several heavy cheques to -the order of Judge ----. - -‘So far you seem to be on the safe side,’ I commented as I finished -my inspection. ‘But I have two pieces of advice to give you. On no -account let this man overdraw his ascertained credit, and do not -honour any cheques drawn against rouble notes till you hear from me -again.’ - -[Illustration: “‘Let me see your warrant,’ I said.”] - -The manager thanked me, and allowed me to depart. - -I had now to consider the best way in which to approach the judge, -who was not likely to prove easily gullible, as it was fairly certain -that Marloff and he were in each other’s confidence. - -But I had underrated the Russian’s resources. On re-entering my hotel -I was accosted by a man in the uniform of the Norwegian police, who -informed me that he held a warrant for my arrest. - -‘On what charge?’ I demanded, as soon as I had recovered from my -first surprise. - -‘On a charge of conspiracy against the Government of Norway,’ was the -answer. - -‘I arrived in Norway only yesterday,’ I exclaimed. - -‘All that you can tell to the judge,’ retorted the police officer. - -‘Let me see your warrant,’ I said. - -The man produced the paper, while the hotel manager, who had arrived -on the scene, looked on astonished, as he well might. - -The warrant bore the signature of Judge ----. - -‘Take me to the judge instantly, if you will be so good,’ I said. - -‘I am going to,’ the officer returned. - -He made no attempt to secure me, probably having had his -instructions. We walked together to the judge’s house; he appeared -to combine the functions of a judge and committing magistrate; and -I was conducted into a room evidently used for the examination of -prisoners. - -Judge ---- entered immediately, and we exchanged scrutinising -glances. The leader of the anti-Swedish party was a young man, still -on the right side of forty, with a very determined countenance, and -a look about which there was nothing furtive or embarrassed. It was -not an intellectual face. I put the man down as a strong-willed, -ambitious intriguer, with courage, but not very much disinterested -patriotism. - -‘What is the meaning of this preposterous arrest?’ I demanded, with -warmth. - -‘This is an affair of State; I will examine the accused in private,’ -the judge announced, not answering me directly. - -As soon as the room was cleared, he turned to me. - -‘Who are you?’ was his first question. - -‘I am a Russian,’ I answered. - -‘I know that. What is your business here?’ - -I breathed again. I now knew that Marloff had failed to guess my -identity. - -‘I have come here on the track of certain forgers,’ I began, and went -on to tell the story I had given to the hotel manager and the banker. - -Judge ---- listened incredulously. - -‘I do not believe a word you have said,’ he declared. ‘Show me your -papers.’ - -I produced the passport and credentials from the Russian police with -which I had been careful to provide myself. They were, of course, -forged. - -‘I will retain these and ascertain if they are genuine,’ the judge -observed. - -‘Your Honour means that you will submit them to the suspected man,’ I -returned boldly. - -‘How dare you say that? How dare you call’--he hesitated for a -second--‘Colonel Sigersen a suspected man? You know perfectly well -who he is.’ - -‘I know him to be the most skilful forger in Russia,’ I answered, not -quite untruthfully. - -Judge ---- glared at me as if he would like to have struck me. - -‘What nonsense! You know his real name.’ - -‘What difference does that make, your Honour?’ - -‘You know he is a man in high position, in the confidence of his -Government.’ - -‘I know he was, till recently. I have no doubt he is capable of -pretending he is still.’ - -The judge was plainly disconcerted by the line I was taking. He had -hoped, no doubt, that I should meet him half way. - -‘On your arrival here you recognised the Count, and greeted him. He -rebuffed you, as he had a perfect right to do, and denounced you to -me as a spy. It is too late for you to turn round and pretend that he -is a criminal. It is you who are on your defence, not he.’ - -‘Your Honour has been imposed upon. But it is of no consequence. Tell -me what I am charged with, and I will defend myself.’ - -‘You are a spy.’ - -‘In a sense that is true. I am a detective.’ - -‘By whom are you employed?’ - -‘Your Honour has my papers.’ - -The judge bit his lip. He clearly did not know how to proceed. I, of -course, could see that it was not his game to bring me to a public -trial. - -‘It seems to me, sir, that it is a mistake for us to quarrel,’ I -said after giving him a minute for reflection. ‘If I have annoyed -Count Marloff by recognising him, that is not an offence against the -law of Norway, I presume. On the other hand, if I am right in my -conjectures, or rather my _instructions_, the Count himself should be -the last man to provoke a public inquiry into his business here. Your -Honour knows the law better than I, but I should have thought there -might be something in the business transacted between you and the -Count which would not look well----’ - -He interrupted me. - -‘I want to know why you are here. If you are a friend, of course -there is no need to quarrel. If not’--he shrugged his shoulders. - -‘I came as a friend,’ I replied. ‘I came prepared to co-operate with -you, to assist you, in fact. But I must first know how you stand with -regard to Marloff. Is he your personal friend, or are the relations -between you exclusively political?’ - -‘I have no personal feeling for him,’ was the guarded answer. - -‘Very good. In that case your Honour shall see my real credentials. -I must tell you frankly that Count Marloff has ceased to enjoy the -implicit confidence of his and my Government.’ - -I put my hand into an inner pocket, and produced a slip of paper in -the forged handwriting of the Russian Foreign Minister. - -‘Does your Honour recognise that writing?’ I asked, with a confident -air. - -Judge ---- was completely deceived. He glanced at the few lines, -which were in French, with an air of the greatest respect. Then he -looked at me. - -‘I must apologise, Prince ----’ he began, when I raised a warning -finger. - -‘Hush! Not my real name, please.’ - -I took back the paper with an air as if my life depended on its -preservation, and restored it to my pocket. - -‘I am exceedingly sorry to have had to show you this,’ I said -gravely. ‘I have, in fact, exceeded my instructions, which were -simply to watch Count Marloff and report on the progress he was -making. His own violent action has forced me to go further than I -wished. I am sorry to say it confirms the suspicion entertained -in the Foreign Office that he is playing a double game. He is a -_protégé_ of M. de Witte’s, but M. de Witte is not infallible. - -‘Now I am afraid I must ask your Honour to take me into your -confidence. I trust you have not put yourself into Marloff’s power? I -know that he has paid you considerable sums.’ - -Judge ---- looked decidedly nervous. - -‘I have given him nothing in writing, I believe,’ he answered, -glancing at the same time at an iron safe let into the wall of the -room. - -‘So far, so good. It is writing that counts in these affairs. Have -you any objection to my seeing the memoranda you have made of your -conversations with him?’ - -The judge stared at me as if I had been a wizard. - -‘I don’t know what makes you think I have taken any memoranda,’ he -protested. - -‘Just as you please, sir,’ I said drily. ‘I should have been -gratified if you had so far confided in me as to let me glance inside -that safe. But you are right to be cautious.’ - -[Illustration: “He bent forward to listen, and as he did so I -launched my clenched fist at his right temple with my full force.”] - -His eyes turned once more in the direction of the safe, in spite -of himself. I saw a struggle going on in his mind. - -‘There is no necessity for you to decide hastily,’ I said in my -blandest tones. ‘I am as anxious as you are that you should have -every possible security. If you are so far satisfied as to release me -from arrest, we can sit down and talk over things quietly.’ - -This hint had the desired effect. The judge called in the policeman, -and informed him that his services were no longer required. - -As soon as I heard the outer door of the building clang to on the -departing officer, I drew nearer the judge, lowering my voice to a -confidential whisper, as I said-- - -‘Now you shall have the truth.’ - -He bent forward to listen, and as he did so I launched my clenched -fist at his right temple with my full force, and he dropped senseless -without so much as a sigh. - -The moment I was satisfied that he was unconscious I stepped to the -door and locked it. Then I rifled his pocket of his bunch of keys, -picked out the right one, and opened the safe, all without drawing -breath. - -The contents of the safe were chiefly official law papers, which I -did not waste time over. But in a narrow tray at the top I found -something that interested me more. - -It was nothing less than a draft treaty--a treaty to be made between -the Norwegian Ministry, acting without the knowledge of their King, -and the Imperial Government of Russia! - -I did not stay to read the document through. After a hasty look to -make sure I was leaving nothing else of importance behind, I locked -the safe, drew off its key from the bunch, and dropped the other keys -on the floor beside the stunned man, slipped quietly out of the room -and out of the house. - -Instead of returning to my hotel, I made my way down to the -harbour--I did not dare to risk trying to get a train. In the harbour -I hired a small fishing-boat with a sail, and put straight out to -sea. It was on the tossing waters of the Cattegat by moonlight that -I took in the provisions of the extraordinary compact between the -Norwegian conspirators and their Imperial ally. - -The document had been carefully drawn up, evidently with an eye to -the public opinion of Europe, which would naturally be scandalised -by an alliance between the great Slave despotism and a Teutonic -commonwealth. - -The treaty began by reciting that the Union between Sweden and Norway -had been forced on the Norwegians against their will, by the Swedes -aided by Russia’s authority. It went on to state that the Union had -failed to benefit either country, and that Russia had consented to -undo her past injury to Norway by helping her to annul the bond. - -Then followed the particulars of the aid to be rendered. Norway -pledged herself not to make any open move till the signal was given -from Petersburg, which was to be as soon as Finland had settled -down into the condition of a Russian province. In the meantime the -Norwegians were to strengthen themselves in every possible way, and -to keep up a steady pressure of agitation against Sweden. - -As soon as all was ready, the Norwegian Storthing was to meet in -secret session and proclaim Norway a free and independent Republic, -under the protection of the Tsar, and mass her troops on the -frontier. Two Russian Army Corps were to be ready in Finland, on the -pretext of manœuvres, and these were to be hurled across the frontier -to the north of the Gulf of Bothnia. At the same time the Russian -fleet was to cross the Baltic, occupy the island of Gothland, and -blockade Stockholm and the Swedish ports. - -All these measures were to be taken merely as precautions. If the -Swedes accepted the inevitable, the Russians were to retire again. If -the Swedes took up arms, war was to be declared, and Russia was to -annex Gothland to her Empire, the Norwegians receiving territory in -the north. - -And what was the price which the Tsar was to receive for this mighty -demonstration? It was not a nominal one. The Norwegian Republic bound -itself to grant to his Imperial Majesty a lease for twenty-five -years--that is to say, for ever--of a warm-water port on the Atlantic -Ocean, to be used as a depôt and coaling station for the Russian -Fleet. - -It was the dream of six generations of Muscovite statesmen realised -at last. Russia, with one foot on the Atlantic and another on the -Pacific, would dominate the Old World. - -All that night the fishing-boat carried me along in the track of -the Baltic steamers. At dawn I boarded an English packet going into -Gothenburg, and thirty-six hours later I stood again in King Oscar’s -cabinet, and placed the treaty in his hands. - -I watched the brave monarch read it through from beginning to end -without one manifestation of dismay or even of indignation. - -‘My poor subjects!’ was his sole remark as he raised his eyes at -the end. ‘They little know the fate they are preparing for their -children.’ - -I asked if his Majesty had any further instructions for me. To my -surprise he answered, ‘Yes.’ - -[Illustration: “I watched the brave monarch read it through from -beginning to end without one manifestation of dismay.”] - -‘There is only one quarter to which I can look for aid,’ he said, -‘and that is England. Germany is a broken reed. Go to England, take -this document with you, show it to the principal members of the -Government, telling them how it came into your hands, and ask them -if they wish to see a Russian Cherbourg within twelve hours of the -Scottish coast. If they remain indifferent, I can do nothing more.’ - -‘The English Press?’ I suggested doubtfully. - -‘The Norwegians have captured it, I fear,’ objected his Majesty. -‘Norway is the playground of the British tourist; and, besides, the -English consider themselves half Norwegian by race. No, popular -sentiment in Great Britain is on the side of Norway.’ - -‘Nevertheless, sire, if thoughtful Englishmen could be made to -realise that, for the sake of pique--for a mere whim--the Norwegians -were about to place the keys of the Atlantic in the hands of -Britain’s most formidable foe, they might make their influence felt.’ - -‘Do what you think best, M. V----,’ the King said wearily. ‘I am -getting an old man, and I wish for peace.’ - -I have ventured to take his Majesty at his word. - - - - -VII - -THE RUSE OF THE DOWAGER EMPRESS - - -Some two or three years back--that is, shortly before the great -Boxer rising in China--the careless Parisians were amused to hear of -the existence in their midst of an association styling itself the -_Company of the Joyous Peach Blossom_. - -This body professed to be a literary guild or brotherhood formed -for the purpose of studying the Chinese poets, and transplanting -some of the poetical flowers of the East into the garden of Western -literature. All this sounded a trifle fantastic, and Paris, -accustomed to the caprices of its youthful literary coteries, -shrugged its shoulders and asked with a smile whether the guild -possessed more than two members in all, or whether it were not a pure -myth, and the _Company of the Joyous Peach Blossom_ a device of some -budding poet, anxious to seek notoriety. - -The announcement of the guild’s existence struck me in a different -light. Having made a profound study for many years of secret -societies, past and present, I had grasped the fact that China is -the one land in which such societies are truly formidable, all the -most famous secret societies of Europe being mere trifles compared -with the terrible conspiracies which honeycomb the Heavenly Kingdom. - -I had learned, moreover, that the most powerful and reckless of these -Chinese societies assumed the most innocent and poetical names, -as, for example, the dreaded brotherhood of the _Waterlily_, which -deluged Southern China in blood forty years ago. - -Therefore, while the French police, usually so shrewd in dealing with -secret political organisations, did not deem the _Company of the -Joyous Peach Blossom_ worth a moment’s consideration, I set to work -to find out all I could about it. - -I was not long in discovering that the guild was more than the -eccentric imagination of a Quartier Latin poet. To begin with, I -found that similar societies, bearing names of an equally fantastic -nature, had simultaneously come into existence in London, Berlin, New -York, and Chicago, and that all these bodies were in correspondence -with one another. - -I found, further, that the members of the Parisian society were -in communication with a retired French diplomatist of singular -character, a man who had returned from a ten years’ sojourn in Pekin, -steeped to the lips in Chinese ideas, and a professed follower of -Khung the Master, or Confucius, as he is called in the West. - -I ascertained that the guild had its headquarters in the studio of -a rising artist of the Mystic school, that it held meetings from -time to time, of which minutes were kept, and in the record of its -proceedings there appeared references to certain Chinese spirits of -the underworld, and entries which, in veiled language, hinted at -rites having been practised of a nature which could only be described -as sorcery. - -I had no very definite object in acquiring this information, but I -was led on by a vague idea that it might be useful to me at some -future time. During the storm of indignation aroused in Europe by the -Boxer massacres, nothing more was heard of the _Company of the Joyous -Peach Blossom_, which seemed to have sunk out of existence. I had -ceased to think about it, when one day, shortly after the conclusion -of the peace negotiations, my secretary came in to ask me if I would -receive a gentleman whose card he handed to me. - -I took the card, and read on it the name of M. Caramel-Bignaud. -M. Bignaud was a young poet of distinction, whose verses, stamped -with a delicate aloofness of their own, had attracted the attention -of connoisseurs in the columns of _Gil Blas_. To me he possessed -an interest of a different kind, for I had last read his name as -president at the meetings of the _Company of the Joyous Peach -Blossom_. - -‘I will see this gentleman,’ I told my assistant. - -Partly surprised, partly gratified, by this proof that I had rightly -gauged the importance of the guild, I waited with keen curiosity to -hear what M. Bignaud had come to say to me. - -The poet entered and took the chair I pointed out to him without a -word. Then, leaning back negligently and fixing his dark, sleepy eyes -on mine, he began-- - -‘I have come to ask you, M. V----, if you are willing to undertake a -long journey--a very long journey--without receiving any information -as to the business which awaits you at the end.’ - -‘But that is easily answered,’ I said. ‘Provided I am sufficiently -well paid for my time and trouble, it makes no difference to me where -I go, or whether there is anything for me to do when I get there. -It must be always understood that I am at liberty to refuse this -business, if I choose, without assigning any reason, and that my -refusal will make no difference to my charge for the journey itself.’ - -‘Your conditions are perfectly satisfactory,’ M. Bignaud declared. -‘Whatever sum you require shall be paid to you in advance. How soon -will you be able to start?’ - -I reflected for an instant. - -‘If you wanted me to go to any place in Europe or America I should -have said immediately. As you are going to send me to China I must -have six hours to get ready.’ - -The poet’s sleepy gaze changed into one of astonishment. - -‘But have I said anything about China?’ he demanded, evidently in -some dismay. - -‘You have said nothing. I am accustomed to draw inferences in my -work, and there is no time to lose if I am to start as soon as I have -said.’ - -‘The affair is not so pressing,’ the poet remarked with a smile. -‘The hurry and flurry of the West are not known in that delightful -country. It will be quite soon enough if you start to-morrow, or the -day after.’ - -‘So much the better. Am I to go to Pekin or Sing-fu?’ - -‘To Sing-fu.’ M. Bignaud’s tone betrayed a mild surprise at my -guess. ‘It is unnecessary, I suppose, to observe that the mission is -confidential?’ - -That is the sort of remark which always irritates me. - -‘I am a confidential agent,’ I retorted curtly. ‘To whom am I to -report myself?’ - -M. Bignaud leant forward impressively. - -‘To the Dowager Empress!’ - -I received this announcement without manifesting any emotion. - -‘Am I to take any credentials?’ - -The president of the _Company of the Joyous Peach Blossom_ unbuttoned -his coat, and drew from the breast-pocket a small parcel wrapped in -yellow silk. Unwinding the silk, fold by fold, with reverent care, -he displayed to view a square tablet of translucent stone, of a -colour like that of an olive tree seen at a distance with the light -upon it. It was a piece of jade, a stone whose beauty is not yet -appreciated in Europe, but which the Chinese estimate far above onyx -or mother-o’-pearl or chalcedony. - -Taking the tablet from his hand, I perceived that it was engraved -with the figure of a dragon, whose extended claws each showed five -talons. - -‘This is an Imperial talisman,’ I observed. - -‘It is a passport,’ the other responded. ‘The sight of that tablet -will gain you admittance to the presence of her Imperial Majesty.’ He -sighed as he added: ‘You are to be envied, monsieur.’ - -‘That remains to be seen.’ I proceeded to fix the amount of my -remuneration and expenses, which M. Bignaud paid without demur. - -As he was rising to go he could not resist asking-- - -‘Have you any objection to tell me what it was that led you to guess -that your journey would be to China?’ - -‘It was more than a guess, monsieur, since I knew I had the honour to -receive the chief of the _Company of the Joyous Peach Blossom_.’ - -I almost regretted my openness when I saw the effect which this -confession produced on the poet. He turned pale, stammered once or -twice as though unable to speak, and finally turned his back without -a word, and rushed from the room. - -It would be tedious to recount the particulars of my journey across -a hemisphere to interview the extraordinary woman who had revived in -our own day the fabled majesty of Semiramis. - -I reflected that it was not a little singular that, in an age when -the women of the Western world were clamouring for opportunities -to play a greater part in life, this almond-eyed daughter of the -Manchus had cast ridicule upon their agitation by proving that it -was possible for a woman, born in the most conservative society of -the globe, to achieve the supreme direction of five hundred millions -of human beings, and to make sport of the statesmen of Europe and -America. - -[Illustration: “Finally he turned his back without a word, and rushed -from the room.”] - -To reach Pekin was an easy matter, but my difficulties began when I -embarked on the dangerous enterprise of travelling into the interior -of the empire, through provinces seething with hatred of the foreign -devil. In spite of the magic influence of my sacred tablet, I found -it prudent to disguise my Western extraction under the official -robes of a mandarin of the fourth class. Thus attired I travelled in -security and comfort, everywhere received with the honours due to a -high official honoured with a summons to the Court of Heaven. - -As I approached Sing-fu I left the disturbed area behind me. The -inhabitants of this inland region did not appear to have heard of -the troubles in Pekin or the arrival of the German Michael with his -mailed fist to exact redress for the murder of his Ambassador. They -understood merely that the Son of Heaven had come among them for -repose after the labour of chastising certain barbarian pirates who -had been infesting the sea-coast. - -It was given out by my attendants that I had come to report the -successful execution of his Majesty’s sentence on the ruffians; and -if I had really left the heads of the German Emperor, the Tsar of -Russia, and President Roosevelt grinning on spikes over the gates of -Pekin, my reception could not have been more cordial. - -I found the Chinese court encamped in a sort of military fashion, in -charming scenery, at the foot of a ridge of low hills, amid groves -of fruit trees watered by a delightful stream. The tents of ten -thousand guards and attendants clustered round the stately pavilions -of the great mandarins, adorned with flags emblematic of their rank; -and in the centre the great Imperial Dragon Standard floated over a -fairy-like palace whose lacquered wood and silken curtains concealed -the sacred person of the Mother of the Sun and Moon. - -The disgraced Emperor, whose fate was still a mystery to his -subjects, was closely imprisoned in one wing of the Imperial quarters. - -It was now that I realised the full significance of the jade tablet -sent to me by the hands of the student of Chinese literature. The -nearer I penetrated to my august client, the more awe this symbol -seemed to excite, till the attendants who guarded the antechamber -actually fell on their knees at the sight of it, and refused to rise -till I had replaced it in its silken veils. - -Impressed, in spite of myself, by this ceremonial homage to a mere -token, I felt a real sentiment of awe as I stood at last in the -presence of the being whom countless millions of men worship as -divine. - -Slight, dark-haired, and ivory-pale, the Emperor-maker received me -seated in a simple chair of bamboo. I was not required to perform -the _kowtow_, my audience being a strictly private one. I learned -afterwards, moreover, that a hurried decree of the Board of Rites had -raised my grandfather to the rank of a marquis, in order to qualify -me for a personal interview with her Majesty. - -The conversation was carried on in French, through an interpreter, -himself of such high rank that he could not have spoken to me -directly but for the recent ennobling of my ancestry. - -‘Her Imperial Majesty has deigned to express a hope that you are not -fatigued by your journey.’ - -‘It is impossible to be conscious of fatigue in her Majesty’s -presence,’ I returned with a deep bow. - -By the slight smile that parted the thin, terrible lips of the -Empress, I acquired the certainty that her Majesty perfectly -understood everything that was being said. - -No doubt the interpreter was equally aware of this circumstance, for -he assumed an expression of courtly dismay. - -‘I dare not let the Mother of the Emperor know that you have presumed -to offer her a compliment,’ he said rebukingly. ‘I will tell her -Majesty that you await her Imperial commands.’ - -After a short interchange in Chinese, he turned to me again. - -‘I am commanded to tell you that one of the barbarian chiefs who have -made a disturbance in the capital of the Empire has made a demand, as -the price of his departure, which is too insolent to be treated as -anything but a display of the ignorant vanity of a savage. The chief -I speak of exercises some authority among those of the Western devils -who call themselves Dutch or Teutons.’ - -‘You mean the German Emperor?’ I said incautiously. - -The interpreter put on a look of horror, as at some unheard-of -blasphemy. - -‘Hush, I implore you. You forget the Sacred Presence. There is only -one Emperor--he whom her Majesty permits to execute her will over -the black-haired people. The vain assumption of Imperial titles by -these foreign bandits is deeply offensive to the Court of Heaven. You -understand? All such upstarts exist merely by the tolerance of her -Majesty. We will speak of this person as the Viceroy of the German -Province.’ - -I could scarcely resist a smile as I bowed apologetically. I imagined -myself repeating this conversation to Wilhelm II., a ruler not -inclined to take too low an estimate of his own consequence. - -‘This rebellious Viceroy,’ the Chinese courtier proceeded, ‘has had -the unheard-of arrogance to require that a Prince of the Manchu -dynasty shall travel to his unknown province to express regret for -the death of its envoy at the Imperial Court.’ - -This announcement did not come to me as news. In passing through -Pekin I had learned that one of the conditions of peace was that a -Chinese Prince should go to Berlin to tender the Imperial apologies -to the Kaiser for the murder of the German Ambassador during the -Boxer rising. - -The interpreter went on-- - -‘You may be able to understand faintly how such a proposal must -strike the Imperial ears, by imagining the case of a negro king in -the heart of Africa requiring Queen Victoria to send one of her sons -to prostrate himself in his kraal, because some accident had happened -to one of his slaves in London.’ - -I listened in silence to this illustration, which showed me that -the Dowager Empress was pretty well acquainted with the political -distinctions prevailing among those whom she professed to regard as -savages beneath her notice. - -‘It is, of course, impossible,’ the courtly interpreter went on, ‘for -the Brother of the Sun and Moon to submit to this degradation, even -if it were safe to expose one of the Imperial House to the dangerous -magical arts of the West. It is rumoured that you have diabolical -contrivances called kodaks; now it is evident that if one of the Race -of Heaven were kodaked, the Sun himself might avenge such an insult -by refusing to shine upon the earth.’ - -He said all this with a perfectly serious air. But from the -expression on the face of the Empress I fancied her Majesty was a -little wearied of this fulsome strain. - -I ventured to bring him to the point. - -‘Will you tell me what her Imperial Majesty desires me to do?’ - -‘Her Majesty graciously condescends to confide in you. Her slaves who -reside among the Western viceroys have assured her that you respect -the precept of the great Khung--“The counsellor who betrays his -lord’s secret and the child who bites his mother, these are too base -to be pardoned.”’ - -‘Go on,’ I said, becoming slightly impatient. - -‘It being impossible to do what the German Viceroy asks, and her -Majesty being benevolently anxious to spare him the humiliation of a -refusal, there has been sought out a man of the people, a barber in -the Tartar city of Pekin, whose features Heaven has permitted to bear -a certain resemblance to those of his Imperial Highness, Prince Chung. - -‘This respectable person, whose intelligence is remarkable for his -station in life, has been provided with a dress sufficiently like -that worn by the Imperial Family to deceive the barbarians. He has -further received some lessons in etiquette and deportment during the -last few weeks. He will now proceed to the regions of the West, and -gratify the absurd pride of the Viceroy in the manner agreed upon.’ - -‘He will pass himself off as the Prince?’ - -‘It is necessary that he should do so, in order to soothe the -Viceroy. It is better that the Prince’s name should incur this -obloquy, than that the barbarian soldiery should continue their -ravages in the Heavenly Kingdom.’ - -The scheme sounded daring, and yet it seemed to have a very good -chance of success. To a European eye one Chinaman is very like -another. And there were not likely to be many people in Berlin -capable of distinguishing between the manners of a prince and a -barber, apart from their surroundings. - -‘I don’t see why the plan shouldn’t succeed,’ I said aloud. ‘Its very -boldness ought to carry it through.’ - -I observed a distinct look of satisfaction on the face of the -formidable Empress as I made this comment. The interpreter hastened -to respond-- - -‘Your words are those of a prudent man. Her Imperial Majesty offers -you the honour of accompanying the Prince’s substitute, nominally as -his courier, but really as his protector. You will be on the watch -against any chance of detection, and will warn him against imprudent -conduct.’ - -‘I accept her Majesty’s commission,’ was my answer. - -Before the courtier could go through the form of interpreting the -words, the Empress said something to him in Chinese, which caused him -to start like a man who can hardly believe what he has heard. - -Her Majesty made an impatient gesture at this piece of pantomime. -Instantly he turned towards me. - -‘Will your Excellency permit me to offer you my most respectful -congratulations? The Queen of Heaven has ordered you a cup of tea!’ - -I realised that I was as much exalted as if a mere barbarian empress -had bestowed on me an embrace. The tea was brought; a whisper from my -adviser warned me that I must merely touch the cup with my finger and -retire. - -The interpreter, whose name I learned was Wu Tang, accompanied me -from the presence to make the necessary preparations. Once away from -the dreaded eye of his Imperial mistress, he proved to be a very -agreeable, well-informed man, and I regretted that he was not coming -on the mission to Europe. - -He introduced me to the pretended Prince, who had already got quite -used to his part, and received me with all the airs of a Cousin of -the Sun and Moon, and Brother-in-Law of the whole Milky Way. - -Of our journey westward it is needless for me to write, since our -progress was fully reported in the barbarian press. The barber was -kodaked more than once, the apprehensions of the Chinese Court on -this head being fully justified. - -The principal incident which marked the progress of the Embassy must -also be fresh in the public mind--namely, the demand of the German -Court that the Prince should perform the _kowtow_, and his refusal. - -It was at this stage that I first felt myself to be doing something -to earn the lavish rewards of the Dowager Empress. Left to himself, I -believe the barber would have given way, and performed the degrading -obeisance, thereby lowering the honour of the Imperial House beyond -redemption. The wretched man was thoroughly frightened at finding -himself so far from home; and, in his ignorance of Western manners, -he really thought that the Kaiser might have him imprisoned and -beheaded if he provoked his Majesty. - -Fortunately we were on Swiss territory at the time, and by means of -my secret agency I was able to procure a written despatch from the -Chinese Ambassador at another Court, in the name of the Empress, -positively forbidding Prince Chung’s substitute to comply with the -offensive demand. - -The circumstances of our public audience in the Palace of Berlin -were sufficient to daunt any impostor. I confess to some slight -nervousness on my own part, though I was, of course, disguised beyond -the possibility of recognition, as I stood before the monarch who had -so often trusted me in his most confidential affairs, and listened to -the faltering speech of the false Prince. - -The Kaiser was attired in his most magnificent costume, wearing -the famous winged helmet on his head, and surrounded by a galaxy of -ministers and great officers, all arrayed in the utmost military -splendour. It was a sight calculated to strike terror into an -Oriental mind, and I admired the theatrical completeness of the -spectacle, almost regretting that it should be wasted on an obscure -underling. Had the real Prince been there he might have learned a -valuable lesson, and given some good advice to the Empress of China -on his return. - -On the evening after the ceremony the Prince’s substitute was -compelled to attend a banquet, given in order to mark the termination -of strife, and the restoration of good feeling between the two -empires. - -At this banquet I was unable to be present, my position being too low -for me to receive an invitation, and too high for me to appear as an -attendant on the Prince. What incident it was that occurred to rouse -the Kaiser’s suspicion, I have never been able to learn--the luckless -barber himself could not tell me. But late that night a wire reached -me from my office in Paris, to this effect-- - -‘_Urgent wire received from German Emperor requiring you immediately -in Berlin. What reply?_’ - -With the reception of that telegram a light burst upon my mind. A -doubt which I had tried in vain to stifle had vexed me all along as -to the sufficiency of the Empress’s motive for retaining my services, -at a high cost, to do practically nothing. - -Now at last it seemed to me that I understood. This extraordinary -woman had doubtless consulted her representatives in Europe as to the -dangers of detection, and they had informed her that I was Wilhelm -II.’s favourite confidential agent, who would almost certainly be -called in if any suspicion arose. Thereupon she had adopted the -artful device of retaining me on her own side in advance, placing me -in the extremely delicate position of being bound by loyalty to her -to hoodwink my other patron. - -What was I to do? A bare refusal or neglect to answer the Kaiser’s -summons would leave him free to employ another agent, whom I might -find it hard to outwit. On the other hand, I should violate my -lifelong rule, if I accepted a commission which I could not loyally -discharge. - -After much painful thought, I decided on what seemed to me the only -wise and honourable course. Disguised as I was, I went straight round -to the palace, and asked to see the Kaiser. - -‘Impossible!’ declared the private secretary on duty, to whom I was -first shown in. ‘His Majesty is retiring. Who are you?’ - -‘Go and tell the Emperor that the man whom he has just telegraphed to -Paris for is here.’ - -The secretary gave me an astonished look, as he well might, and left -the room. - -In a minute he was back with instructions to conduct me to the -Kaiser’s presence. - -I found his Majesty in his dressing-room alone. - -‘Monsieur V----! Is this really you?’ he exclaimed. - -‘My voice may be more familiar to you than my face, sire,’ I -responded. - -‘I am delighted. Sit down. I have a most extraordinary thing to -consult you about. This----’ - -I ventured to hold up my hand. For the first time in my life I -presumed to interrupt royalty. - -‘A thousand pardons, sire! I beg of you to let me speak first.’ - -‘Why, what does this mean, sir,’ Wilhelm II. inquired sternly. - -‘It means, sire, that I am compelled to presume on the many faithful -services I have rendered to your Majesty to ask you for a favour -which alone can extricate me from a position of cruel embarrassment.’ - -‘Proceed, sir.’ - -The Kaiser’s tone was still reserved, but I fancied I observed a -slight softening in the glance. - -‘I already know the business in which you desire my aid.’ - -[Illustration: “Wilhelm II. strode to me, seized me by the shoulder, -and thrust me out of the room.”] - -‘You know it!’ cried the Emperor, fairly confounded. - -‘It is my business to know things, and I know this. Now, let me put -it to your Majesty, what can you possibly gain by following up an -inquiry which can have no tangible result? I say no tangible result, -because there is simply no means by which you can arrive at the -proof of what you suspect. And, if it were otherwise, how could your -Majesty possibly turn the information to account? - -‘You could not entertain the idea of confessing to the world that you -had been duped. Consider, sire, what use the wits of the boulevards -would make of such a revelation! Imagine the pencil of Caran d’Ache -at work on the episode!’ - -I saw Wilhelm II. fidget uneasily, and I knew that my cause was -gained. - -‘On the other hand,’ I resumed, ‘suppose that you have harboured -a suspicion which is unjust. You run the risk of affronting a -submissive enemy--of insulting the fallen. And it would be too late -to repair the injury to your own prestige; the Paris mockers would -never abandon so good a joke.’ - -The Kaiser frowned and tugged at his moustache. It was evident that -he only sought an excuse to yield. - -‘Consider, sire, that what is merely a question of politics with you -is one of religion with the poor woman you have humiliated to-day. -Your end is gained; the Imperial House of China has humbled itself -in the dust before the Hohenzollerns. If a religious scruple has -caused this public act to be done by proxy, that is a secret known -only to a few persons who, for their own sakes, will never dare to -reveal it.’ - -By this time the Kaiser was as anxious to pass the matter over as he -had been just before to investigate it. - -‘If I consent to take your advice, and dismiss the suspicion I have -formed, will you in turn tell me two things?’ - -‘I have no doubt I shall, sire.’ - -‘Then, why are you in Berlin, and how is it you know so much?’ - -‘I am here, sire, in the train of his Imperial Highness, as the -confidential agent of the Dowager Empress of China.’ - -The Kaiser glared at me, biting his lip to repress the amused smile -that struggled forth nevertheless. - -‘M. V----, you are a wonderful man! I am not sure whether I ought to -arrest you or to pardon you freely; however, I will cry quits if you -will tell me who this fellow really is?’ - -‘He is, of course, sire, the brother of his Imperial Maj----’ - -Wilhelm II. strode to me, seized me by the shoulders, and thrust me -out of the room. - - - - -VIII - -THE ABDICATION OF FRANCIS-JOSEPH - - -I am now going to relate the story of what is, perhaps, the most -extraordinary mission on which I have ever been employed. It will, I -think, come as a surprise to many of the best-informed politicians on -the Continent, including the highly placed personages whose schemes I -was the means of detecting and defeating. - -It was during the war between the British and Boers in South Africa, -at a period which I do not care to specify more particularly, that I -had the honour to receive a request to proceed without loss of time -to Petersburg, and wait upon M. Witte. It is chiefly this Minister’s -unjust dismissal that has provoked me to make this disclosure. - -I was particularly gratified at being sent for by the great Russian -Minister, because his action was a demonstration of the high -confidence reposed in my loyalty. Although I was known to be a Pole -by descent, and the favourite and confidant of the German Emperor, -who had constantly employed me to combat Russian intrigues, yet M. -Witte felt no fear in intrusting me with the secrets of Russian -statecraft. - -The moment I arrived in Petersburg, I went without waiting to change -or refresh myself to wait on my client. Our interview took place, not -at the Ministry of Finance, where M. Witte would have been surrounded -by spies, but at a small private house in a suburb of the Russian -capital. - -The Finance Minister received me in a small study, the walls of which -were lined with works on political economy and kindred subjects. - -‘I have asked you to meet me here,’ the Minister explained, as soon -as I had seated myself, and lighted the cigar which he pressed upon -me, ‘because I don’t wish the fact that we are in communication to -be known to a single person in the Russian Empire. In particular, -it must be kept a strict secret from the Minister of War. It is -against him that you will be acting really, and I shall have to ask -you to pledge yourself that in case of your proceedings attracting -his attention, you will lead him to suppose that you have been -commissioned by some foreign Power.’ - -‘That will be easy,’ I replied. ‘Russia has plenty of watchful -enemies. Shall I say Great Britain?’ - -M. Witte shook his head thoughtfully. - -[Illustration: “‘Will you permit me to ask you,’ he said politely, -‘if you have ever done any business on behalf of the Emperor of -Austria-Hungary?’”] - -‘You would not be believed. No one will credit the British Government -with intelligence enough to acquire knowledge of its enemies’ -intentions. But that is a point which I can safely leave to your -discretion if the occasion should arise.’ - -I contented myself with bowing, and waited for the Minister to -proceed. - -‘Will you permit me to ask you,’ he said politely, ‘if you have ever -done any business on behalf of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary?’ - -‘I have been engaged by his Majesty on two occasions,’ I responded. -‘It was I who succeeded in suppressing the facts concerning the death -of the Crown Prince Rudolf, and in establishing the currency of the -version which has now been accepted as serious history. The truth,’ -I added, ‘will never be known to any one outside the innermost -circle of the Habsburg family; and I dare not tell it even to your -Excellency. The other occasion I am not at liberty to mention.’ - -‘Perhaps I can guess it, though,’ the Russian Minister returned with -a shrewd smile. ‘However, the important thing is that you are already -personally known to the Emperor. It follows from that fact that he -has learned to respect and trust you.’ - -I thanked M. Witte for this compliment by a low bow. At the same time -I was a little on my guard. - -‘You know so much of what goes on in Europe, M. V----,’ he resumed, -‘that perhaps it will be no news to you that Francis-Joseph has -decided to abdicate the Dual Crown.’ - -This announcement, in fact, came as a complete surprise to me. -Fortunately I had time to prepare to receive it calmly. - -‘I will not pretend that it is news,’ was my response. ‘But I am -always glad to have my own information confirmed. I shall be grateful -for anything you may tell me on the subject.’ - -‘I am not going to keep anything from you,’ said the Minister. ‘The -Emperor has made a private announcement of his intention to my own -master, the Tsar, asking for his good offices on behalf of his -proposed successor.’ - -‘The Archduke Ferdinand?’ I put in rashly. - -M. Witte drew himself up, and gave me a suspicious glance. - -‘You are too subtle, M. V----,’ he said coldly. ‘I have no doubt that -you know perfectly well that it is the young Archduke Karl whom the -Emperor has chosen to succeed him.’ - -I thought it better to be suspected of subtlety than nescience, and -apologised. - -‘I ought not to have spoken. I beg your Excellency to continue.’ - -‘What I am going to ask you to do may sound rather extraordinary. I -want you to go to Vienna, see his Majesty, of course without letting -him know that you have been in communication with me, and tell him -that you suspect the Russian Government is playing him false. Then -persuade him to employ you to find out what is in the wind.’ - -I stared at M. Witte in some bewilderment. Then I answered -cautiously-- - -‘Do I understand you, sir, to propose that I am really to enter the -service of the Emperor? Or am I to be your agent in the business?’ - -‘I want you to do both,’ was the answer. - -‘I am to deceive the Emperor, it appears?’ I said with rising -indignation. - -‘Not in the least. You will accept his commission to ascertain the -secret intentions and purposes of the Government of Russia, and you -will execute that commission exactly as if you and I had never held -this conversation.’ - -‘M. Witte, I must beg you to be plain with me. I never consent to act -in the dark. What is your true motive in making this strange proposal -to me?’ - -‘I think I have already told you,’ the Minister returned with perfect -coolness. ‘The man whom I am combating is Count Lamsdorff.’ - -‘Your colleague?’ - -‘Exactly. My colleague, the War Minister.’ - -‘Let me see if I clearly understand your Excellency. The Emperor -of Austria has given the Tsar private notice of his intention to -abdicate? The Tsar has promised to preserve a friendly attitude? -Nevertheless, the war party in the ministry, with or without the -Tsar’s connivance, are secretly preparing to take advantage of -the situation in some way? Your Excellency, knowing this, and -disapproving of their plans, desires to put the Austrian Emperor on -his guard, in order that the scheme may miscarry?’ - -M. Witte punctuated this speech with a series of nods. - -‘And why?’ I demanded bluntly, throwing myself back in my chair. - -The Russian statesman looked at me for a minute, as though trying to -make up his mind whether it would be of any use to offer me a false -excuse. I prepared to listen to something about the obligations of -international honour and good faith. - -‘Suppose I were to tell you that I am acting under the confidential -instructions of my own Emperor, who lacks the courage to put his veto -on the policy of the Grand Dukes?’ - -‘In that case your object can be attained much more simply. Procure -me a line in the handwriting of Nicholas II. to Francis-Joseph, and I -undertake to deliver it, and to burn it afterwards with my own hand.’ - -The Russian heaved a sigh of amused resignation. - -‘You are too deep for me, M. V----. Very well, then, I will tell -you.’ He bent forward and lowered his voice. ‘Russia is not ready to -strike. A war now would mean the bankruptcy of the Empire. The others -will not believe this, but I know it. I will not have my carefully -laid plans shattered by them, for the sake of a miserable province -like Galicia. - -‘I am a statesman, not a pettifogger. With my railways I am reaching -forward to clutch the great Empires of Asia. China is already within -my grasp; India is being drawn closer year by year. When a thousand -millions of men obey the sceptre of the Tsar, these petty European -States will fall like ripe plums into our lap.’ - -The Russian spoke with real emotion. If I still retained any faint -misgiving, it was not enough to restrain me from accepting the -service required of me. - -Within three days I found myself in the palace of Schönbrunn. - -Of all my clients Francis-Joseph is the most unapproachable. Modern -ideas of democratic equality find little encouragement in the -Austrian Court. After the friendly bonhomie of the German Kaiser, -and the tactful kindness of the King of England, the Austrian -sovereign’s manner affects one disagreeably: it is like touching a -lump of ice. Yet, according to his lights, the Emperor is gracious -and even cordial, especially to those who approach him in his private -hours. - -I found him in his favourite room overlooking the Park. His Majesty -did not invite me to be seated in his presence, an omission which -indicated no unfriendliness. - -‘I am pleased to receive you, monsieur,’ he said in a clear, stately -voice. ‘The services you have rendered me entitle you to ask for an -audience, and I have no doubt your reason for seeking it is a proper -one. Be good enough to state it.’ - -‘I have taken the liberty of asking for this audience in order that I -might offer your Majesty certain information about your forthcoming -abdication.’ - -The Emperor could not repress a slight start. Lifting his eyebrows, -he gazed at me steadily in the face. - -[Illustration: “The Emperor could not repress a slight start.”] - -‘I have communicated my _desire_ to abdicate,’ he said with a -significant intonation, ‘to six persons only. Two of them are brother -sovereigns; two are members of my own family; the other two are -the Chancellor of the Empire and the Prime Minister of Hungary. -Through which of them did you receive your information?’ - -‘Not one of the persons in your Majesty’s confidence has the -slightest idea that I have heard anything whatever on the subject. I -must respectfully beg your Majesty not to press me further.’ - -The aged Emperor was evidently much disturbed. - -‘If what you say is true--and I do not doubt your word--the -information must have reached you through an intermediary. That is to -say, my purpose is known to at least eight persons, in short, to the -whole world.’ - -I held my tongue. It is the art by which I have learned most of my -secrets. - -After a few minutes’ silent consideration, during which the frown on -his face steadily deepened, his Majesty looked at me again. - -‘What do you wish to tell me?’ - -‘I wish to put your Majesty on your guard.’ - -‘You have done that already, most effectually,’ he interrupted. - -‘I have come to beg you to distrust the assurances you have received, -no matter from what quarter, that your Majesty’s abdication will -pass off quietly. And if I should be so fortunate as to possess your -confidence, I would further request your Majesty to employ me on the -service of ascertaining what the intentions of your neighbours really -are.’ - -The Emperor perceived that I was keeping something back. - -‘In what directions do your suspicions point?’ he inquired sternly. - -‘Chiefly to Russia,’ I answered with intentional vagueness. - -‘You are mistaken, I believe. You cannot know the nature of the -assurances I have received. Besides, I am well acquainted with the -position of Russia. M. Witte is the man who counts in the Russian -Government, and he is all for peace. He needs time to develop his -plans. The country is nearly insolvent. However much the war party -may desire to make a snatch at Galicia, they will not be allowed to -do so.’ - -‘Will your Majesty pardon me if I venture to make a proposition? I -will undertake to ascertain the actual state of things at my own -risk. If I am able to report that my suspicions are unfounded, your -Majesty shall make me no acknowledgment whatever.’ - -Francis-Joseph threw me a displeased look. - -‘I regret that you should have permitted yourself to speak to me in -that way, monsieur. Be good enough to remember who I am. I do not -employ servants without paying them. Your former services give you a -claim to consideration; your position and character entitle you to be -treated seriously; and I am not going to reject your present request. -You may consider yourself retained to make this investigation. Have -you anything else to say?’ - -This acceptance of my offer, glacial though it was, consoled me -for the rebuke by which it was accompanied. Nevertheless, as I -left the Emperor’s presence, I regretted that he had not been more -frank with me. It was no doubt my own reticence which provoked this -corresponding reserve on his Majesty’s part. But the result might -have been unfortunate. - -It will be noticed particularly that although the Emperor had -practically admitted that it was his intention to vacate the throne, -he had refrained from giving me the smallest hint as to the _date_ of -the abdication. - -I took my way towards the Galician frontier in the character of a -British tourist, armed with a sheaf of the coupons of Messrs. Cook. I -was aware that this disguise would serve better than any other as a -cloak for prying and impertinent questioning. - -Galicia, I need hardly say, is that part of Poland which fell to the -share of Austria in the famous partition of the eighteenth century. -Bitterly as the Poles hate the Russians, the two peoples are allied -in language and blood, and Russia has always looked forward to -incorporating the whole of the ancient realm of the Jagellons in her -own dominions in course of time. The break-up of the Dual Monarchy -would naturally be the signal for Russia to execute her designs on -the Polish province of the Habsburgs. - -In Galicia itself I found everything in a state of the most profound -peace and security. There was the usual frontier garrison, but -the camps showed no signs of special activity. I toured along the -frontier almost from end to end, in a motor which I had ordered from -Paris, and I came upon great stretches of country, several miles in -extent, where a whole Russian army corps could have crossed the line -without being observed, far less opposed. - -At the end of this inspection, which lasted about a week, I crossed -over to the Russian side. - -I found myself received without apparent distrust. The legend of -the mad Englishman on his motor-car had no doubt preceded me. The -Russians do not dislike Englishmen, as individuals, in the way they -dislike Germans. At all events I had no difficulty in making friends -with many of the officers in command of frontier posts. They offered -me hospitality, and showed no resentment at my somewhat daring -exploration of their frontier. - -At the first blush, everything seemed as peaceful on this side as on -the other. The number of troops under arms was not excessive, and the -men showed none of those signs of suppressed excitement which warn an -experienced eye that some movement is in contemplation. - -Presently, however, I began to remark an extraordinary number of -telegraphic despatches arriving at the various posts. Special -messengers seemed to come and go with a frequency that hardly seemed -necessary in time of peace. At last, one night, I was roused from -sleep by a sound which my ears were quick to recognise. It was -the muffled rumble of an artillery train passing over the rough -paving-stones of the small town in which I had stopped for the night. - -I got up, softly drew back the curtain of the window, and cautiously -peeped out. There, in the moonlight, rolled by gun after gun, -followed by the caissons and all the supplementary outfit of a park -of artillery. - -They were heading southward, and the frontier lay only three miles -away. I counted six batteries--thirty-six guns--the equipment of an -army corps. When all had gone by I retired to rest again. - -I rose at break of day, took out my car, and followed in the route -of the cannon. The road conducted me without a turning straight to -the frontier post, where I found a sleepy Russian sentry exchanging -friendly greetings with a still drowsier Austrian one. A short way -beyond stood the Austrian guard-house, with the men lounging on a -bench outside the door in the sunlight, waiting for their coffee. - -Everything was as if my vision of the night before had been a dream. - -I turned my car round, and drove back slowly, scrutinising every -hedge and tree along both sides of the road. Less than a mile from -the post my attention was caught by a place on the left hand side, -where the hedge appeared to have been mended or replanted. I ought -to explain that the road was bordered at this point by a thick wood -apparently impenetrable to anything bigger than a stoat. - -I stopped the car, got down, and approached the hedge, examining -every inch of the ground. - -The first discovery I made was that the road itself had been recently -mended. Creases in the surface, like the ruts made by heavy wheels -in turning, had been filled up, and the dust from other parts of the -road carefully raked over the spot. - -Then, looking closely at the hedge, I perceived that the bushes were -no longer growing in their place. The entire hedge had been cut -away level with the ground for a space of several yards, and then -replaced, the matted bushes being wired together so as to form a sort -of gate or hurdle, like the furze hurdles in common use in England -and other countries. The leaves were already beginning to droop from -want of the nourishment supplied by the roots. - -I drew up my car close to the hedge, and, mounting upon it, managed -to scramble over into the wood, at the cost of some scratches. - -I found myself in the midst of a pile of brush-wood which extended -for some paces, completely covering the soil from view. Immediately -beyond came a gap in the trees, not in front, but at one side, so -that it was quite invisible from the road. Turning sharply towards -the frontier, and running almost parallel with the high road, was a -grassy drive or lane, about ten feet wide, and sufficiently free from -undergrowth to admit the passage of an army. - -With my heart thumping against my ribs, and almost holding my breath -in my excitement, I stole along this path, which revealed, by a -hundred tokens, that it had recently been used for heavy traffic. I -followed its windings for I should think a mile and a half, when I -found myself brought up abruptly by a post and rail fence, the posts -being painted yellow on the side which faced me, and black on the -reverse. - -This fence was the boundary between the two empires. A narrow -footpath bordered it on each side, so that the patrol might pass -along it each day on his rounds. - -As for the artillery, it seemed to have disappeared, to have been -swallowed up by the earth. - -I looked round me in all directions. The woodland road by which I -had reached the frontier stretched away on the other side of the -fence. This was in itself a suspicious sign. It scarcely seemed -likely that two independent drives would have been constructed so as -to meet in the heart of the forest, unless there was some traffic -meant to pass that way. All at once the explanation burst upon me. It -was a smuggler’s route! - -The high tariffs of the Russian and Austrian empires have fostered an -important contraband traffic. The soldiers who patrol the frontier -are easily bribed by a share in the gains of the smugglers. What the -Russian War Office had done was to bribe the smugglers in their turn -to act as its allies in this strange invasion. - -I have used the word invasion. Unless my deductions were wholly -false, the thirty-six guns which I had seen passing my window in the -night were by this time actually planted on the soil of Austria. - -I sprang over the fence, and hurried forward on the still clearly -revealed track. - -At the end of an hour from my first entrance into the forest, my ear -caught a low murmur which warned me that I was drawing near to some -kind of encampment. Striking from the lane into the wood, I advanced, -creeping from tree to tree. But I have had few opportunities of -learning woodcraft, and there were keener ears, and more stealthy -footsteps than mine in the forest. Suddenly I felt a powerful hand -gripping my throat, a dark cloth descended over my eyes, and I was -thrown violently to the ground. - -I did not lose consciousness, while I was lifted up by the feet and -shoulders, and carried a distance which I calculated at two hundred -paces. After some twisting and turning I was set down, and the cloth -was taken off my head. I sat up and looked round. - -I found myself in a small hut or wigwam of boughs and woven rushes, -surrounded by half a dozen dark-faced men who squatted between me -and the doorway, the only opening by which light was admitted. One -glance at my captors satisfied me that they were neither soldiers nor -Russians. Reassured on this point I prepared to defend myself boldly. - -The head man of the party appeared to be an old fellow with a short -grey beard, who might have passed equally well in the uncertain light -for a Wallach, a Slovene, a gipsy, or a Jew, but certainly not for -an honest man of any race. Addressing myself to the chief of the -smugglers, as I conceived him to be, in Polish, I asked-- - -‘Why have you dared to treat me like this?’ - -‘He is a Pole!’ The muttered exclamation solved my doubt as to the -race of the smugglers. The language they used between themselves was -Romany. - -‘What were you doing in our wood?’ the old gipsy asked threateningly. - -Before I had time to reply, the old man’s eye suddenly lighted up. -He took a step towards me, uttered an amazed ejaculation, and then, -before I knew what was happening, fell on his knees before me, and, -seizing my right hand, respectfully kissed a ring on the little -finger. At the same time the other members of the party crowded -round, evidently impatient to follow his example. - -The ring which excited this extraordinary demonstration was one which -I had worn so long that I had forgotten all about it. It had been -given me seventeen years before, in Baghdad, by an old woman I had -saved from the bastinado at the hands of a savage Pasha. - -She was a gipsy, I now remembered; she had forced the ring upon me -against my will, and had urged me never to take it off night or day, -assuring me in the most solemn manner that it would one day be the -means of saving my life. This prophecy, which I had laughed at as a -vain boast and quickly forgotten, was coming true at last. - -Blessing the old lady with all my heart, and inwardly apologising -to her for my past scepticism, I put on the air of one who was -accustomed to, and expected, the homage he was receiving. - -‘That will do, my friends,’ I said, when each man had saluted the -magic ring in turn--it was engraved with a pentagram. ‘Now, if I give -you some money, how long will it take you to procure some bottles of -good wine?’ - -A grunt of pleasure welcomed this inquiry. I heard a word which -sounded like canteen. Then one of the men rose, in obedience to a nod -from the chief. - -‘Cheni will fetch it in five minutes,’ said the old man. - -I placed a double handful of gold in his outstretched palms. A -perfect salvo of approving cries greeted this munificence. - -While we were waiting for the wine to appear I offered an account of -myself which appeared to be quite satisfactory. I said I was a Pole, -of gipsy descent through my mother, that I was engaged in a plot to -bring about a general rising in the event of war between Austria and -Russia, and that I was specially engaged to secure the support of the -numerous gipsies along the frontier, who were to watch the movements -of the two great belligerents on our behalf, a service for which they -would be handsomely paid. - -The arrival of six bottles of first-rate Tokay gave all the -confirmation to my words that was required. As the wine vanished -down their throats, the gipsies laid aside all reserve, and freely -imparted to me what information they possessed. - -They told me, in the first place, that the six batteries I was -tracing were within a few yards of us, skilfully hidden among the -trees. Their arrival brought the force designed for the occupation of -Galicia up to a total strength of eighty thousand men and seventy-two -guns, all of whom had been secretly brought across the frontier at -different points during the last few days, and were now ready to -move in concert as soon as the signal was given, and overrun the -unprepared province. - -Vast convoys of provisions were being held in readiness on the -Russian side of the frontier, and a second army of one hundred and -twenty thousand men was to be secretly mobilised in and around -Warsaw, ready to come to the support of the first, in the event of -serious resistance on the part of the Austrian Government. - -This last item rested on hearsay, but the presence of two army -corps on Galician soil was a fact for which my informants were able -to vouch from their own observation. The fact was known to every -smuggler along the Galician frontier, and yet, so profuse were the -bribes they had received, and so perfect was their secrecy, that not -the slightest hint had been suffered to reach any official of the -Austrian Government. - -I spent some hours of the most agonising suspense I have ever known, -in the company of these drunken outlaws, before I dared to risk -an effort to get away. Their suspicions, or rather their natural -distrustfulness, caused them to raise all sorts of objections to my -departure. It was only by swearing on the sacred pentagram that no -hair of their heads should ever be imperilled by any action of mine, -that I was able to tear myself away. - -When I got out on to the high road again, at the spot where I had -left my motor, I found, as I had feared, that it was no longer there. -I turned at haphazard in the direction of the frontier post. As soon -as I came in sight of the Russian guard-house, I saw, to my delight, -my car standing on the road in the front of the door, with a group of -interested soldiers curiously inspecting every part of it. - -Now the car happened to be a Panhard, of the most powerful -construction yet turned out by the famous French firm. - -I strolled up carelessly, greeted the astonished soldiers in broken -Russian, and asked them if they were familiar with the machine. The -lieutenant of the post, a man in education and intelligence below the -level of an English sergeant, bustled out and began questioning me, -with the evident intention of ordering my arrest. - -I handed him my passport to read, a process which takes some time -with an illiterate Russian officer, and went on explaining the -mechanism of the car to the inquisitive soldiers. Finally I came to -the driving power. - -‘And now, my friends,’ I said, ‘I will show you how the car is -propelled. Stand back clear of the wheels, if you please. You see -this lever. I place my hand on it so----’ - -‘Stay!’ shouted the officer, divining the danger in this -demonstration. - -He spoke too late. As my hand grasped the lever, I vaulted into the -car, and before the excited soldiers realised that it was under way, -the Panhard was tearing towards the boundary line at the rate of -twenty-five miles an hour. - -The Russian sentry ran out into the middle of the road to stop me. -He was a poor peasant, perhaps from the banks of the Volga, who must -have thought that the Evil One himself was upon him. I saw his face -blanch, and almost heard the chattering of his teeth, but he did not -flinch from his duty. I rode right over him, and I am sorry to say -that I believe he was killed. - -[Illustration: “I rode right over him.”] - -The Austrian sentry simply fired off his gun as a warning to his -comrades at the guard-house further along the road. They swarmed -out, and I pulled up the machine. I had put the brake on immediately -after crossing into Austrian territory. - -‘In the Emperor’s name!’ I whispered to the Austrian officer of the -guard. ‘I am not an Englishman, but a member of the Austrian Secret -Service. By allowing me to pass without delay you will render the -Government a vital service.’ - -‘You have just killed a man,’ the officer objected, pointing to the -blood on my wheels. - -‘I am afraid so. The fact that I killed a Russian sentry in order to -cross the frontier should convince you that I am in deadly earnest.’ - -The officer, by some rare chance, was intelligent enough to believe -me. - -‘Pass on, sir,’ he said. - -I pressed the lever, and set out on my mad race across an Empire to -Vienna. I had nothing to eat or drink. I had no shields for my eyes; -the Russian soldiers must have removed them while the car was in -their hands. I was utterly unprepared for my terrible journey. But -some intuition warned me that every moment was precious, and I kept -my splendid machine at full pressure for the whole five hundred miles. - -I will not attempt to describe that nightmare ride. Late in the -evening of the following day, I alighted at the gate of the palace -of Schönbrunn, worn-out, my face and hands chapped and bleeding, my -eyes half-blinded with dust, and my strength nearly gone. - -‘The Emperor! Take me to the Emperor!’ I gasped to the first person I -met. ‘It is life or death!’ - -I was conducted into the presence of a chamberlain, who sought to -impose all sorts of obstacles. - -‘You cannot see his Majesty now. I dare not intrude upon him. He is -closeted with the Archdukes. It is a Habsburg Family Council.’ - -‘My God!’ I cried out. ‘You have given me ten thousand reasons for -insisting! If it costs my life, I must interrupt his Majesty.’ - -My violence cowed the official. He conducted me, or, in fact, -supported me, for I was almost too weak to stand, to the door of the -Council Chamber. - -‘Go in, if you must,’ he said. ‘For my part, I dare not announce you.’ - -I turned the handle of the door, and staggered into the room. - -The spectacle which met my eyes was dazzling. In a blaze of light -all the Archdukes of the Imperial House, wearing their uniforms and -robes of State, were grouped in a semicircle, facing a throne on -which the representative of the Cæsars was seated in his Imperial -mantle, wearing the great Double Eagle Crown of Austria. Before him, -on a footstool, knelt a handsome lad of fifteen, in whom I had no -difficulty in recognising the Archduke Karl, the destined successor -to the throne. - -At the moment I burst in I saw the venerable Emperor raise his hands -to his head, lift up the Imperial Crown, in which the huge diamonds -and rubies and sapphires sparkled like founts of fire, and hold it -poised in the air over his young kinsman’s bent head. In another -second it would have rested on the boy’s brow, and Francis-Joseph -would have ceased to reign. - -‘Pardon!’ - -My voice rang out like the hoarse scream of a drunkard. I tottered -forward and fell on my knees, while the Emperor half rose from his -throne, still grasping the great crown in both hands. - -‘Pardon, sire! At this hour a Russian army of eighty thousand men is -encamped upon the soil of Austria!’ - -Francis-Joseph sank back on his seat, and mechanically replaced the -diadem on his own head. - - * * * * * - -The explanations which followed between the two Governments were not -communicated to me. But I learned through my friends the gipsies that -the discovery of the motor, and my subsequent flight gave the alarm -to the Russian War Office. The invading force retired as stealthily -as it had come, and all vestiges of its having crossed the frontier -were so speedily and skilfully effaced that if Count Lamsdorff fell -back on a denial of the truth, it is probable that the Austrian -Government found itself unable to press the charge. - -So the evil day has been postponed; for, as long as Francis-Joseph -reigns over the Dual Monarchy, Russia will be content to bide her -time. - -In the meanwhile I have been informed that a warrant has been issued -against me, in the Russian courts, for the murder of the sentry whose -fate I have described. - - - - -IX - -THE DEATH OF QUEEN DRAGA - - -It is with painful feelings, and only after long consideration, -that I have resolved to lift the veil from the tragic mystery which -surrounds the fate of the Queen who perished under the knives of -assassins in Belgrade in the month of June 1903. - -The hesitation I have felt in approaching this melancholy story is -due to reasons of a personal character. Many years before, when the -late Queen of Servia occupied a private station, it was my lot to -meet her, and to fall under the spell of that fascination which this -extraordinary woman possessed over men, and which will cause her to -be remembered in history with Helen and Cleopatra, and all those -enchantresses who have involved kingdoms in ruin by their charms. - -I had no right to suppose that the Countess, as she then was, -distinguished me from the crowd of those who paid homage to her; -but yet it seems as though I had in some manner inspired her with a -feeling of confidence and regard warmer than that usually felt by -any woman for a man who is neither her lover nor her kinsman. - -I believe myself to be the only survivor of the tragedy who possesses -the key to that strange and terrible career, and that in imparting my -knowledge to the world I am discharging what has become a sacred duty -to the dead. - -With this apology I will come straight to the history. - -It was some years since I had seen or heard anything of the -Countess Draga, though, of course, I was aware, in common with all -well-informed students of contemporary politics, of the passion which -she had inspired in the young King of Servia, when I was astonished -by receiving one day a private letter from her, imploring me to -come to Belgrade at once to advise her on a matter of the highest -importance. - -I lost no time in obeying the summons, by which I was singularly -moved, since there is only one thing which can ever be of the highest -importance to a woman. - -It was in the courtyard garden of an old stonewalled Servian -house--more like a fortified farmhouse than a private mansion--that -the revelation burst on my ears which was so soon to startle the -capitals of Europe. - -A fountain plashed into a marble basin strewn with rose leaves, and -the faint scent of myrtle and lemon blossom came from the curtain -of shrubs which screened the gateway in the thick grey wall. The -beautiful woman whose name was the object of maledictions throughout -a continent, reclined on a low couch heaped with Oriental cushions, -and fixed her dark eyes on me with a tragic intensity of appeal, as -she confessed her secret. - -‘I need the advice of a disinterested friend, one who stands apart -from the intrigues which centre round the Servian throne.’ - -I sat upright on the French chair provided for me, and gazed down at -her, outwardly calm and stern as ever, but gripping the throttle of -emotions whose strength none can know but myself. - -‘My advice will be disinterested in one sense,’ I answered slowly. -‘I care nothing for the plots and conspiracies which, under the name -of politics, serve as a substitute for the old brigandage of the -Balkans. But I am interested in your happiness.’ - -The Countess Draga let her eyelids fall for a moment as a quick spasm -of pain crossed her face. - -‘Do not let us speak of my happiness,’ she said in low tones. ‘It is -of Alexander I must think.’ - -I folded my arms across my chest, and said nothing. - -‘He has asked me to be his Consort.’ - -I did not succeed in quite concealing the astonishment with which I -heard this piece of news, as yet unsuspected by Europe, and for which -my friend Baron Rothschild would gladly have paid 1,000,000 francs. - -‘I refused him,’ the Countess added; ‘I have refused him not once but -twice, but he persists.’ - -‘Kings ought to marry kings’ children,’ I observed, as she seemed to -wait for some expression of opinion from me. - -‘Add that boys ought to marry girls and not grown women, and you -will say what the world will say as soon as it hears of this,’ she -returned, with some bitterness. ‘That is what I have told Alexander; -and he has sworn upon the crucifix in my presence that he will marry -only me.’ - -‘Leave Servia. Spend a year on the Riviera--or in Paris’--she glanced -swiftly at me as I said this--‘and he may change his resolution.’ - -The Servian’s reply startled me. - -‘I cannot. At this moment I am under secret arrest.’ - -‘Under arrest?’ - -‘You forget that Alexander has made himself master, and that reasons -of State cover a great deal in Servia which they would not cover in -France.’ - -I was staggered. A stranger situation I had never encountered in all -my strange experience. - -‘He holds you a prisoner till you consent to become his Queen!’ - -‘Till I become his Queen,’ she corrected. - -I sat still for a minute, considering. The chancelleries and the -public of Europe would never believe this story. They would think, -they were already thinking and saying, that the Countess was an -adventuress, luring the young King to his ruin. - -‘There is one very simple solution,’ I said at last. ‘I will arrange -your escape.’ - -‘Impossible!’ she sighed. - -I frowned. - -‘Pardon me, my dear Countess, but when you did me the honour to -consult me, I assumed that you had some confidence in my ability. I -offer to take you wherever you wish to go.’ - -‘You misunderstand me, my dear friend. I do not doubt your power to -release me. But my flight would become a public event; Alexander has -too little self-restraint to keep silence about it. I should thus -damage him as much as by accepting the throne which he offers me. -He has sworn, moreover, that if I persist in my refusal, he will -abdicate.’ - -With what sophistries will a woman deceive herself where her heart is -concerned! And how worse than useless is it to reason with her. - -‘You have told me enough,’ I answered, in a voice which was -melancholy in spite of myself. ‘I perceive that this young monarch -is not indifferent to you.’ - -The lovely Servian lowered her glance, and began picking a rose to -pieces with her delicate fingers. - -‘He is my King,’ she murmured. ‘He is the last of the dynasty of -Obrenovitch, which my family have served faithfully for a hundred -years. The one thing which alarms me most in the whole situation is -that I have been urged to accept the King’s hand by Colonel Masileff.’ - -‘Colonel Masileff?’ - -‘Who is understood to be the secret head of the party in favour of -Prince Peter Karageorgevitch.’ - -I now understood the seriousness of the affair, since it was -clear that whatever step was favoured by the supporters of the -Karageorgevitch claimant must be fraught with some danger to the -Obrenovitch. - -‘Is Alexander aware of this fact?’ - -‘I have told him, but he considers it an excuse on my part. Perhaps, -if you were to warn him, he might listen to you.’ - -I did not much relish the task of forcing my advice on a headstrong -youth, intoxicated with love and sovereignty. In the end I decided to -return from Belgrade through Switzerland and take an opportunity of -finding out something about Alexander’s rival for the Servian crown. - -But the ways of women are proverbially difficult to calculate. - -While I was still lingering in Belgrade, on the look-out for some -useful introduction to Prince Peter, the world was startled by the -public announcement of the forthcoming marriage of the King and the -Countess. - -I went at once to wait on the prospective Queen of Servia to tender -my formal congratulations. I found her already surrounded by a throng -of courtiers, among whom I discerned the lean military figure and -vulture nose of the man whom Draga herself had denounced to me a few -days before--Colonel Masileff. - -So magical is the influence of royalty that I found myself able to -detect a difference already in the manner, and even in the very -voice, of the woman who had bared her heart to me so short a time -before. She was gracious and cordial, but it was the graciousness -and cordiality of a Sovereign to a subject, rather than that of a -beautiful woman to a man. - -Coming away I thrust my arm through that of the formidable Colonel. - -‘Have you any commands for Geneva?’ I asked. ‘I shall be there in the -course of two days.’ - -Masileff let himself be surprised. - -‘But I thought you were a friend of the Countess?’ he stammered. - -‘Certainly--as you are,’ I retorted. ‘It seems to me that the -Countess is doing a very good stroke of work for a cause in which you -and I are both interested.’ - -Masileff glanced at me with curiosity. - -‘Do you know, Monsieur V----’ (I had not seen cause to disguise my -identity on this occasion), ‘that I think you must be more fortunate -than I am. That is to say, I think you must possess the confidence of -a person who has not yet honoured me by a sign that my services are -acceptable to him.’ - -‘Thank you, Colonel,’ I replied, bowing. ‘Your message shall be -delivered in the right quarter.’ - -I left Belgrade the same night, and two days later found myself in -the presence of a quiet, elderly man in a modest apartment near the -famous Lake Leman. - -I had sent in my card with the pencilled addition: ‘Confidential -agent of the Tsar, the German Emperor, and Monsieur Chamberlain.’ - -I felt sure that the names of the powerful triumvirate who, between -them, controlled the destinies of the Old World, would secure me the -attention of Prince Peter Karageorgevitch; and I was not mistaken. - -The Prince received me with a real or assumed nervousness, and -expressed himself anxious to receive any message I might have for -him. - -‘I have no message of any importance for your Highness,’ I replied, -scrutinising carefully the careworn features of the elderly man who -sat in front of me. ‘My only message at all is one from Colonel -Masileff, which is perhaps not worth your attention.’ - -‘I have heard of the Colonel, and shall be pleased to hear anything -on his behalf,’ the Prince replied cautiously. - -‘Colonel Masileff is a little disappointed, sir, that your Highness -has not offered him any token of your approbation. He would welcome -some sign that you are not indifferent to your friends in Servia.’ - -Prince Peter looked at me with a glance which, though quiet, was not -less searching than my own. - -‘I thank you, Monsieur V----. Is that all?’ - -‘It is the whole of the message, sir.’ - -‘Again, thank you.’ - -‘Your Highness does not wish to make me the medium of your answer, -perhaps?’ I hinted. - -‘There is no answer.’ - -I perceived that I was dealing with a man of no ordinary penetration -and shrewdness. With such men it is always best to come straight to -the point and to be frank. - -‘And now, sir, for the real object of my visit. I need not tell your -Highness that I did not come to Geneva to oblige Colonel Masileff.’ - -‘That is already quite clear,’ the Prince commented drily. - -A remark from which I inferred that it was in the power of Masileff -to have given me credentials which would have secured me a very -different reception. - -‘I have come here, then, to beg for the life of a woman.’ - -Karageorgevitch started slightly, and began for the first time to -look uneasy. - -‘I thought you said you had no important message,’ he reminded me. - -‘I have none. The woman I speak of is totally ignorant of the step I -take in coming here.’ - -‘Then your interest in the matter is----?’ - -‘Is personal merely. I make it my private prayer to your Highness -that, in a certain event which no longer seems improbable, the life -of this woman shall be spared.’ - -Prince Peter gave an imperceptible shrug, a shrug which said very -plainly, nevertheless, ‘I have no motive for obliging you.’ - -Aloud his Highness remarked-- - -‘I am strongly opposed to all bloodshed, Monsieur V----. I feel sure -there is no reality in the danger you foresee, or I should be as -earnest as yourself in wishing to prevent it.’ - -‘I can say no more, sir; I am here, as I have said, merely in my -private capacity. Still, I happen to have rendered important -services to some very powerful personages’ (the Prince glanced at the -names I had inscribed on my card), ‘and, without being a blackmailer, -I feel confident that if I appealed to those personages for their -influence on behalf of a righteous and honourable cause, I should not -be refused.’ - -Prince Peter rose to his feet, and walked twice up and down the room -before replying. - -‘It is evident to me,’ he said at length, ‘that you have a strong -personal interest in the new Queen of Servia, and that you are a man -who is to be trusted. That being so, I will explain to you frankly my -position. I have friends in Servia who desire to see the restoration -of my dynasty, and derive much confidence from the misconduct of this -youth in whom the Obrenovitch line terminates. - -‘Their reports reach me regularly, and I am therefore able to -anticipate their plans to some extent. But I have resolved that if I -am ever to seat myself on the Servian throne, I must keep my hands -clean. For that reason I have never committed myself by approving any -of the measures contemplated on my behalf. - -‘If Masileff really told you he never heard from me, he told you the -actual truth. I have never yet returned any answer to any of the -communications I receive almost weekly from Belgrade. To that rule -I must adhere. All I can promise you is this, that if hereafter I -receive any information which convinces me that the life of the -Countess Draga is in danger, I will at once break silence, and send a -peremptory order to my friends that she is to be allowed to leave the -country in safety.’ - -I thanked the Servian prince for this pledge, which was all I had any -right to expect. The claimant to a Crown could hardly be asked to -veto all attempts on his behalf on the mere chance that some of them -might endanger the lives of the reigning family. - -I returned to Paris, and sought to distract myself in my work from -brooding over the tragedy which seemed to be shaping itself in the -Servian capital. - -As we had both foreseen, Queen Draga incurred the obloquy of the -world by marrying Alexander. Her reputation was sacrificed to his, -and I believe that she deliberately posed as the instigator of all -his violent and injudicious measures, in the hope of acting, so to -speak, as a conductor of the popular wrath, and thereby saving her -husband. - -Had she been able at the same time to wean Alexander from his wild -passion for herself, he and his dynasty might have been preserved. -It is the charitable view to take that the young King was not fully -responsible for his acts at this time. The distressing circumstances -of his bringing-up, the fatal inheritance of his father’s example -and influence, render it impossible to regard Alexander Obrenovitch -as a normal young man. - -The long period of suspense which I passed through, while watching -from Paris over the safety of the Queen of Servia, was at last put an -end to by a cypher telegram from the agent whom I had stationed in -Belgrade unknown even to Draga herself. - -‘_Death of King fixed for next week. Queen must be persuaded to fly -at once._’ - -The despatch reached me just half an hour before the departure of the -Oriental express, into which I flung myself panting as it began to -glide out of the station. - -My agent, warned from Vienna, met me as I alighted in Belgrade. - -The pallor of his countenance told me that he had bad news to -communicate. - -‘The worst--instantly!’ I exclaimed, in Polish, a language I have -taught to all the most trusted members of my staff. - -‘Nothing has happened,’ he stammered out. ‘But I tried to give a hint -to the Queen; she has passed it on to her husband. The conspirators -have learned that suspicion has been aroused in the Palace; and----’ - -‘And what?’ I seized him by the wrist. - -‘The assassination is to be carried out to-night, instead of next -week.’ - -‘To-night!’ - -Exhausted as I was by the long journey, this news almost broke me -down. I had to lean against my agent for support. - -The poor wretch, conscious that he had blundered disastrously, dared -not meet my eye, and I felt him trembling. - -It is my maxim never to be angry with an employee except for bad -faith. If an agent of mine blunders or breaks down I consider the -fault is mine for having intrusted him with a task beyond his powers. -Besides, there are no perfect instruments. In my own career I have -made two mistakes. - -Therefore I assured the unfortunate man that all was well, since -Queen Draga was yet alive. We went together to the house in which -my agent had been residing for some time in the character of -correspondent of the Havas Agency. There I assumed the Servian dress -which he had had the forethought to prepare for me, and, disguised as -a _sous-officier_, I set off for the Palace. - -My military uniform naturally inspired confidence in the sentries, -those in the plot no doubt supposing that I was so, also. - -I made my way round to a side entrance, suitable to my apparent -station, and there, by my agent’s advice, asked to see Anna -Petrovitch, the waiting-maid who had shared the Queen’s fortunes for -many years. - -I was admitted without any demur, and presently Anna herself -appeared. She took me apart into a small chamber apparently used by -the upper servants of the Palace, and asked me what I wanted. - -‘I must see the Queen immediately, in private,’ I answered. - -‘You cannot do that. Her Majesty is just sitting down to dinner. What -is your name; and what do you want to see her about?’ - -‘My name does not matter. I come as a friend, and I bring her Majesty -a message from one who wishes her well.’ - -I knew that if this woman were really in Draga’s confidence these -words would not fall unheeded. - -‘Cannot you tell me something more? I will try to get you an audience -as soon as dinner is over, provided I am sure that you are a friend.’ - -‘Listen!’ I bent forward and whispered in her ear. ‘Have you ever -heard the Queen mention a certain Monsieur V----?’ - -The woman gave a start of joy, impossible to be feigned. - -‘You come from him?’ - -I bowed. - -‘Then I will endeavour to let the Queen know at once. In the -meantime, follow me.’ - -Anna conducted me up one of the back staircases of the Palace and -along a corridor, till we arrived at a door, which she unlocked with -a key taken out of her pocket. - -I found myself in a small bedroom, humbly, but comfortably furnished. - -‘This is my own room. The Queen’s boudoir is reached through that -door,’ she explained, pointing to it. ‘Wait here, and excuse me if I -take the precaution of locking you in.’ - -‘Stay,’ I said sharply. ‘In situations like this I trust no one. Give -me the key, and I will lock myself in, and open to your knock.’ - -The servant made no objection, and a signal was arranged between us; -after which she stole away, leaving me there in the gathering dusk, -with the fate of a kingdom trembling in the balance. - -Of my feelings during the next half hour it would be useless to -speak. Murder, red-armed and tiger-eyed, was whetting its knife -against the bosom of the woman whom I would gladly have died to save. -And I could do nothing but stand there and gaze furtively through the -window for the first sign of the approaching cyclone. - -[Illustration: “I took out my loaded revolver, cocked it and advanced -to the threshold.”] - -At the end of thirty eternal minutes the expected knock came at the -outer door. I took out my loaded revolver, cocked it, and advanced -to the threshold. - -‘Who is there?’ - -‘The Queen’s friend,’ came the expected answer. - -I unlocked the door, opened it just widely enough to admit the -waiting-maid, and promptly shut and locked it again. - -‘The Queen knows you are here, but she dares not leave the table -for another half hour. At the end of that time she will be in her -boudoir, and will admit us.’ - -I took out my watch, and cursed each dilatory hand. - -‘Is the danger so pressing, then?’ asked the frightened woman. - -‘I do not know how pressing it is,’ I answered gloomily. ‘I cannot -even be sure that Queen Draga will be suffered to leave that table -alive.’ - -‘Oh, you are mistaken there!’ Anna exclaimed. ‘My mistress is safe. -She has had a private assurance that she will be allowed to flee.’ - -‘Has she fled?’ I retorted. I thought I knew Draga better than her -servant did. - -Silence followed. The knowledge that Prince Peter had evidently -contrived to give orders on behalf of the Queen, in the event of -violence being employed, soothed me to some extent. Nevertheless, a -sad and terrible presentiment warned me to expect the worst. - -A low scratching on the inner door, that leading into the Royal -boudoir, told us that the victim was still alive. A bolt was -withdrawn, and the next moment I found myself in Queen Draga’s -presence. - -It was the same woman whom I had left a few years ago, in the full -bloom of her womanhood, but how changed, how stricken! The harassed -brow, the hunted look in the eyes, the grey streaks in the hair, all -told me what the difference had been between the lot of the Queen and -the simple Countess. - -‘You are from Monsieur ----?’ she whispered. - -I drew myself up. Recognition flashed in her eyes. - -‘You are Andrea!’ - -That word repaid me for everything. I went down on one knee, and -pressed her offered fingers to my lips. - -It was only by the light of the moon that we were able to see each -other. Anna was moving towards the key of the electric lamps, but the -Queen forbade her with a gesture. - -‘Now, tell me, what is it?’ - -‘You must this very minute put on Anna’s dress, and leave the Palace -with me. We shall go straight to the railway, where my agent has by -this time chartered a special train.’ - -Draga drew back unconvinced. - -‘The assassination is fixed for next Tuesday,’ she declared. - -‘It is fixed for to-night.’ - -‘To-night? You must be mistaken.’ - -I smiled bitterly. - -‘The Tsar of Russia has never said that to me, madam.’ - -‘But how?--when?--Your own agent told me--if he was your agent----’ - -I waved my hand impatiently. - -‘All that was true three days ago, madam. Your Majesty told -King Alexander, and the conspirators have advanced the hour in -consequence.’ - -For the first time the heroic woman turned pale, and began to tremble. - -‘At what hour to-night is it?’ - -‘I have not ascertained. For ought I know the assassins are at this -moment surrounding the Palace. There may be just time for you to -leave.’ - -‘But the King! Alexander! My husband!’ - -‘I do not think there will be time for him to leave as well,’ I said -gravely. - -Queen Draga threw one hand across her breast with a superb defiance. - -‘I do not go without my husband, sir.’ - -I was torn between admiration and despair. - -‘I should have done better to remain in Paris, I perceive,’ I said -sullenly. - -‘On the contrary, dear Andrea, I, who know you so well, know that you -have the heroism of soul to save the man you hate at the prayer of -the woman you love.’ - -I stood thunderstruck, while she crossed the room into the adjoining -bedchamber, and sounded a silver bell. - -‘Inform his Majesty that I desire to see him very particularly as -soon as possible.’ - -The servant who had answered the bell bowed and withdrew, with -startled looks, from which I was inclined to suspect that he was in -the pay of the assassins. Fortunately, he had not been able to see me -where I stood. - -The Queen now began hurriedly to change her dress for one more -suitable for the emergency. Meanwhile there was no sign that her -message had reached Alexander. - -‘You have been betrayed, madam,’ I observed at last. ‘That servant -was a traitor. I saw it in his face.’ - -Draga uttered a cry of despair. - -‘You, Anna, you go and bring the King here at all costs.’ - -Anna darted out of the room. - -The Queen, too terribly anxious to go on with her own preparations -for flight, paced the room like a lioness listening for the approach -of the hunters. - -Five minutes passed--ten minutes--a quarter of a year! Then a step -was heard in the adjoining room, and the young King of Servia, his -dark face flushed with wrath, strode in. - -‘What is all this? Are you trying to frighten me, Draga?’ - -He saw me and stopped, at the same time putting his hand to his side -where his sword should have been. The weapon was missing, perhaps by -accident. - -‘This is our best friend, Alexander. He has come to save us. The -assassins have changed their plans, and will be here to-night. A -special train has been got ready, and if you can leave the Palace in -disguise, all will be well.’ - -The ascendency of a powerful intellect in the moment of danger made -itself felt. Alexander looked about him, half-dazed, as the poor -youth well might be, by the ghastly imminence of the peril. - -‘What disguise can I wear?’ he demanded, in a choked voice. - -‘Change clothes with your valet,’ the Queen replied, with -feminine quickness. ‘This gentleman affirms that he is one of the -conspirators.’ - -‘Constantine! Impossible! I do not believe it.’ - -Draga wrung her hands. - -‘I cannot save him. He is obstinate!’ she sobbed. - -The sob conquered the stubborn narrow mind which would have resisted -all argument. Alexander darted into his dressing-room, from which the -valet was just trying to escape. - -Seizing the man by the throat, Alexander dealt him a blow on the -temple which deprived him of his senses. I had followed his Majesty, -and I now stripped the valet while the King hastily undressed. While -the King was assuming the disguise thus provided for him, I carried -the insensible man into the bedroom, and placed him between the royal -sheets. - -At this moment the white face of Anna Petrovitch appeared in the -doorway beyond. - -‘They are coming! I see them outside in the courtyard.’ - -‘Quick, quick!’ burst from the lips of Queen Draga, whose -self-possession seemed almost unnatural. And she pushed her husband -towards the door of his own dressing-room. - -‘This way?’ he exclaimed, his mind unable to keep pace with hers. - -‘Yes. You are Constantine. You are in the plot, remember. You must -let them in to kill your master, who is asleep.’ - -I shuddered. My suspicion--for it was hardly more--was going to be -fatal to the valet. - -‘Go with him,’ Queen Draga added, turning to me. ‘I am safe. I -need neither protection nor guidance. He needs both. I adjure you, -Andrea!’ - -Swept away by the torrent of her impetuosity, I followed Alexander to -the dressing-room. - -Draga herself came to the door, and closed it softly after us. - -We were just in time to meet a party of a dozen soldiers, headed by -Colonel Masileff himself. - -Stepping past the young King, who was shaking like a leaf, I -whispered in Masileff’s ear-- - -‘Be quiet, or you will awake him. He is lying on the bed, drunk.’ - -The soldiers filed in past us, not one casting so much as a glance at -our faces, shrouded by the darkness. - -The moment the last man had stepped across the threshold of the -dressing-room, I took Alexander by the arm and drew, or rather -dragged, him out into the corridor, and down the great staircase of -the Palace. - -We passed out unquestioned. It did not occur to one of the men whom -we found outside that Masileff could have missed his prey. - -My uniform was enough to disarm suspicion, for it was that of a -regiment in which every man had sworn on the Gospel not to let -Alexander escape alive. My agent had served me well. - -We found him at the station. The special train was ready, with steam -up, waiting for the signal to place us in safety on the soil of -Austria. - -I made Alexander take his seat in the meanest compartment, while I -waited outside the station for the appearance of the two women. - -I waited a long time. - -From the town, all buried in darkness, there came sounds of tumult -and exultation, which must have shaken the heart of the young man in -the train. - -It was not till I had been there for nearly three-quarters of an hour -that I saw one female form creeping feebly along the road towards the -station. - -I darted out to meet her, and uttered an oath. - -Anna Petrovitch fell weeping into my arms, with the doleful cry: -‘Queen Draga is dead! Queen Draga is dead!’ - -Five minutes later I had placed the desolate creature in the train, -and we were speeding on our way to Vienna. - -It was in the train that I learned the few particulars that Anna had -to tell. But I had already guessed the nature of the catastrophe. - -Another party of soldiers, headed by a personal enemy of the Queen’s, -had invaded the Royal suite through the waiting-maid’s room at the -instant that Masileff and his men burst into the bedroom where the -valet was lying insensible. Whether Draga’s life might really have -been spared or not, it is impossible to say. The heroic woman’s -resolution was instantly taken. She knew that if the valet were -recognised there would at once be a hue and cry, and that the King -would be pursued and probably taken; and she resolved to give her -life for her husband’s. She cast herself on the inanimate form lying -on the bed, concealed the face in her arms, and allowed herself to be -stabbed by a dozen bayonets. - -[Illustration: “Queen Draga cast herself on the inanimate form on -the bed, concealed the face in her arms, and allowed herself to be -stabbed by a dozen bayonets.”] - -Of the savage details of the murder I dare not trust myself to write. -To those who know how thin is the veneer of civilisation on the -Southern Slaves, how faint is the moral difference between some of -these so-called Christians and their Mohammedan neighbours, it will -not come as a surprise to learn that when the bloodhounds desisted -from their work there was no longer any possibility of recognising -either of their victims. - -Of the young King, and what has become of him since that hideous -night, I intend to say no single word. Of her who perished, let no -man henceforth say anything but good. - - - - -X - -THE POLICY OF EDWARD VII. - - -It is always a delicate matter for a foreigner to write about the -Sovereign of another country in such a way as to be acceptable to -his subjects. In case I, a citizen of the United States, should -unwittingly offend any English prejudices in the following narrative, -I can only assure my readers that I am actuated by no feeling -but that of the most sincere respect for the greatest of living -Sovereigns and the mighty people over whom he reigns. - -In the summer of 1902 the whole world was dismayed by the news that -the Coronation of King Edward VII. had been postponed at the last -moment, on account of his Majesty’s grave state of health. - -The Governments of the Continent, ever distrustful, and prone to -credit others with their own Machiavellian statecraft, eagerly asked -themselves if the official explanation of this event was genuine, or -whether it did not conceal some subtle political purpose. - -As a result, I found myself commissioned by a certain great Power to -go over to London, and ascertain the true state of affairs. - -Needless to say, my inquiries enabled me in a very short time to -report to my employers that their suspicions were groundless. - -In the course of the brief investigation I was brought into personal -touch with a man of high rank, occupying a confidential position -in the Royal Household--the Marquis of Bedale. The manner in which -I carried out my delicate mission caused Lord Bedale to compliment -me highly upon my courage and discretion, and I have every reason -to think that his lordship spoke in favourable terms of me to his -exalted master. - -Before I left England I was surprised and gratified to receive a -request from Lord Bedale to wait upon him in his private apartment in -Buckingham Palace, on confidential business.[1] - -His lordship received me in the friendliest fashion, and talked to me -quite freely. - -‘Let me begin,’ he said, ‘by asking you for your frank opinion on our -Secret Service.’ - -‘The Secret Service of Great Britain is the most scrupulously -conducted in the world,’ I replied discreetly. - -Lord Bedale gave me a queer smile. - -‘That means, I suppose, that it is the most inefficient?’ he -suggested. - -‘It is the worst paid,’ I said, by way of extenuation. ‘I have -heard that the total amount voted for this purpose by the British -Parliament is only £40,000, but that sounds incredible.’ - -‘I am afraid it is not far from the truth,’ Lord Bedale answered. ‘We -have acted in the belief that the British Empire was too strong to -care about what its enemies were planning.’ - -‘I should think the Boer War must have made you realise that such a -policy was not the cheapest in the long run,’ I ventured to remark. - -‘It has shown _me_ so, at all events,’ he answered, ‘and possibly -some others. You will not offend me in the least, Monsieur V----, if -you tell me plainly that you consider our Intelligence Department the -weakest branch of our Foreign Service, and utterly unworthy of an -Empire with such world-wide interests as ours.’ - -I was obliged to admit that such was my opinion. His lordship -proceeded. - -‘This state of things constitutes a national danger. In a country -like ours, run on democratic lines, it is almost hopeless to look to -Parliament for any improvement. The only remedy is for some one who -has the interests of his country at heart to supplement the work of -the public service by a private intelligence department conducted at -his own expense, just as in the case of a newspaper proprietor.’ - -I gave the speaker a quick glance of interrogation. I happened to -be aware that the Marquis, in spite of his high rank, was not a -very wealthy man, and it was therefore clear to me that he was not -speaking of himself. - -‘Such a person as you describe would, indeed, deserve well of his -country,’ was all I thought it prudent to say. - -‘I shall be glad if you will consider me as the person concerned,’ -Lord Bedale said in a tone which warned me that I was on delicate -ground. ‘I have sent for you to ask if you will accept a commission -from me to act as a Secret Service agent in the interests of Great -Britain.’ - -I hesitated. It is my fixed rule to deal only with principals, and I -could not escape the conclusion that Lord Bedale was merely the agent -of another. - -‘Will you let me ask your lordship one question?’ I said. ‘Do you -offer me this commission as a private citizen solely, or am I at -liberty to infer, from your position in the Royal Household, that you -have no concealments from the exalted personage you serve, and that -by accepting your offer I shall, in effect, be serving his Majesty?’ - -The Marquis studied my face carefully before answering. - -‘It seems to me that such an inference is right and natural, and one -that you are bound to make,’ he said slowly. - -‘Then I shall feel highly honoured by accepting,’ I returned, bowing. - -The question of terms was disposed of to our mutual satisfaction. -I came away from the Palace filled with reverence for the monarch -who, unless I were completely deceived, had decided to contribute -out of his private purse to the defence of the great Empire whose -politicians were so neglectful of its safety. - -On my return to Paris I set to work to organise a special department -for the purpose of collecting intelligence likely to be of importance -to the British Empire. - -I was amused to find that several of the secret agents in the service -of the British Foreign Office were receiving much larger salaries -from the Russian Government than from the one they were supposed to -act for. Among other similar discoveries my agents reported to me -that a certain British Vice-Consul in the Euphrates Valley, a Greek -by extraction, had secretly taken out letters of naturalisation as a -German subject. It was on this man’s recommendation chiefly that the -British Government had been induced to give its countenance to the -project for a German railway to Baghdad. - -I duly forwarded this and other items to Lord Bedale, but I could not -perceive that any notice was taken of them by the Foreign Office. -Probably the permanent staff resented the idea that they were being -checked and inspected, and determined to show that they were not -going to let even their monarch interfere with them. - -But all this was merely preliminary. I was on the eve of a discovery -of so much moment that I have often asked myself since whether, but -for me, the British Empire would be in existence to-day. - -Newspaper readers may recollect that not very long ago a sharp -passage of words took place between a German Minister and an English -statesman whom I will not indicate more closely in the present -excited state of party politics. Although in appearance but a quarrel -of Ministers, it was perfectly well understood on the Continent that -the Count von Bülow was only the mouthpiece of his Imperial master -on this occasion. Europe gasped at the spectacle of this political -thunderstorm, in which the lurking hatred of Germany towards England -was for the first time brought to the surface, and exposed. - -I knew the character of both of these formidable peoples too well -to believe that the incident would have no after effects. As by the -glare of a lightning-flash, there stood revealed before me the -figures of the two great protagonists, contending together for the -mastery in a war raging over three continents. - -Very soon after Lord Bedale, or whoever stood behind him, had -confided the safety of Great Britain to my care, I repaired in -disguise to Berlin. My instinct taught me that this capital was the -true storm-centre, and that from here, rather than St. Petersburg, -would be directed the designs of any really dangerous movement -against the country of Edward VII. - -My first visit after my arrival was paid to the Director of the -Imperial Secret Service, my old friend Finkelstein. I felt it would -be impossible for me to remain long in the German capital without my -presence becoming known to this astute chief of police, and I deemed -it the most prudent course to throw him off his guard at the outset. - -I caused myself to be announced as Father d’Aurignac, of the Order -of the Assumptionists. My assumed character completely imposed on -Finkelstein, and I opened the conversation by saying-- - -‘I have come here in consequence of the persecution of the Order -now being carried on by the French Republic. We are obliged to seek -other homes, it being impossible for us to remain in France. A large -number of houses have been transferred to England, but my brethren -and I detest that country so much that we wish to settle in Germany -instead. I have been deputed to ascertain what treatment we are -likely to receive at the hands of the authorities.’ - -‘That is not in my department,’ Finkelstein answered. ‘You should -apply to the Minister of the Interior.’ - -‘You misunderstand me,’ I returned smoothly. ‘I do not doubt that -we shall be permitted to settle here. The question is, how much -independence we shall enjoy from police supervision. In France we -were always able to maintain exceedingly friendly relations with the -police. We are, of course, a very wealthy Order.’ - -Finkelstein’s eyes sparkled. I knew that he was in receipt of a -secret pension from the exiled claimant to the throne of a State -annexed by Prussia in 1866. It was evident that he was perfectly -ready to do business. - -‘You will find that the Berlin police exercise the greatest tact -towards communities of high character like yours,’ he said eagerly. - -I lay back in my chair and threw off my hood, as I observed-- - -‘My dear Finkelstein, I see that you are not changed.’ - -The Director’s consternation was quite laughable to witness. - -‘V----!’ he exclaimed, drawing back as if he had been stung; then he -added, in a tone of hesitation: ‘My old friend?’ - -‘Yes; your friend--and your ally, if you will accept him as such,’ I -said cordially. - -Finkelstein looked immensely relieved. He was well aware that the -Kaiser did not accord him his complete confidence, and he must have -feared that I had come to him, as on a former occasion, as the -Kaiser’s agent. - -‘My dear V----, any friendship and assistance that I can give you are -at your service at all times,’ he hastened to assure me. - -‘It is understood, then, is it not, that we are to stand by each -other? If I undertake to report favourably of you in a certain -quarter, you will give me your confidence?’ - -‘That is always understood between Secret Service agents who are men -of honour,’ the German responded. - -We shook hands with great warmth. - -‘Now,’ I said, ‘I can afford to be perfectly frank.’ - -Finkelstein glanced at me with the suspicion which such a declaration -was certain to provoke. - -‘I am here, this time, in the interests of Russia.’ - -The Director met my eye with a look of polite incredulity. - -[Illustration: “‘V----!’ he exclaimed, drawing back as if he had been -stung.”] - -‘Distrust has been awakened in the Russian Council of State by -this Venezuelan affair, in which Germany has been much too friendly -with England. It is necessary to ascertain exactly what the Kaiser’s -views and intentions really are. He is either deceiving the Tsar, or -deceiving the English, and I have to find out which. For this purpose -I must pass a night in the Emperor’s private cabinet.’ - -‘But surely that is not a difficult thing for you to manage,’ -observed Finkelstein, with evident distrust. ‘His Majesty trusts you -implicitly, does he not?’ - -‘He may trust me as a spy on you, and yet not confide to me his -political designs,’ I answered. ‘The truth is that the Kaiser is -on his guard. He knows that he is being watched, and just now he -distrusts everybody--his own police most of all,’ I added pointedly. - -The Director put his hand to his head, with a gesture of despair. - -‘It comes to this,’ he cried pathetically, ‘that unless I betray him -you will report to him that I am a traitor!’ - -‘You should have thought of that before you accepted the money of the -Duke of Heligoland,’ I retorted, naming the Royal exile referred to -above. - -The German sighed, and hung his head. - -‘The Russian Government is not less wealthy than the Order of -Assumptionists,’ I added. - -Finkelstein brightened up again. A man of such mercurial temperament -was most unfit for his position. - -As soon as it became a question of terms between us I knew that the -battle was won. The German really hated and feared Russia, like all -his countrymen, and had it been prudent to do so, I should have been -glad to relieve his mind. - -It was an easy matter for him to make the required arrangements. A -hint to the commander of the regiment which supplied the Palace guard -that some theft had taken place, and that a detective’s presence was -necessary, was sufficient. At the hour of eleven, the Kaiser’s time -for retiring, I found myself in the uniform of a Prussian soldier, -pacing the corridor which gave access to his Majesty’s cabinet. - -Secured from suspicion by the character in which I had entered the -Palace, I lost no time in unlocking the door of the room by means -of a key invented by myself. I must be excused from describing its -mechanism in these pages; but the only lock against which it is -powerless is the familiar letter padlock. - -As soon as I was inside I closed the door again. I did not venture -to turn on the electric light, but made use of a dark lantern I had -brought with me, to explore the chamber. - -In front of me stood his Majesty’s writing-table, covered with -despatch boxes. I considered it useless to open them, and turned my -eyes round the room in search of some more secret receptacle. - -At first no sign of anything of the kind I sought was visible. There -were cupboards, but they were not even locked. The walls were hung -with maps, among which my eye was particularly caught by a chart of -the world on Mercator’s projection, on which the various possessions -of Great Britain were indicated by small red flags attached to pins. -It seemed to me an ominous thing that such a map, so marked, should -be ever before the eyes of the ablest Continental ruler, who was -known to be feverishly at work building a navy fit to contend with -that of England. - -In a reflective mood I stepped towards the map and looked at it. The -flag which marked New Zealand had sagged down slightly, as though -less firmly thrust in than the rest. Without stopping to think what I -was doing, I took hold of the pin and pressed it into the wall. - -To my surprise I felt a resistance which at once accounted for the -loose position in which I had found the flag. I removed one of the -other pins, and found it went into the wall without any difficulty. -It was therefore clear that at the particular part of the wall -covered by New Zealand there existed some obstacle, probably of a -metallic nature. - -Once convinced of this, I had no doubt as to my next step. I drew -out the whole of the pins in the eastern portion of the chart, and -rolled it back. - -I was rewarded by the sight of a dark round patch on the wall-paper, -beneath which I could detect the presence of a metallic disk or knob. -I pressed it boldly, and a square section of the wall opened out on -a hinge, revealing a small cupboard, secured by a black seal showing -the impress of the Emperor’s signet, with which I was sufficiently -familiar. - -This discovery placed me in an awkward position. There was no time -for me to counterfeit the seal, and if I broke it, it was evident -that Wilhelm II. must know that his hiding-place had been tampered -with. - -The prudence I had shown in dealing with Finkelstein was now -invaluable to me. At the worst the Kaiser would learn that his -secrets were in the hands of a Russian spy, and my real employer -would be unknown. It was this reflection which emboldened me to -proceed. - -I broke the seal, opened the cupboard, and found a pile of papers -which I took to the writing-table to look through. - -The papers were enclosed in what is styled in Government Departments -a ‘jacket’--a large sheet of paper folded to form a cover. The -outside of this jacket was endorsed in the Kaiser’s well-known -hand--‘_European Zollverein_.’ - -[Illustration: “‘Arrest that man!’ the Kaiser commanded, without -giving him time to speak.”] - -Those words told me all. The daring brain of Wilhelm II. had revived -the idea which the great Napoleon embodied in his famous Milan -Decrees. The whole of the Powers of the Continent were to be united -in a Customs League against Great Britain. - -Russia and Austria, I saw, had eagerly welcomed the proposal. Spain -and Turkey, with the Balkan States, were also committed to it. So -were Belgium and Holland, the first in revenge for British criticism -of the Congo Free State, the second on account of the Boer War. -Sweden and Denmark were evidently disinclined to the scheme, but -unable to resist the pressure put upon them. Only three countries -still held out firmly--France, Italy, and Portugal. - -The opposition of France seemed to be due partly to the fact that -Great Britain was her largest customer, and partly to dislike of any -proposal coming from Germany. Italy and Portugal seemed to realise -that their own fate was bound up with that of England, and to view -with dread the prospect of weakening the British power. - -I had just finished reading the spirited protest of little Portugal, -contained in a private autograph letter from Dom Carlos to the German -Emperor, when the room was suddenly flashed with the full glare of -the electric light. I looked up and saw his Majesty standing before -me, in full uniform, with his sword drawn in his hand. - -I had reckoned without Wilhelm II. when I undertook my perilous -enterprise. The colonel of the guard, it appeared, had reported -that a detective had been admitted into the Palace by Finkelstein’s -request. The Kaiser had thought little of the matter at first, but -later on his curiosity had become too strong for him, and he had -decided to find out for himself what was going on. - -I confess that for the first and only time in my life I turned cold -with fear, as the sudden apparition of the armed Emperor burst on my -startled consciousness. - -‘Arrest that man!’ he commanded, without giving me time to speak. - -Two soldiers advanced from the corridor and pinioned me by the arms. -Then the Kaiser himself stepped forward, seized the papers I had been -studying, and thrust them into his breast. - -‘Order a firing-party with ball cartridges to get ready in the inner -courtyard,’ was the next command. - -All this time it was evident that the Kaiser had not recognised me. -Indeed, my disguise was so perfect that I felt quite secure on that -head. The question was whether it would make matters worse or better -for me if I revealed my identity. - -‘Now,’ his Majesty demanded, turning to me, ‘who are you, and what -are you doing here?’ - -[Illustration: “‘Now,’ said the Kaiser, stepping close to my side, -‘tell me the truth--the real truth, mind--and I will spare your -life.’”] - -‘Does your Majesty wish me to speak before these men?’ - -The Kaiser hesitated. - -‘Yes,’ he said at last; ‘speak out.’ - -I shrugged my shoulders. - -‘I am here as the agent of the Federal Council,’ I declared. The -Federal Council, as most readers will remember, is the Senate of -the German Empire. It represents more especially the dynasties of -Bavaria, Saxony, and the other small kingdoms united with Prussia to -form the modern Empire. - -Wilhelm II. started as I pronounced the name of this body. It is well -known that his Imperial Majesty does not enjoy the full confidence -of some of his satellite kings. In the army there has been a good -deal of friction beneath the surface. It was therefore not at all -improbable that the lesser royalties of Germany should have employed -a spy to detect the designs of their erratic and overbearing suzerain. - -‘Did you tell this to Herr Finkelstein?’ was the next question. - -‘No, sire.’ I was anxious to save the Director from the Imperial -wrath. ‘I persuaded him that I was your Majesty’s confidential agent.’ - -The Kaiser glared at me, and muttered an exclamation which I need not -repeat. - -‘How do I know that you are telling the truth to me, any more than -you did to him?’ he cried. - -‘Your Majesty cannot know it,’ I answered coldly. ‘The Council, of -course, will disown me.’ - -‘You are a cool hand,’ Wilhelm commented, gnawing his moustache. ‘It -seems to me that I can do nothing with you, except shoot you.’ - -‘That will be much the simplest course,’ I replied. I saw that it -would be a contest between the Emperor’s curiosity and his vengeance, -and already I began to hope. - -His Majesty gave the signal, and I was led out into the courtyard, -where I found six men under the command of an officer, drawn up in -line. - -I was placed in front of them, and as I looked down the rifle-barrels -already pointed at my heart I felt really nervous for a moment. The -scene was illuminated by a solitary lamp fixed over the gateway, and -its rays broke against the row of steel tubes which held death. - -‘Now,’ said the Kaiser, stepping close to my side, ‘tell me the -truth--the real truth, mind--and I will spare your life.’ - -I tried to think of something which Wilhelm II. would be likely -to believe. In the meantime, I congratulated myself on not having -disclosed my identity, as in that case, of course, it would not -have occurred to his Majesty that I could be induced to betray my -employer. - -He saw that I was hesitating, and fortunately mistook the reason. - -‘I will not only spare your life, but I will send you across the -frontier under an escort, and let you go free,’ his Majesty declared. - -I affected to yield reluctantly. - -‘My mission is not, strictly speaking, an official one. I am the -agent of an individual, who wishes to render a service to his -countrymen, without his action being publicly known. Your Majesty’s -recent alliance with Great Britain to blockade Venezuela has aroused -the fears of thoughtful American statesmen. It is suspected that you -may have other projects in which the interests of the United States -are concerned, and I have been instructed----’ - -‘By Theodore Roosevelt!’ the Kaiser exclaimed, falling back a pace or -two. - -I nodded. - -‘Your Majesty has guessed the truth. The project which I have -discovered among your papers does not concern the United States, and -I am therefore willing to undertake that it shall not be revealed to -the President.’ - -‘Enough,’ Wilhelm II. said in subdued tones. ‘I have passed my word.’ -He turned to the officer. ‘Take this man in irons to Hamburg, and -place him on board a British vessel.’ - -If I felt some compunction at the liberty I had taken with the name -of the United States President, I consoled myself with the assurance -that he would pardon me in view of the fact that I was acting in the -interest of the mother-country. - -My escort placed me on board a steamer bound for Hull, with an -intimation to the captain that my irons were not to be struck off -till the ship was out of the Elbe. - -The captain was naturally curious to learn who I was. I allowed him -to suppose that I was a Pole banished for sedition. Fortunately, I -had ample funds about me to defray my first-class passage, and I have -generally found in dealing with Englishmen that a Bank of England -note inspires more confidence than a testimonial from an Archbishop. - -As soon as the boat reached Hull I made the best of my way to -Balmoral, where Lord Bedale was staying in attendance on King Edward. - -Into his lordship’s astonished ears I poured the whole tale of my -discovery, passing over as lightly as possible the dangers through -which I had passed. - -Lord Bedale was much moved. - -‘I must thank you warmly for having kept the K----I mean, for having -kept my name out of this. The Emperor would certainly have suspected -that I was acting on King Edward’s behalf.’ - -‘It is possible,’ I said drily. - -The Marquis glanced at me and we both smiled. - -‘Enough!’ he said. ‘Remain in the neighbourhood, and I will see you -again in a day or two.’ - -The next time Lord Bedale sent for me his manner was entirely changed. - -‘Monsieur V----,’ he said, ‘I have related the whole of your -adventure to his Majesty, who has formed the highest opinion of your -tact and fidelity; so much so, that he has now instructed me to offer -you a mission on his own behalf.’ - -‘That will be the highest honour I could receive.’ - -‘His Majesty’s health is not yet fully recovered. In consequence, his -physicians have advised him to take a sea-voyage in the early part of -the year.’ - -‘I trust it will benefit his Majesty very greatly.’ - -‘The climate of the Mediterranean has been recommended.’ - -‘There is no pleasanter climate at that time of year.’ - -‘As his Majesty will be obliged to pass by the mouth of the Tagus, -it will seem discourteous if he does not land in Lisbon, and see the -King.’ - -‘His Majesty’s courtesy is proverbial.’ - -‘In visiting his Maltese subjects he will be so near Italy that King -Victor may expect to see him in Rome.’ - -‘That will be only natural.’ - -‘In case his Majesty should feel tired of so much sea, he may feel it -pleasanter to return overland.’ - -‘That will involve his passing through Paris.’ - -‘Exactly.’ - -Portugal, Italy, France--these were the three States which had made a -stand against the threatened alliance against the United Kingdom. I -looked at Lord Bedale and we understood one another. - -‘His Majesty proposes that you should visit each of these three -capitals in advance, and ascertain in a confidential way how he is -likely to be received, not merely by the head of the State, but by -the people themselves--the nation.’ - -‘I understand.’ - -‘King Edward desires to be received, not with formal courtesy, but -with the recognition due to the ambassador of the world’s peace.’ - -‘I shall bear that in mind.’ - -‘I may add that he only defers bestowing the Victorian Order on you -till he is able to do so in return for the services he now asks you -to render him.’ - -There is not much more for me to add. - -In Rome, as in Lisbon, I found there was little for me to do; the -name of King Edward was already on every tongue. Even in Paris, with -its jealous and reckless Press, I found that the British King was a -favourite with those who were most ready to criticise British policy. - -I had an interview with Father Loubet, as the French love to call -their homely peasant-President; the man who has proved once more that -sterling character counts for more in public life than rank or wealth -or intellectual cleverness. - -Later on I had the honour of accompanying the ruler of Britain on -his stately progress of peace. And as his coming was acclaimed in -capital after capital, and the nations so long sundered by senseless -rivalries shook hands, with their sovereigns, the angry Emperors -realised that England’s ‘splendid isolation’ was over, and that she -had resumed her historic _rôle_ of the champion of the weak, and -protector of the liberties of Europe. - -The glittering jewel pinned to my breast by the great Monarch’s own -hands was an unnecessary reward. To have served such a master was -enough. - - - - -XI - -THE HUMBERT MILLIONS - - -The Humbert Case, like the Dreyfus Case, is a _chose jugée_. - -Thérèse Humbert, one of the greatest women of the century, who united -the commanding personality of a Catherine the Great with the genius -for intrigue of a Catherine de Medicis, has been formally tried and -condemned, and is now secluded from the public eye. The journals of -the Boulevards pretend to be satisfied; and their credulous readers -are taught to believe that this remarkable affair was a vulgar -swindle, and that the famous millions had no existence except in the -mind of the arch-intriguer. - -It is under these circumstances that I find myself at length free to -make an announcement which I foresee must provoke a storm of denial -and denunciation. - -_I know what has become of the Humbert millions._ - -I do not make this declaration without having weighed the -consequences. If my part in this affair could be brought home to me -by legal proofs, it is possible that I should find myself in danger -of a penalty such as has been meted out to Madame Humbert herself. - -I believe, however, that I have sufficiently secured myself against -such a contingency. For many months past I have been engaged in a -duel of a singular character with the famous head of the French -police, M. Rattache: a duel of wits, in which the combatants have -kept on the mask of friendship, while exchanging thrusts and parries -with an assumption of perfect unconsciousness. - -In no step of her marvellous career, perhaps, did Thérèse Humbert -show more sagacity than in establishing relations with myself. -Accustomed as I am to act almost exclusively for crowned heads, or -ministers of state, I was the agent least likely to be suspected of -any connection with what wore the appearance of an ordinary police -affair. - -With the same prudence which marked nearly all her actions, Madame -Humbert refrained from coming to my office to engage my services, and -from asking me to visit her. Instead, I received what appeared to be -a casual invitation to dine with a banker, whom I will call Baron -Y----. - -Baron Y---- was a man whom I knew but slightly, but his house enjoyed -a good reputation, and he moved in the best society of the financial -world. He was noted for his entertainments, and therefore I was -surprised on this occasion to find only three other persons present, -besides the members of the family. - -The three other guests were M. Bas-Riviére, an ex-member of the -Waldeck-Rousseau Ministry, the Marquis des Saintes Roches, a -distinguished Legitimist, that is to say, a member of the party which -aims at the restoration of the Bourbons, and--Thérèse Humbert. - -At this time the voice of rumour was already busy with Madame -Humbert’s name; but though assailed, she still maintained a bold -front, and her enemies had not yet been able to touch her. - -It did not occur to me that her presence at the dinner had any -significance, but I studied her with that interest which her -reputation naturally excited. Impassive, almost stolid in her -demeanour, and speaking but little, Madame Humbert impressed me -more than any woman I have ever met, with the single exception of -the Dowager Empress of China. I will not say that I felt awed by -this extraordinary personage, but I recognised in her one of those -commanding personalities which overrule all who are brought into -touch with them. - -After dinner Baron Y---- led us through some of the rooms in his -superb mansion, to view the pictures and curiosities which his wealth -had enabled him to gather together. - -[Illustration: “‘I am going to ask you to undertake a service of an -unusual kind.’”] - -Somehow or other Madame Humbert contrived to fall gradually behind -the rest of the party, keeping me by her side. I did not realise -that this was a deliberate manœuvre, until, just as the others were -passing out of a small Turkish smoking-room, my companion abruptly -laid her hand on my arm, and whispered in my ear-- - -‘Let us remain here a moment, if you please, Monsieur V----. I have -something which I wish to say to you.’ - -Even then it did not at first dawn on me that the whole entertainment -had been arranged for the single purpose of enabling Madame Humbert -to interview me without attracting the notice of the police, who were -already beginning to take an interest in her movements. - -‘Let us sit down,’ the custodian of the mysterious millions said with -authority. ‘What I have to say to you will take some time.’ - -Observe, she did not admit the possibility of my objecting to receive -her confidences. She had made up her mind that I was the agent -necessary for her purpose, and it was only left to me to obey. - -I took a seat beside her without speaking. Magnetised by her strange -power, it did not occur to me to lay down any conditions in advance. - -‘I am going to ask you to undertake a service of an unusual kind. You -will run some risks, and I shall be obliged to trust you implicitly.’ - -‘Madame,’--I began to protest. She silenced me with a superb gesture. - -‘I have not asked you for assurances, monsieur. If I have chosen you -in preference to any of my friends, even men of the highest honour, -like M. des Saintes Roches, depend upon it I know what I am about. Do -not interrupt me, but listen. In my safe at this moment I have notes -and securities to the value of two hundred millions of francs.’ - -Two hundred millions! That is to say, in English money, £8,000,000! I -stared at her in amazement--almost in disbelief. She went on speaking -with the most perfect composure, as if nothing out of the ordinary -were being discussed. It was this self-command, this air of the -commonplace with which she invested the most fantastic statements, -which constituted the secret of her power. - -‘This sum, which originally amounted to only one hundred and twenty -millions, does not belong to me. It is a sacred deposit, intrusted -to me many years ago, since which time the interest has steadily -accumulated.’ - -‘But, then, whose----?’ I tried to put in. But Madame Humbert would -not permit me to speak. - -‘It is useless to question me, monsieur. Think what you like -concerning the true ownership of this money, but do not expect me -to enlighten you. All that it is necessary for you to know is that -these millions constitute a war fund, to be employed in a certain -event, and on behalf of a cause which I was brought up to hold dearer -than life.’ - -‘A war fund!’ I could not resist exclaiming. - -My companion ignored the interruption. - -‘From which it follows that the whole sum must always be available, -at an hour’s notice, in the hands of a trusty agent. Hitherto I have -been that agent; but I have met with misfortunes, and a danger has -arisen that this sum may fall into the hands of my private creditors.’ - -She paused for a moment, and then added, in a less firm tone-- - -‘The custody of this vast sum has been my ruin. In order to use it -to advantage I was obliged to invent all sorts of fables to account -for its being in my possession. People insisted on treating me as a -rich woman, they forced loans upon me; I considered it permissible -to borrow money on the security of this fortune of which I was -merely the guardian; I managed my own affairs badly--in short I -am insolvent, and shall shortly be obliged to go into hiding. My -creditors have asked the Courts for an order to open the safe which -contains the millions, and unless they are removed in time I shall -have incurred the vengeance of those whose cause I have betrayed.’ - -She shuddered. Thérèse Humbert, the strong-minded, imperturbable -woman who had witnessed suicides committed on her account, trembled -as she referred to this vengeance, which was so much more terrible to -her than any penalties in the power of the French Courts to impose. - -‘In a word, Monsieur V----,’ she resumed, throwing off her momentary -weakness, ‘you must relieve me of the custody of this treasure.’ - -I sat as if mesmerised while I received this staggering proposal, -which the extraordinary personage beside me made in the -matter-of-fact tone of one who is asking another to undertake the -posting of a letter. - -This woman, whom I had never seen before, who was beginning to be -publicly branded as an adventuress, and who had just confessed -herself to be a bankrupt, if not something which the law would call -by a harsher name--this woman calmly informed me that she proposed -handing over to me a sum equal to the revenue of a kingdom, to be -held, as far as I could see, for an unknown length of time, for an -unknown owner, and for an unknown purpose. - -If it had been any other person in the world who had made me such a -proposition, I am certain that I should have laughed at it as a hoax, -or, at least, demanded the most circumstantial details and assurances -before going further. What was there about this Thérèse Humbert, with -her figure of a bourgeois, her expressionless face, and cold grey -eye, which compelled me to take her seriously--which made me, against -my judgment, submit to become her instrument? In the power of the -human will there are mysteries which philosophy has not yet fathomed. - -It is true that at this time Madame Humbert still retained the -confidence of a very large section of society. There had, as yet, -been no hint of any criminal proceedings against her. Even if there -had been, moreover, she had so clearly separated her position as -trustee of the millions from her private dealings, that she had -convinced me that I could carry out her instructions with regard -to the fund, without being guilty of any dishonesty towards the -creditors who were proceeding against her. - -Be that as it may, I consented to consider the matter. - -My companion at once set herself to extract from me a definite -undertaking. - -‘There is no time to lose,’ she insisted. ‘Although I am exhausting -every legal form, in order to postpone the decision, my advocate has -warned me that I must not expect it to be delayed much longer. I -shall not be easy till the millions are safely in your hands.’ - -‘And when I have received them, what then?’ I asked. ‘Will it not be -known that the sum is in my possession, and shall I not be exposed to -proceedings in my turn?’ - -‘That is what we have got to avoid,’ was the answer. ‘It will be -necessary for you to take the money with the greatest secrecy. -Fortunately, this is not an affair of bankers. The notes and bills -are lying ready in the safe in my house, and do not require to be -endorsed. You will not be asked for a receipt even.’ - -I was more and more overcome by the sublime daring of this woman’s -ideas. - -‘Then you simply wish me to take the fund from you and hold it at -your disposal?’ - -‘At the disposal of those to whom it belongs,’ Thérèse corrected me. -‘When the time comes to reclaim these millions I may be out of reach. -That will not matter to you. All you will have to do is to keep the -treasure in some safe hiding-place, and deliver it up to the first -person who comes to you and pronounces in your ear three words.’ - -She bent her lips towards me and whispered three words of such -notable significance that I was left in little doubt as to the -purpose for which the mysterious hoard was being kept in readiness. - -Although the light thus obtained served to relieve my mind of the -fear that I was mixing in any vulgar swindle, yet at the same time it -showed me that there were grave risks to be run, and that I might -easily find myself in the meshes of the criminal law. - -I again asked for time to consider. Madame Humbert’s sole reply was -an offer of terms so liberal that it would have been quarrelling with -my profession to refuse. She smiled with grim satisfaction as she -read in my face that I gave in. - -‘Then that is settled, monsieur,’ she remarked, preparing to rise. ‘I -will only add that the sooner you get to work the better it will be -for everybody.’ - -‘When do you propose to hand the millions over to me?’ was my natural -question. - -‘I do not propose to hand them over to you at all,’ she responded -coolly. ‘You will take the money out of the safe in your own fashion, -and without consulting me.’ - -I gazed at her in consternation. - -‘You mean that I should steal this two hundred millions!’ I gasped. - -‘That will be the best plan, I think,’ said Madame Humbert with an -approving nod. - -I have been concerned in some curious transactions in my time, and -in some dangerous ones, but now I felt that I was fairly out of -my depth. I knew that I was nothing to Thérèse Humbert; and if it -suited her convenience to use me as a cat’s-paw in the game she was -playing with the authorities I might very well find myself in an ugly -situation. - -What, for example, could be easier than for this accomplished -intriguer to set a trap for me; have me arrested, perhaps, in the -attempt to break into an empty safe, and thus establish a defence for -herself? She would be able to pose as the victim of a robbery; and I -should be held responsible for the disappearance of these millions -whose existence was in dispute. - -I felt my companion’s eyes fixed on my face in watchful scrutiny -as these reflections passed through my mind. My decision was taken -swiftly. - -‘You shall hear from me in the morning, madame,’ I said sharply, -rising from my seat. ‘Till then, _au revoir_.’ - -And I went out of the room, and out of the house, without giving her -an opportunity to press me further. - -When the morning came I was seated in my office as usual, engaged in -deciphering a confidential cable from the President of Colombia, when -my secretary entered the room and informed me that a veiled lady, who -declined to give her name, wished to see me in private. - -‘Show Madame Humbert in,’ I said, emphasising the name. - -[Illustration: “My visitor started as she heard her name, and threw -up her veil with a gesture of astonishment and indignation.”] - -The secretary, who understood what was required of him, went out, -and immediately returned with the visitor. - -‘Madame Humbert,’ he announced with as much confidence as if the -great Thérèse had intrusted him with her card. - -On the previous night Madame Humbert had enjoyed the superiority over -me, I confess it. This morning the tables were turned, and I had -brought off the first _coup_. - -My visitor started as she heard her name, and threw up her veil with -a gesture of astonishment and indignation combined. - -‘Madame Humbert!’ I cried, pretending to be equally surprised. Then, -as the secretary retired, I added--‘This publicity, is it quite -prudent, my dear madame?’ - -Thérèse gave me a glance in which I read something like fear, as she -dropped into a seat. - -‘But I don’t understand, Monsieur V----. I don’t know how that young -man learned who I was.’ - -I shrugged my shoulders. - -‘It is the business of my staff to penetrate mysteries, madame. But -you may depend on my secretary’s discretion. It will be awkward if -the police have followed you here, however. If M. Rattache were -to learn that we had been in communication, I might be obliged to -withdraw from the case.’ - -Madame Humbert clasped her hands in agitation. Her demeanour was no -longer that of the cold, masterful woman who had conversed with me in -Baron Y----’s smoking-room. - -‘Listen, monsieur! Is it possible that you do not guess the object of -my visit?’ - -‘Unless it is to give me further instructions on the subject of your -affair, no.’ - -Thérèse wrung her hands. - -‘It is to tell you, on the contrary, that everything is lost. At the -very moment that we were talking together, a real robber, unknown to -me, was rifling my safe of everything!’ - -‘You are serious, madame, I suppose?’ - -‘Serious!’ It is impossible to describe the tragedy in her voice and -air. ‘I tell you, monsieur, that I left Baron Y----’s within an hour -of speaking to you. I drove straight home, went to the safe, opened -it, and found inside a button and a centime.’ - -‘Really!’ - -Madame Humbert gazed at me desperately. - -‘You do not believe me, perhaps, monsieur? Yet I swear to you as a -Christian woman--I swear as a mother--that there were two hundred -millions of francs in that safe when I came to dine at Baron Y----’s.’ - -‘I have not the least doubt of it, madame.’ - -‘Then what do you suspect?’ - -‘It is clear to me that you have been robbed since.’ - -‘By whom?’ - -‘By some one in your confidence, perhaps. Some one to whom you had -confided the guardianship of this fund, in which his Royal Highness -the ---- of ---- is so much interested.’ - -Madame Humbert glared at me in anger. - -‘You are mocking me,’ she cried fiercely. ‘I came here to ask if you -would undertake the recovery of this money from the thief.’ - -‘That is unnecessary, madame. All that your friends have to do is to -approach him, and breathe in his ear the three words, ---- ---- ----.’ - -‘But if we do not know who he is!’ cried the distracted plotter. - -‘Oh, if you only require to know who he is, that is soon settled. I -will send you the name of the robber on the day on which your affair -terminates in the Courts.’ - -A light began to break upon the mind of the excited woman. - -‘Monsieur V----!’ she exclaimed. ‘Is it possible----?’ - -I drew myself up. - -‘Silence, if you please, madame. I have made you a promise which I -shall know how to keep. In the meantime it is clear that we have -nothing more to say to one another, and that the sooner you are out -of this building the better it will be for all parties.’ - -Madame Humbert rose, gave me a glance in which curiosity, respect, -and apprehension were strangely mingled, and quitted my presence -without venturing to say another word. - -I have never seen her since. - -The following day, as I entered my private room at the usual hour, -I was conscious of a singular impression, in the nature of a -presentiment. Some men possess a sense, more subtle than sight or -smell, by means of which they are able to detect a personal presence, -more especially one hostile to themselves. I have been well served -by an instinct of this kind on more than one occasion, and now it -asserted itself so strongly that for an instant I believed that there -must be some one hiding in my room. - -A glance around removed this suspicion. Everything was in its place -as usual--was even _more_ in its place than usual, if I may be -permitted the hyperbole. - -I went to the secret drawer in which I kept the cipher despatches -concerning the Panama affair (on which I was engaged about this time). - -It seemed to me that the spring worked a little _more_ smoothly than -when I had last opened the drawer. The papers inside lay exactly as -I had left them overnight. Struck by a sudden thought, I pulled the -drawer right out, lit a match, and examined the dusty floor of the -recess. - -I was rewarded by the sight of one--two--three distinct prints of -finger-tips in the dust. - -That sight, of course, told me everything. My office had been -ransacked during the night by the French police, and those prints had -been left by fingers tapping in search of the hiding-place of the -Humbert millions. - -It was a startling thing to find M. Rattache so swiftly on my trail, -and I inwardly cursed the imprudence which had permitted Madame -Humbert to pay me her tell-tale visit. I put on my hat and hurried -round to the little apartment in the Quartier Latin which I use for -appointments with persons whom it would be inexpedient to receive -openly. As I expected, I found M. Rattache had been before me. His -myrmidons had done their work no less thoroughly here than at my -headquarters. - -I always enjoy a struggle with a foe worthy of my steel, and this -was by no means my first bout with the famous detective force of -Paris. On my first settling in Paris, their attentions to me had been -incessant and disagreeable, and it had taken all my ingenuity to -keep my secrets from them. By degrees we had drifted into a species -of informal armistice, it being understood, rather than agreed, -that they abandoned the attempt to follow my proceedings, while I -refrained from acting against them in the criminal affairs with which -they were chiefly concerned. - -Between M. Rattache, the brilliant head of the force, and myself -there had sprung up a warm private friendship, based on mutual -respect. I knew that he would not have permitted his men to trouble -me without pretty good grounds for so doing; and this made me the -more anxious. - -My first thought, after visiting the Quartier Latin, was for my -private residence. I felt pretty sure that the police could not have -been there in the night without my knowledge, and I asked myself what -plan the fertile brain of my rival would devise in order to search -the premises without giving me warning. - -I hailed a fiacre, and bade the driver go to my house at his best -speed. It was not yet eleven o’clock, so there was room for hope that -M. Rattache had not begun his attack in this quarter. If he had, I -should probably catch his men at work. - -As we drew near the street in which my house is situated we were -overtaken by a fire-engine, which dashed by at a gallop. Struck by -a sudden apprehension, I offered my driver a golden _pourboire_ to -double his speed. - -[Illustration: “I was stopped at the barricade by a pompous sergeant -of police.”] - -It was too late. As we drove up I beheld a thick black column of -smoke issuing from my house. A barricade had been formed; half a -dozen fire-engines were drawn up in front, though it was remarkable -that not one had yet begun to play upon the building; and every floor -appeared to be swarming with firemen, who were gutting the house of -everything it contained. - -In spite of my vexation at the sight of my ruined home, I could -not withhold my tribute of admiration to M. Rattache’s promptness -and resource. Under the pretence of a fire, which he had of course -contrived to start, and which was well under control, he had turned -in a horde of detectives, disguised as firemen, with instructions to -pull the building to pieces, if necessary, in search of the Humbert -millions. - -It was useless for me to think of interfering. I was stopped at the -barricade by a pompous sergeant of police, who took down my name -and address, rebuked me severely for my negligence in permitting my -house to catch fire, and forbade me to interrupt the firemen in their -benevolent labours on my behalf. - -Walking to and fro on the pavement, and scrutinising every article -brought out from the building by his assistants, I perceived M. -Rattache himself. In a minute he caught sight of me, and came towards -me with extended arms. - -He knew, of course, that I thoroughly understood the game. -Nevertheless, his expression of sympathetic distress was perfect. - -‘My dear V----! What an unlucky chance! Behold me overwhelmed with -grief at your misfortune!’ - -‘You are too good,’ I returned drily. ‘There is nothing of any value -in the house, I am glad to say. This accident will merely give me the -annoyance of sleeping in a hotel for the next few nights.’ - -‘Do not say that, my dear colleague,’ M. Rattache responded eagerly. -‘You will confer a real favour on me by consenting to accept my -hospitality for a short time, till your house is ready for you again.’ - -I glanced at him with suspicion. Did this mean that I was to be under -arrest? - -‘I cannot thank you sufficiently for such kindness,’ was my answer. -‘But I am afraid I should cause you too much inconvenience. My hours -are very irregular; sometimes it is necessary for me to be at my -office in the middle of the night.’ - -‘Do not let yourself be restrained by such considerations,’ he -replied earnestly. ‘You shall be as free as if you were under your -own roof.’ - -It would have been ungracious to persist in my refusal, especially -as I fancied from M. Rattache’s tone that he had already come to -the conclusion that his raid on my house was a mistake, and really -regretted the inconvenience he had caused me. - -On the whole, the arrangement was not such a bad one for me. While I -should have been exposed to the surveillance of my antagonist in any -case, this plan would place him under mine. We should be like the -combatants in the holmgang, who were strapped together, and placed on -a small island, to hack each other to pieces with knives. - -I moved into my new quarters the same day, some of my personal -baggage being brought round by the pretended firemen, who must have -wondered to see me on such terms with their chief. Rattache presented -me to his wife, a most charming woman with three little daughters, -whose hearts I immediately won by organising all sorts of games at -blindman’s buff and hide-and-seek. - -During the next few days I received cipher wires from my various -agents abroad, informing me that their apartments had been searched, -and that they were being shadowed by unknown men. - -I was pleased with these despatches, which proved to me that my men -were on the alert. I sent encouraging replies, and persuaded Madame -Rattache to accompany me to the theatre. - -I had already visited a Turkish bath in company with my host, in -order to afford him every facility for ascertaining that I was not -carrying any portion of the £8,000,000 on my person. - -At the end of a month my house was in perfect order again. M. -Rattache was beginning to feel a little uneasy, perhaps, at my great -progress in the friendship of madame, for he raised no objection when -I proposed to bring my stay with him to a close. The little girls -were in despair at my going, and Madame Rattache earnestly pressed me -to come and see them frequently. - -Months passed away, and France and Europe were absorbed in learning -of the sudden flight of the Humberts, the discovery of the empty -safe, the capture of the fugitives, and the trial and sentence of the -majestic Thérèse. - -As she was leaving the dock at the end of the case, one of the -warders slipped into her hand a piece of paper which contained simply -my initials--A. V. - -I had gone straight from Baron Y----’s house, at the end of our -conversation, to the Humbert mansion, gained admittance by means -of the master-key which I usually carry about me, opened the safe -without the least difficulty, and carried off its contents--all -before Madame Humbert had left the Baron’s door. - -[Illustration: “The chief detective came close up to me, put his -mouth to my ear, and whispered, ‘_Le drapeau blanc!_’”] - -This instantaneous action, which I had considered necessary for my -own protection, turned out to be the best possible course for the -safety of the millions. Now I had redeemed my promise to Madame -Humbert, by admitting that I was in possession of the lost -treasure, and I waited confidently for the person who should come to -claim it. - -Exactly two days afterwards I was surprised by a visit from M. -Rattache, whom I had not seen for some time, a slight coolness having -resulted from his abortive efforts to surprise my secret. - -The chief detective, instead of taking the chair I offered him, came -close up to me, put his mouth to my ear, and whispered: ‘_Le drapeau -blanc!_’ - -The white flag! Is there any English reader who does not know that in -France the white flag signifies the ancient standard of the Valois -and the Bourbons--the inseparable emblem of Legitimist royalty, which -the Comte de Chambord refused to exchange for the Revolutionary -tricolor, even to obtain the throne? - -I stared at M. Rattache, confounded to find in the head of the -Republican police the confidential agent of the Monarchists. - -He enjoyed my astonishment for a minute in silence. Then he said -aloud-- - -‘Now, my dear V----, perhaps you will reveal to me the secret of that -hiding-place which has baffled the efforts of my best men for so -long.’ - -I smiled quietly as I took up my hat. - -‘On first receiving this fund I simply put the notes and bills -in a registered parcel and sent it to my agent in Brussels, with -instructions to put it in a fresh cover and send it to and fro -through the post till further notice. But on finding that you were -interested in my correspondence I naturally adopted another plan. -I will take you at once to the spot where I have deposited these -millions, which I shall not be sorry to get rid of.’ - -I led the way out into the street, called a fiacre, and whispered an -address into the driver’s ear. - -It was my turn to enjoy the discomfiture of my colleague, as the -carriage drew up before his own door. - -‘Here!’ was all he could gasp. - -I paid the driver and dismissed him. - -‘Surely there could be no spot more safe from the perquisitions of -the police,’ I answered mockingly. - -M. Rattache conducted me in, and led the way towards his study. - -‘Not that way,’ I objected. ‘It is necessary for us to go upstairs.’ - -With ever-deepening chagrin M. Rattache followed me, as I ascended to -the schoolroom in which his little daughters were at play with their -dolls. - -They rushed to embrace me with exclamations of joy. - -‘Isabel,’ I said to the eldest, a bright girl of twelve, ‘now you -shall show the others the hiding-place where we put the box of -bricks.’ - -A cry of delight greeted this proposal. Isabel ran gaily in front to -lead the party into her own little bedroom, where, under a loose -plank, which this observant child had discovered, and the knowledge -of which she had kept to herself with that marvellous secrecy of -which children are sometimes capable, lay--the Humbert millions! - -Isabel was a little disappointed to find, when the box was opened, -that her bricks had been changed into stupid pieces of paper. But I -explained that a fairy had been at work, and that a new and better -set of bricks would arrive by the next post. - -And so, I am relieved to say, terminated my connection with the -Humbert Case. - - - - -XII - -THE BLACK POPE - - -I must be pardoned if I exercise a certain reserve in telling the -story of the most delicate of all the affairs in which I have been -engaged. While the interests concerned were, in their own nature, -purely political, the fact that they centred round the spiritual Head -of Christendom imposes on me restraints which I am bound to recognise. - -I cannot recall at this moment whether, in the course of these -reminiscences, I have had occasion to mention that I was honoured on -several occasions by the confidence of the illustrious Pontiff who, -in the course of less than a generation, exalted the Papacy to a -height of power and reverent esteem such as it had scarcely enjoyed -since the Middle Ages. - -To me, as to all who have paid any attention to the history of their -own times, the passing away of Leo XIII. marked an epoch in the -history of the world. I was in Paris, awaiting the announcement which -would plunge two continents into mourning, when, an hour before the -fatal bulletin reached the newspaper offices, I received a despatch -desiring me to start immediately for Rome, and wait upon the young -King of Italy in the Palace of the Quirinal. - -Whether in consequence of my connection with the Vatican or not, it -happened that I had never been directly employed in the service of -the House of Savoy. I have told the story of my unavailing efforts to -save the life of King Humbert; but on that occasion I acted as the -agent of the friendly monarch of another country. - -During my journey to Rome in obedience to the royal summons, my mind -was deeply exercised by the problem presented by the disastrous -breach between the Italian Kingship and the Papacy. - -When the troops of Victor Emmanuel I., thirty-four years ago, marched -into the City of the Popes, to make it the capital of United Italy, -no one foresaw the difficulties which would flow from the refusal of -the Popes to abandon their rights as the temporal Sovereigns of Rome -and the States of the Church. - -Other dethroned sovereigns have fled from their lost dominions, and -gradually sunk out of sight. But the Popes, seated in the Vatican, -and solemnly excommunicating the dynasty which has displaced them, -have rendered insecure the whole fabric of the Italian monarchy. - -I myself, divided between my political sympathies as an American -citizen, and my loyalty as a Catholic to the Head of my Church, had -often sought in vain for some way of reconciling the venerable rights -of the Chair of Peter with the patriotic aspirations of the Italian -people. - -The various solutions put forward from time to time, such as the -cession to the Pope of a small slice of territory including the -Vatican, seemed to me inadequate and mean. Some loftier treatment -of the situation seemed to be called for, but no statesman, -ecclesiastical or secular, had yet been found to propose it. - -Now, with the accession of a new Pope, it was possible to indulge -hopes of a new policy. I encouraged myself to believe that Victor -Emmanuel II. had sent for me that I might assist him in such an -endeavour. - -The character of this young ruler had already aroused my interest -and curiosity. In his father’s lifetime he was unknown to the public -until he suddenly stepped into the foreground, at the time of the -Abyssinian disasters, as the determined opponent of Crispi’s policy -of adventure, and the champion of peace. - -Since his accession he had won golden opinions by his modesty, -benevolence, and practical energy in the work of government. But -he had as yet given no indications of any marked individuality or -policy of his own. - -Within an hour of my arrival in Rome I found myself in his Majesty’s -presence. - -His reception of me was not merely gracious but cordial. In a few -well-chosen words he thanked me for my services at the time of the -tragedy of Monza. - -‘I believe you have been employed in the secret service of the -Vatican?’ King Victor proceeded. - -I bowed again. - -‘Will you tell me whether that constitutes any obstacle to your -serving me?’ he inquired. - -I hesitated. - -‘I should feel embarrassed if your Majesty were to ask me to act -_against_ the Vatican,’ I ventured to say. - -‘But suppose I were to ask you to undertake the office of mediator, -to promote a reconciliation between the Papacy and the Italian -nation?’ - -‘Then, sire, you would be offering me the task which I covet above -all others, and which I should feel to be the crown of my career.’ - -The young King made a gesture of delight. - -‘That is fortunate indeed! Listen, monsieur! From a boy my heart has -bled at the thought of this miserable estrangement, so fraught with -danger to the cause of religion as well as to the national freedom. -In addition I must tell you that I feel very deeply my own position. -I have a conviction that our House cannot prosper while it remains -under the curse of the Church. - -‘As far as I am concerned,’ Victor Emmanuel went on, ‘there is no -sacrifice I am not prepared to make, even to the laying down of -my crown, in order to win the forgiveness of the Holy See, and to -establish good relations between the Church and the nation. But I -need not say that I can do nothing by myself. Unless I can succeed in -carrying the Parliament and the people with me, I should simply make -things worse than they are at present.’ - -His Majesty paused for a minute, and then resumed, watching my face -anxiously. - -‘I have been seeking for years for some means of appeasing the Holy -Father that would not be rejected by the secular politicians. And the -plan which has developed itself in my mind is this:-- - -‘In the Middle Ages, perhaps I need not remind you, the Popes enjoyed -but a scanty authority in the Roman States. Their authority was -defied by the usurping barons, and even in the City of Rome they -frequently saw authority exercised by the senate and people. Yet at -the very same epoch they were wielding tremendous powers over Europe; -they were able to dethrone emperors; a King of England laid down -his crown at the feet of a Papal Legate; and the Kings of Naples -acknowledged the suzerainty of the Popes by an annual tribute.’ - -I began to see what was coming, and testified my admiration by a -glance. - -‘I propose,’ King Victor said impressively, ‘to acknowledge the Holy -Father as the suzerain of the Italian kingdom. I am prepared to lay -my crown at his feet, and to receive it again as his gift. I propose -to hold myself as the vassal of his Holiness, to pay a tribute, -instead of the pension which has been refused, and to exercise my -power of veto over legislation in obedience to the Pope’s directions. -In short, I am willing to efface myself, and to govern Italy as the -deputy of the Holy See.’ - -I listened with deep emotion to the noble young King as he unfolded -his scheme, a scheme in which it was evident that he intended himself -to be the sacrifice which would procure peace. At the same time I -perceived certain difficulties in the way. The successors of St. -Peter, in modern times at all events, had been accustomed to rule -over their limited dominions as absolute monarchs. Was it to be -hoped that they would consent to accept a constitutional authority -in exchange, even though that authority extended over the whole -peninsula? - -Yet the See of Rome, as suzerain of Italy, would be able to re-enter -the field of international politics as a great Power. Alliances might -follow which would place the Pope in the position of president -over a great Catholic league embracing Austria, Spain, Portugal, -Belgium, and possibly France as well, to say nothing of the powerful -leverage which the Church was able to exercise over the policy of -semi-Catholic powers, such as Germany, Great Britain, and the United -States. - -Carried away by these dazzling visions, I exclaimed aloud-- - -‘I believe in your Majesty! If only the new Pope will accept your -plans!’ - -King Victor flushed with gratification at my outburst. - -‘That is the task I am going to intrust to you,’ he announced. ‘I -have made careful inquiries, and I believe there is one Cardinal who, -if he were elected, would be likely to welcome my overtures.’ - -‘And his name, sire?’ - -‘Cardinal Sarto, the Patriarch-Archbishop of Venice.’ - -My face fell. I had scarcely heard of his Eminence of Venice by -name. Certainly he was not among those cardinals--the _Papabili_, -as they are termed--whose candidature was taken seriously by the -ecclesiastical politicians of the Vatican. - -‘Is Cardinal Sarto a possible candidate, sire?’ I ventured to object. - -‘You must make him so,’ King Victor said earnestly. ‘I rely on you to -secure his election.’ - -Although not lacking in self-confidence, I shrank before this -tremendous task. Apart from my scruples as a Catholic--and I was by -no means sure how far it was lawful for a layman to interfere in a -Papal election--I doubted my power to influence the choice of the -Sacred College in the short time at my disposal. - -‘In ten days from now the Conclave will begin,’ I murmured -reflectively. - -‘I know it,’ broke in Victor Emmanuel. ‘I want you to be present in -the Conclave as my secret agent.’ - -I trembled. The secrecy of the Conclave is guarded with the greatest -care. In what way could I possibly gain admission to the private -deliberations of the Cardinals? - -The King answered my unspoken doubts. - -‘In ten days the Cardinals will enter the Conclave, each with a -single attendant, and the door will be walled up, not to be reopened -until Christendom again has a Pope. It is necessary for you to be -inside that walled-up door.’ - -‘I must enter in the character of attendant to one of the Cardinals!’ -I exclaimed. - -‘You must enter as the servant of Cardinal Salvatierra,’ his Majesty -declared. - -I frowned slightly. It seemed to me that my employer, in his -enthusiasm, was going a little too fast. I did not like having so -much arranged for me in advance. This Cardinal Salvatierra, who was -he; and in what way had he come to lend himself to the purpose of the -King of Italy? - -‘Does the Cardinal enjoy your Majesty’s confidence?’ I asked drily. - -‘Not in the sense that you do, Monsieur V----,’ the King answered. -‘Salvatierra is one of the ornamental members of the College. He -is a scholar and antiquarian, not a Churchman or politician. His -collection of intaglios is said to be the finest in Rome.’ - -‘May I venture to ask how much his Eminence has been told?’ - -‘Only that I desire the election of a Pope who will be well disposed -towards Italy. It has always been customary for the Sacred College -to receive representations from the Catholic Powers of their views -and wishes on the subject of Papal election. The only irregularity in -this case is that, as the Italian kingdom is not recognised by the -Papacy, I can only communicate with the College indirectly.’ - -[Illustration: “I found the Cardinal absorbed in the inspection of -his newly arrived treasures.”] - -I listened to his Majesty with considerable inward misgiving. I -was more than a little afraid of the guilt I might be incurring by -entering the Conclave. At the same time I told myself that Cardinal -Salvatierra had a right to introduce whom he pleased as his -attendant; and if he was satisfied to take me, it was not for me to -raise objections. - -After some further conversation with his Majesty, I retired to a -hotel and effected a transformation which gave me the appearance of a -respectable upper servant, such as a steward or valet, in an Italian -noble family. Thus attired, I made my way round to the Salvatierra -Palace, and sent up my name to his Eminence as Jacopo Luigi. - -‘I doubt if his Eminence will receive you to-night,’ the porter -informed me. ‘A case of exquisite cameos of untold value has just -arrived for his collection--a gift from some great personage, I -believe; and his Eminence is hard at work unpacking them.’ - -I had my own suspicion as to the source of this truly regal offering, -and felt more than ever uneasy as to the lawfulness of my proceedings. - -However, it was not long before a message came down that I was to go -up and wait upon his Eminence at once. - -I found the Cardinal absorbed in the inspection of his newly arrived -treasures. Holding a delicate camel’s-hair brush in one hand, he was -going over the cameos, carefully removing every speck of dust and -holding them up to the light in search of possible blemishes. - -His Eminence was a tall, stately personage, refined and ascetic in -feature, with a faded blue eye which fell on me with an expression of -the most complete indifference. - -‘You are Jacopo Luigi,’ he observed, glancing towards a letter which -lay open on a pier-table. ‘My nephew, Count Baldachino, recommends -you to me very strongly. He says’--the Cardinal interrupted himself -to scrutinise a fresh gem with the minutest care--‘he says that you -are thoroughly discreet and faithful. You understand the particular -necessity for discretion in my service, no doubt?’ - -He took his eye off the cameo for an instant, to dart a glance at me, -so keen and penetrating that it was as if a hidden man had suddenly -sprung to the window and looked out. Before I could respond, the -Cardinal’s back was turned to me again, and he was dusting away -harder than ever. - -‘I perfectly understand, Eminence,’ I muttered. - -‘That is quite right, then. I take you into my service. At a salary -of 800 lire. Introduce yourself to the master of my household.’ - -These sentences were punctuated by eager movements, as his Eminence -proceeded in his examination of the newly arrived treasures. - -I waited for more, but finding that the Cardinal had apparently -forgotten my presence, in his antiquarian enthusiasm, I moved towards -the door and withdrew. - -I need not describe the household. I found myself received at first -with the jealousy natural on the part of old servants towards a new -comer, but I soon got on good terms with those whom I wished to -conciliate. - -From the gossip of the servants’ hall I gathered many important hints -about the forthcoming election. - -Had merit only been considered, the long and important services of -Cardinal Rampolla would have given him a paramount claim on the -tiara. But his strength of character had aroused the dread of those -Cardinals who consider that a weak Pope means a powerful College, and -_vice versâ_. - -Various other names were being talked about as popular candidates, -but among them I did not once catch that of King Victor’s nominee, -the saintly, simple-hearted Archbishop of Venice. - -Each of the two great Mendicant Orders, the Dominicans and -Franciscans, had its favourite, for whom the brethren were eagerly -working. But I could not learn the name of any Cardinal who was being -supported by the ubiquitous and powerful Company of Jesus. - -This was in itself a suspicious sign. The jealousy--perhaps I ought -to say the fear--of the Jesuits entertained by the ordinary hierarchy -of the Church is so intense that in all probability if the Jesuits -had shown their hand by openly supporting a particular Cardinal, -that would have been enough to ensure his exclusion. - -I could only surmise that they were working in the dark, or, perhaps, -waiting for the opportunity to intervene and turn the scale between -the final candidates. - -As soon as the obsequies of Leo XIII. had been duly performed, the -Cardinals in solemn procession entered the Hall of the Conclave, and -the doors were locked. - -Inside the vast chamber a small wooden cell, just large enough -to contain a narrow bed and a chair, had been erected for the -accommodation of each Cardinal. - -The occupation of these tiny compartments was decided by lot, so it -will be understood that I experienced a sensation of uneasy surprise -on finding that Cardinal Salvatierra had obtained the cubicle -adjoining that of the Patriarch of Venice. - -I do not feel myself at liberty to violate the secrecy of the -Conclave by relating minutely the steps which I took to secure -support for Cardinal Sarto. I obtained a few votes in the first -ballot, but not enough to afford any promise of ultimate success. - -Cardinal Rampolla struck his first and last blow. He polled his full -number of votes, and fell short of the requisite two-thirds majority. -Then realising that the jealousy of his great powers was too strong -to be overcome, he retired from the contest. - -This left the field open to the two rival Mendicant Orders. Their -nominees, whom I think it more respectful not to name, polled vote -for vote, but neither could command anything like the number of -suffrages required. - -It appeared likely that the Conclave would last some time. In the -second ballot I was surprised to find that a fair number of votes was -given to my supposed master. Cardinal Salvatierra appeared equally -surprised, and a little annoyed by this circumstance. - -‘I wish they would ignore me,’ he said testily, when I brought him -his dinner. ‘They know I am not a possible Pope, and they will injure -me with the successful candidate.’ - -I said nothing, but an idea was already germinating in my mind. -Before the next scrutiny I waited with the utmost secrecy upon -the two Cardinals who were managing the election on behalf of the -Dominicans and Franciscans respectively. - -To each of their Eminences I said practically the same thing. - -‘You cannot succeed in carrying your nominee. Neither can your -rivals. Meanwhile the Jesuits are secretly preparing to gather in the -scattered votes and concentrate them on their own candidate.’ - -‘Who is that?’ was the eager question I received in each case. - -‘You will see in the next scrutiny. Unless you stand firm, and refuse -to accede, you will have a Jesuit Pope.’ - -This threat was necessary, because when a candidate obtains so large -a proportion of votes as to make his election seem certain at the -next ballot, it is a very usual thing for the supporters of the -beaten candidates to go over at once, in order to have the credit of -voting for the new Pope. - -The next scrutiny was taken. The name of Salvatierra came out -high upon the list, wanting only four votes of the two-thirds -majority. The Franciscan and Dominican Cardinals stood firm. But the -unsuspecting Archbishop of Venice, who did not dream that his own -candidature was anything but a side manœuvre, earnestly implored his -own few supporters to accede to Salvatierra, and thus complete the -election of a Pope. - -Fortunately I had anticipated this action on his part, and had -obtained the most binding pledges from the few Cardinals I had won -over. There was no election, and Salvatierra returned to his cell, -unable to conceal his mortification. - -‘Luigi,’ he said to me that night, ‘you have seen how things are -going. Against my will I am destined to receive the tiara. This -places us both in a different position. You have done your best to -serve the personage who desired me to take you into my service, and -it is not your fault that you have failed to secure the election of -a pro-Italian Cardinal. Now I can place it in your power to achieve -the same end by another means. If you will give me the King’s votes -in the next ballot, I will pledge myself to negotiate in a friendly -and liberal spirit for the settlement of the differences between the -Papacy and the Kingdom.’ - -‘Your Eminence can escape from the burden of the triple crown,’ I -replied, with affected simplicity, ‘by causing your own supporters to -accede to any one of the other candidates.’ - -‘You mean to Cardinal Sarto,’ his Eminence retorted. ‘You do not -suppose that my friends would elect a Dominican or Franciscan puppet? -Let me warn you, my dear Signor Luigi, or Monsieur V----, that the -Cardinal on whom your master places his reliance, is not strong -enough to carry out the reconciliation you desire. Giuseppe Sarto is -a saint, not a statesman.’ - -I felt there was some truth in this warning, but I had my -instructions, and I could not in this case look beyond them. I -promised to weigh his Eminence’s words, and retired to sound the -feeling of the Conclave. - -I found that the election was already virtually decided. The -extraordinary leap upward of Salvatierra, following on my warning, -had convinced the two Mendicant Orders of their danger. They had -communicated their own fears and suspicions to the rest of the -College, and the fatal whisper--‘The Jesuit candidate’--had already -run round the Conclave. The two Orders having agreed to withdraw -their champions, there remained only one candidate in the field. - -At the next ballot Cardinal Sarto, the nominee of the excommunicated -King of Italy, was triumphantly elected Pope. - -The amazement of the saintly prelate, who had remained in profound -ignorance of the whole of the negotiations and intrigues, softened -the hearts of even his rivals, and convinced the most worldly-minded -of the electors that they had involuntarily made the right choice. - -Salvatierra was the first to offer the kiss of homage to his new -sovereign. His Eminence’s parting words to myself as we quitted the -Conclave made me fear that my triumph was more apparent than real. - -‘You have chosen the White Pope, Monsieur V----. It remains to see -how you will fare at the hands of the Black Pope.’ - -He returned to his palace and his curiosities, to all appearance well -contented to resume his _rôle_ of harmless antiquary. - -But I did not doubt that a full report of all that had passed would -be laid at once before the formidable personage with whose opposition -he had threatened me. - -In a villa a short distance outside the walls of Rome resides an -ascetic recluse, never seen in any public ceremonies, visited only -from time to time by a few quietly dressed priests and laymen, to all -appearance as insignificant as himself. This is the Black Pope--in -other words, the General of the Company of Jesus. - -Very soon after the election of Pius X. I applied for and obtained a -private interview with his Holiness. - -My previous connection with the secret service of the Vatican -rendered this easy. - -To no one but the Holy Father himself did I intend to reveal my -character as the agent of Victor Emmanuel II. - -So great was my veneration for the Vicar of Christ, so intense -my admiration for the personal character of the new Pope, that I -had determined never to confess to his Holiness the part which I -had played in his election, lest his wrath should fall upon me in -consequence. - -As I knelt before Pius X. in the small and simply furnished room in -which he had chosen to install himself, I saw his eye fall on me with -an expression of pity and curiosity. - -‘You do well to kneel, my son,’ the Holy Father said, in a low, -gentle voice. ‘You have erred very grievously.’ - -I looked up in astonishment. Pius X. pointed to a small table which -stood beside his chair. - -‘What do you see there?’ he asked, preserving the same tone of mild -reproof. - -I glanced at the table, and beheld a portion of a railway ticket. - -‘When I left Venice a fortnight ago, I took a return ticket,’ the -Pope continued. ‘What you see is the half which I am never going to -use. Take it. It will be a souvenir for you, and may remind you to -beware of the vanity of meddling in spiritual concerns.’ - -Amazed by this form of address, I rose from my knees, and -respectfully possessed myself of the precious keepsake, which I -thrust into my inmost pocket. - -‘I came to Rome,’ the Holy Father pursued calmly, ‘without other hope -or ambition than to record my vote for the most worthy member of the -Sacred College. Even had I wished to be Pope I should not have been -presumptuous enough to put myself forward as a candidate for the -Chair of Saint Peter. - -[Illustration: “Saddened and subdued, I quitted the audience chamber -of Pius X.”] - -‘It appears that there were others, with more worldly motives, who -entertained ambitions of the kind. For my part, when I learned that -some Cardinals had recorded their votes for me I had no feeling but -one of surprise and chagrin. I suspected that I was being used as a -stalking-horse on behalf of others. I could not dream that a layman -had dared to interfere in the election at the bidding of a usurper -who is outside the pale of Christian fellowship, under the curse of -the Church!’ - -I trembled as I perceived that some one had been beforehand with me, -and had narrated my proceedings to his Holiness, no doubt with a -gloss which had caused Pius X. to take the worst view of my action. - -‘Fortunately your rash and evil designs were overruled for good. -Unknown to yourself, you were an instrument in the hands of others. -While you were watching you were watched. Pious and vigilant men, the -faithful soldiers of the Church Militant, who had no object of their -own to serve, and who only sought the good of the Church, were aware -all along of your proceedings, your true employer, and his secret -aims. You sought to place in the Chair of Peter an obedient tool of -the House of Savoy. The watchful guardians of the Church resolved -that you should be instrumental in the elevation of one who, however -unworthy, is at least free from the passion of worldly ambition.’ - -I would fain have spoken, but the Holy Father imposed silence on me -by a stern gesture. - -‘The candidature of his Eminence Cardinal Salvatierra was a ruse, -to which the zealous persons I speak of were obliged to resort, in -order to throw dust in your eyes. From the first they had determined -to ensure my election, if it could be brought about without using -improper means of influencing the Sacred College. They checkmated -you, without your perceiving it. - -‘Now you may go and tell the rash young King who used you as his -agent that his designs have miscarried. I sit here, neither his -nominee nor his creature, but the duly chosen Head of the Roman -Church, and I call upon him to retire from the territories bestowed -upon the Church by Constantine.’ - -I listened with feelings of stupefaction and despair. The story which -had been told the Pope was so nearly true that I had no scope for -contradiction; it had been so skilfully coloured that I realised that -any attempt at explanation or denial would fail of its effect. - -[Illustration: “‘I can only render one more service to your Majesty, -and that is to advise you to make your peace with the Black Pope.’”] - -In fact I had been guilty of very nearly what I stood accused of. The -reproaches of Pius X. were an echo of the whispers of my conscience. -I had elected a Pope, but my presumption in doing so had made that -very Pope an enemy of the sovereign whom I had served too well. - -‘Will your Holiness condescend to hear me?’ I implored. ‘The -Jesuits----’ - -‘Silence!’ his Holiness commanded. ‘I will not listen to a word -against those devoted men, whose value, and whose loyalty to the Holy -See, I now understand for the first time. If your master, the King of -Sardinia,[2] desires to learn the conditions on which he may obtain -his pardon from the Holy See, I advise him to apply to--Cardinal -Salvatierra.’ - -Cardinal Salvatierra! I recalled the Cardinal’s parting words--‘You -have chosen the White Pope; it remains to see how you will fare at -the hands of the Black Pope.’ - -Saddened and subdued, I quitted the audience-chamber of Pius X., and -repaired to that of Victor Emmanuel II. - -‘I have carried out your Majesty’s instructions. Cardinal Sarto is -the new Pope. And now I can only render one more service to your -Majesty, and that is----’ - -‘And that is?’ the King exclaimed. - -‘To advise you to make your peace with the Black Pope!’ - -I prefer to say no more. It would be imprudent on my part to -embarrass a situation already bristling with difficulties, by -indicating the steps which still remain to be taken before peace can -be restored between the two mighty powers represented by the Vatican -and the Quirinal. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 1: As I have stated already, whenever in the course of -these disclosures I repeat a private conversation, I do so in the -interest of the other party to it, if not in every case with his -express permission.--A. V.] - -[Footnote 2: The title of King of Italy is not recognised by the -Vatican.--A. 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font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Secret History of To-day, by Allen Upward</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Secret History of To-day</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0;'>Being Revelations of a Diplomatic Spy</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Allen Upward</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 30, 2021 [eBook #66181]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: D A Alexander, John Campbell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by University of California libraries)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SECRET HISTORY OF TO-DAY ***</div> - - -<div class="transnote"> -<p><strong>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE</strong></p> - -<p>Footnote anchors are denoted by <span class="fnanchor">[number]</span>, -and the footnotes have been placed at the end of the book. There are only two in this book.</p> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been -corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within -the text and consultation of external sources.</p> - -<p>Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, -and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.</p> - -<p> -<a href="#tn-vi">Pg vi</a>: ‘William II.’ replaced by ‘Wilhelm II.’.<br /> -<a href="#tn-vii">Pg vii</a>: page no. ‘256’ replaced by ‘254’, and ‘258’ replaced by ‘256’.<br /> -<a href="#tn-188">Pg 188</a>: ‘William II.’ replaced by ‘Wilhelm II.’.<br /> -<a href="#tn-303">Pg 303</a>: ‘Guiseppe Sarto’ replaced by ‘Giuseppe Sarto’.<br /> -</p> -</div> - - -<div class="figcenter illowp48" id="cover" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Original cover" /> -</div> - - -<div class="figcenter illowp51" id="frontispiece" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="p3 w100" src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="captionx"><p>“The Kaiser was attired in his most magnificent costume, wearing the -famous winged helmet on his head, and surrounded by a galaxy of -ministers and great officers, all arrayed in the utmost military -splendour.”</p></div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h1>Secret History of<br />To-Day</h1> -</div> - -<p class="p1 pfs135">Being Revelations of a Diplomatic Spy</p> - -<p class="p3 pfs120">By</p> -<p class="pfs150">Allen Upward</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs70">Author of “Secrets of the Courts of Europe”<br /> -“Treason,” etc.</p> - -<hr class="p3 r5" /> -<p class="pfs120">Illustrated</p> -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p class="p3 pfs135">G. P. Putnam’s Sons</p> -<p class="pfs120">New York and London</p> -<p class="pfs120 antiqua">The Knickerbocker Press</p> -<p class="p1 pfs120">1904</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p2 nobreak fs150 lsp" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - - -<table class="autotable" width="70%" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">I</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr fs70">PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr><td></td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">THE TELEGRAM WHICH BEGAN THE BOER WAR</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">II</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">THE BLOWING UP OF THE ‘MAINE’</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">III</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">THE MYSTERY OF CAPTAIN DREYFUS</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">IV</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">WHAT WAS BEHIND THE TSAR’S PEACE RESCRIPT</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">V</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">WHO REALLY KILLED KING HUMBERT</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">VI</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">THE PERIL OF NORWAY</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">VII<span class="pagenum" id="Page_iv">[iv]</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">THE RUSE OF THE DOWAGER EMPRESS</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">VIII</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">THE ABDICATION OF FRANCIS-JOSEPH</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">IX</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">THE DEATH OF QUEEN DRAGA</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_217">217</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">X</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">THE POLICY OF EDWARD VII</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_242">242</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">XI</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">THE HUMBERT MILLIONS</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_264">264</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">XII</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl fs80">THE BLACK POPE</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_288">288</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[v]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p2 nobreak fs150" id="ILLUSTRATIONS">ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> -</div> - - -<table class="autotable" width="80%" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdr fs70">PAGE</td> -<td> </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“The Kaiser was attired in his most magnificent costume, wearing the famous winged helmet on his head, and surrounded by a galaxy of ministers and great officers, all arrayed in the utmost military splendour.”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#frontispiece"><em>Frontispiece</em></a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“A glance at the cheval glass showed me a stiff, well set-up Prussian official.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_010">10</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘I have sent for you, in two words, to find out for me the authorship of this telegram,’ the Kaiser said.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_012">12</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘My God!’ he cried out. ‘Who has done this? I shall be ruined!’”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_022">22</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘We shall find out whether he is a priest,’ was the retort.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_046">46</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“She would talk about her convent.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_048">48</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘Father Kehler has been good enough to visit a poor sailor who is lying sick on board,’ he said, in a tone evidently meant to rebuke my impertinence.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_050">50</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘As to that—impossible!’ he exclaimed with vigour. ‘That is our secret—ours, you understand.’”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_062">62</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘Am I under arrest too?’ Prince Pierre demanded with some indignation.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_072">72</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“The Tsar now interposed in a tone of more authority than I had ventured to hope for. ‘Do you suggest, M. V——, that the whole staff of the French army are engaged in a conspiracy to forge documents?’”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_088">88</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[vi]</span> - “‘Your Majesty must judge me by what I have done already. Two days ago you had never heard my name. Now I am here, alone with you, with a loaded revolver in my pocket.’ The Sultan started violently.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_098">98</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“It was a singular scene, as I stood there laying down pile after pile of greasy ten-thousand-rouble notes on a richly inlaid table.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_106">106</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“There at my feet, along the widening valley, lay a double line of rails, and all across the level space stretched low banks and ditches—the lines of a vast encampment, capable of accommodating half a million men.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_116">116</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“I walked past him without a word.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_126">126</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘I am not under anybody’s orders,’ I said, rising to my feet.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_130">130</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘You are free,’ he said briefly. ‘The right man has been arrested, too late.’”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_144">144</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘Let me see your warrant,’ I said.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_158">158</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“He bent forward to listen, and as he did so I launched my clenched fist at his right temple with my full force.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_164">164</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“I watched the brave monarch read it through from beginning to end without one manifestation of dismay.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_168">168</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“Finally he turned his back without a word, and rushed from the room.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_176">176</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“<ins class="corr" id="tn-vi" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'William II.'"> - Wilhelm II.</ins> strode to me, seized me by the shoulders, and thrust me out of the room.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_188">188</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘Will you permit me to ask you,’ he said politely, ‘if you have ever done any business on behalf of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary?’”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_192">192</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“The Emperor could not repress a slight start.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_198">198</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“I rode right over him.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_212">212</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[vii]</span> - “I took out my loaded revolver, cocked it, and advanced to the threshold.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_232">232</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“Queen Draga cast herself on the inanimate form on the bed, concealed the face in her arms, and allowed herself to be stabbed by a dozen bayonets.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_240">240</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘V——!’ he exclaimed, drawing back as if he had been stung.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_250">250</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘Arrest that man!’ the Kaiser commanded, without giving him time to speak.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_254"><ins class="corr" id="tn-vii" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: '256'">254</ins></a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘Now,’ said the Kaiser, stepping close to my side, ‘tell me the truth—the real truth, mind—and I will spare your life.’”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_256"><ins class="corr" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: '258'">256</ins></a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘I am going to ask you to undertake a service of an unusual kind.’”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_266">266</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“My visitor started as she heard her name, and threw up her veil with a gesture of astonishment and indignation.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_274">274</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“I was stopped at the barricade by a pompous sergeant of police.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_280">280</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“The chief detective came close up to me, put his mouth to my ear, and whispered, ‘<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Le drapeau blanc!</i>’”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_284">284</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“I found the Cardinal absorbed in the inspection of his newly arrived treasures.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_296">296</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“Saddened and subdued, I quitted the audience chamber of Pius X.”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_306">306</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlx">“‘I can only render one more service to your Majesty, and that is to advise you to make your peace with the Black Pope.’”</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#i_308">308</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="I">I<br /> - -<span class="fs80">THE TELEGRAM WHICH BEGAN THE BOER WAR</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">The initials under which I write these confessions -are not those of my real name, which I could not -disclose without exposing myself to the revenge of -formidable enemies. As it is, I run a very great -risk in making revelations which affect some of the -most powerful personages now living; and it is only -by the exercise of the utmost discretion that I can -hope to avoid giving offence in quarters in which -the slightest disrespect is apt to have serious -consequences.</p> - -<p>If I should be found to err on the side of frankness, -I can only plead in excuse that I have never -yet betrayed the confidence placed in me by the -various Governments and illustrious families which -have employed me from time to time. The late -Prince Bismarck once honoured me by saying: -‘To tell secrets to Monsieur V—— is like putting -them into a strong box, with the certainty that -they will not come out again until one wants -them to.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span></p> - -<p>In these reminiscences it is my object to recount -some of the services I have rendered to civilisation -in the course of my career, while abstaining as far -as possible from compromising exalted individuals -or embittering international relations.</p> - -<p>That I am not a man who opens his mouth rashly -may be gathered from the fact that, although at any -time during the long struggle between Briton and -Boer for the mastery in South Africa, I might have -completely changed the situation with a word, that -word was not uttered while a single Boer remained -under arms.</p> - -<p>In order to explain how I came to be concerned -in this affair, I had better begin by giving a few -particulars about myself, and the almost unique -position which I hold among the secret service -bureaus of Europe and America.</p> - -<p>By birth I am a citizen of the United States of -America, being the son of a Polish father, exiled on -account of his political opinions, and a French -mother. From my childhood I showed an extraordinary -aptitude for languages, so that there is -now scarcely a civilised country outside Portugal -and Scandinavia in which I am not able to converse -with the natives in their own tongue. At the same -time, I was possessed, ever since I can remember, -with a passion for intrigue and mystery. The -romances of Gaboriau were the favourite reading<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> -of my boyhood, and it was my ambition to become -a famous detective, the Vidocq of America.</p> - -<p>Fired by these visions, I ran away from the -insurance office in which my parents had placed -me, when I was little more than sixteen, and applied -for admission to the ranks of the famous Pinkerton -Police. Although my youth was against me, my -phenomenal command of languages turned the scale -in my favour, and I was given a trial.</p> - -<p>Very soon I had opportunities of distinguishing -myself in more than one mission to Europe, on the -track of absconding criminals; and in this way I -earned the favourable notice of the heads of the -detective police in London, Paris, Berlin, and other -capitals.</p> - -<p>At length, finding that I possessed unique qualifications -for the work of an international secret -agent, I decided to quit the Pinkerton service, and -set up for myself, making my headquarters in Paris. -From that day to this I have had no cause to repent -of my audacity. I have been employed at one time -or another by nearly every Government in the world, -and my clients have included nearly every crowned -head, from the late Queen Victoria to the Dowager -Empress of China. I have been sent for on the -same day by the Ambassadors of two hostile Powers, -each of which desired to employ me against the -other.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span></p> - -<p>On one occasion I acted on behalf of a famous -German Chancellor against his then master, and -on another on behalf of the Emperor against his -Chancellor; and neither had cause to complain of -my fidelity. I have been instrumental in freeing -a Queen renowned for her beauty from the persecution -of a blackmailer set on by a foreign court; -and I have more than once detected and defeated -the plots of anarchists for the assassination of their -rulers.</p> - -<p>In this way it has come about that I enjoy the -friendship and confidence of many illustrious personages, -whose names would excite envy were I at -liberty to mention them in these pages; and that -few events of any magnitude happen in any part -of the globe without my being in some measure -concerned in them.</p> - -<p>Often, when some great affair has been proceeding, -I have felt myself as occupying the position -of the stage manager, who looks on from the wings, -directing the entrances and exits of the gorgeously -dressed performers who engross the attention and -applause of the ignorant spectators on the other -side of the footlights.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The true story of the famous telegram which may -be said to have rendered the South African War -inevitable is one which strikingly illustrates the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> -extent to which the public may be deceived about -the most important transactions of contemporary -history.</p> - -<p>Every one is familiar with the situation created -by that celebrated despatch. For some time previously -all England, and, in fact, all Europe, had -been agitated by the intelligence that Johannesburg -was on the eve of insurrection, that the Boers were -drawing their forces together about the doomed city, -that Dr. Jameson had dashed across the frontier with -five hundred followers in a mad attempt to come to -the aid of the threatened Outlanders, and that his -action had been formally disavowed by the British -Government.</p> - -<p>Close on the heels of these tidings came the -memorable day on which London was cast into -gloom by long streams of placards issuing from -the newspaper offices bearing the dismal legend, -‘Jameson Beaten and a Prisoner!’</p> - -<p>While the populace were yet reeling under the -blow, divided between distress at this humiliation -for the British flag, and indignation at the criminal -recklessness which had staked the country’s honour -on a gambler’s throw, there came the portentous -news that the head of the great German Empire, -the grandson of Queen Victoria, had sent a public -message of congratulation to the Boer President, -rejoicing with him in the face of the world over an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> -event which every Englishman felt as a national -disaster.</p> - -<p>That hour registered the doom of the Pretorian -Government. Jameson was scornfully forgotten. -The British people, as proud as it is generous, made -up its mind that the forbearance so long extended -to a vassal of its own, could no longer be shown -with honour to the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">protégé</i> of a mighty European -Power.</p> - -<p>On the very day on which this celebrated despatch -appeared as the chief item of news in all the newspapers -of the world, I received an urgent cipher -message from the Director of the Imperial Secret -Service, Herr Finkelstein, demanding my presence -in Berlin.</p> - -<p>My headquarters, as I have said, are in Paris, and -fortunately I was disengaged when the summons -arrived. I had merely to dictate a few dozen wires -to my staff, while my valet was strapping up the -portmanteau which always stands ready packed in -my dressing-room, and to look out my German -passport—for I have a separate one for every -important nationality—and in an hour or two I -was seated in the Berlin express, speeding towards -the frontier.</p> - -<p>From the bunch of papers which my attentive -secretary had thrust into the carriage, I learned -something of the effect which the German Emperor’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> -interference in the affairs of South Africa had -produced on the public mind in England. It was -evident that the Islanders were strongly roused, -and were preparing to pick up the gage of battle -which had been thrown down. No sooner had I -reached German territory than I found evidences -of an even greater excitement. The whole nation -seemed to have rallied round the Kaiser, and to be -ready to back up his words with martial deeds.</p> - -<p>By this time I had little doubt that I had been -sent for in connection with the outbreak of hostile -feeling between the two Powers. But it was impossible -for me to anticipate the actual nature of -the task which awaited me.</p> - -<p>On reaching Berlin I was met by a private -emissary of Finkelstein’s, who hurried me off to -the Director’s private house. The first words with -which he greeted me convinced me that the business -I had come about was of no ordinary kind.</p> - -<p>‘Do not sit down,’ he said to me, as I was about -to drop into a chair, after shaking hands with him. -‘I must ask you to come to my dressing-room at -once, where you will transform yourself as quickly -as possible into an officer of the Berlin Police. The -moment that is done, I am to conduct you to the -Palace, where his Majesty will see you alone.’</p> - -<p>As I followed the Director into the dressing-room, -where I found a uniform suit laid out ready for my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span> -wearing, I naturally asked: ‘Can you tell me what -this is about?’</p> - -<p>Finkelstein shook his head with a mysterious air.</p> - -<p>‘The Kaiser has told me nothing. But he warned -me very strictly not to let a single creature in Berlin -know of your arrival, and from that fact I have -naturally drawn certain conclusions.’</p> - -<p>I gazed at Finkelstein with some suspicion. We -were good friends, having worked together on more -than one occasion, and I knew he would have no -wish to keep me in the dark. On the other hand, -if he had been instructed to do so, I knew he would -not hesitate to lie to me. The secret service has -its code of honour, like other professions, and fidelity -to one’s employer comes before friendship.</p> - -<p>Keeping my eye fixed on him, I observed -carelessly—</p> - -<p>‘You will tell me just as much or as little as you -think fit, my dear Finkelstein. On my part I shall, -of course, exercise a similar discretion after his -Imperial Majesty has given me my instructions.’</p> - -<p>As I expected, the bait took. Curiosity is the -besetting weakness of a secret service officer, and -the Berlin Director was no exception to the rule. -Putting on his most confidential manner, he at once -replied—</p> - -<p>‘My dear V——, if you and I do not trust each -other, whom can we trust? Rest assured that my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> -confidence in you has no reserves. I have spoken -the bare truth in saying that the Kaiser has given -me no indication of his object in sending for you. -But the fact that he has ordered me to take these -precautions to conceal the fact of your arrival in -Berlin tells me plainly that there is a person whom -he wishes to keep in ignorance; and that person can -only be——’</p> - -<p>‘The Chancellor?’ I threw in, as my companion -hesitated.</p> - -<p>Finkelstein nodded.</p> - -<p>‘You consider, perhaps, that it is against the -Chancellor that I am to be employed?’ I went on.</p> - -<p>‘It looks like it,’ was the cautious answer.</p> - -<p>‘And the reason why this task is not placed in -your hands?’</p> - -<p>‘Is because I am a native of Hanover, and the -Kaiser regards me rather as a public official than -as a personal servant of his own dynasty,’ said -Finkelstein.</p> - -<p>‘In other words, he regards you as a creature of -the Chancellor’s,’ I commented bluntly.</p> - -<p>The Director made a pleasing and ingenious -attempt to blush.</p> - -<p>‘I can only affirm to you, on my sacred word of -honour, that his Majesty has no cause to trust me -any less than if I were a Prussian,’ he declared. -‘And I shall take it as a personal kindness if you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> -will endeavour to convince the Kaiser of my -loyalty.’</p> - -<p>‘I will take care that he knows your sentiments,’ -I answered, with an ambiguity which Finkelstein -fortunately did not remark.</p> - -<p>By this time I had completed my transformation. -A glance at the cheval glass showed me a stiff, -well-set-up Prussian official, exhaling the very -atmosphere of Junkerdom and sauerkraut. I gave -the signal to depart, and we were quickly driving -up the Unter den Linden on our way to the Imperial -Palace.</p> - -<p>‘Announce to his Majesty—the Herr Director -Finkelstein and the Herr Inspector Vehm,’ my -companion said to the doorkeeper.</p> - -<p>A servant, who had evidently received special -instructions, stepped forward.</p> - -<p>‘The Herr Inspector is to be taken to his Majesty -at once,’ he said firmly.</p> - -<p>Finkelstein bit his lip as he unwillingly turned -to re-enter his carriage. I followed the lackey -into the private cabinet of the monarch who had -just found himself the centre of an international -cyclone.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp50" id="i_010" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_010.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“A glance at the cheval glass showed me a stiff, well set-up -Prussian official.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Wilhelm II. received me cordially. It was not the -first time we had met. About the time of his ascending -the throne I had been the means of inflicting on -him a defeat which a smaller man would have found -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span>it hard to forgive. Fortunately, the German Kaiser -was of metal sterling enough to recognise merit even -in an enemy, and to realise that my fidelity to my -then employer was the best guarantee that I should -be equally faithful to himself, if it fell to my lot to -serve him.</p> - -<p>‘What has Finkelstein told you?’ was the -Emperor’s first question, after he had graciously -invited me to sit down.</p> - -<p>‘Only that he was able to tell me nothing, sire.’</p> - -<p>The Emperor gave me a suspicious glance.</p> - -<p>‘He appeared to regret that your Majesty had not -given him your confidence,’ I added, choosing my -words warily. ‘He assured me that you might rely -on his entire devotion, as much so as if he were a -native of your hereditary States.’</p> - -<p>‘And what do you say as to that?’ demanded the -Kaiser, with a piercing look.</p> - -<p>‘I think that your Majesty cannot be too careful -whom you trust.’</p> - -<p>Wilhelm II. allowed himself to smile gravely.</p> - -<p>‘I see, Monsieur V——, that you are a prudent -man. If Herr Finkelstein wishes to convince me of -his loyalty to the Hohenzollerns, he cannot begin -better than by renouncing the pension which he -continues to draw secretly from the Duke of ——.’ -His Majesty pronounced the name by which a -well-known dispossessed sovereign goes in his exile.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span></p> - -<p>Familiar as I long have been with instances of -perfidy in others, I could not restrain an exclamation -of astonishment at this revelation of Finkelstein’s -double dealing. The Kaiser continued—</p> - -<p>‘After that you will not be surprised if I caution -you particularly against letting Herr Finkelstein -know anything of the object of the inquiry I wish -you to undertake.’</p> - -<p>I bowed respectfully, and waited with some impatience -to learn the true nature of my mission.</p> - -<p>‘I could not receive you here without taking some -one into the secret of your employment,’ the Kaiser -went on to explain; ‘and I chose Finkelstein in order -to give the affair as much as possible the aspect of a -private and domestic matter. In reality the task I -have to set you is one of the most grave in which -you have ever been engaged.’</p> - -<p>The Kaiser took one of the Berlin papers of the -day before, which was lying on the desk in front of -him, and pointed to a column in which was set out -in conspicuous type the telegram which had convulsed -Europe and Africa, and had already caused -Lord Salisbury to issue orders for the mobilisation of -his Flying Squadron.</p> - -<p>‘I have sent for you, in two words, to find out -for me the authorship of this telegram,’ the Kaiser -said.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_012" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_012.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘I have sent for you, in two words, to find out for me the authorship of this telegram,’ -the Kaiser said.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Notwithstanding my long training in the most -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span>tortuous paths of secret intrigue, I was fairly taken -aback by this announcement.</p> - -<p>‘That telegram!’ I could only exclaim. ‘The one -which your Majesty addressed to President Kruger!’</p> - -<p>‘<em>I never sent it</em>,’ Wilhelm II. declared gravely. -‘It is a forgery pure and simple.’</p> - -<p>For a moment I sat still in my chair, almost -unable to think.</p> - -<p>‘But what——? But who——?’ I articulated, -struggling with my bewilderment.</p> - -<p>‘That is what you have got to find out for me,’ -was the answer. ‘Let me tell you all I know. The -first intimation I had of the existence of such a -thing was the sight of it in the Press. I sent instantly -for the Chancellor, who came here wearing a -reproachful expression, and evidently prepared to -complain bitterly of my having taken such a step -without previously informing him. When I told him -that the whole thing was an impudent fabrication, -he could scarcely believe his ears. In fact, for some -time I believe he was inclined to consider my repudiation -of it as a mere official denial.’</p> - -<p>I ventured to raise my eyes to his Majesty’s as I -observed—</p> - -<p>‘Your Majesty has taken no steps to make your -repudiation public?’</p> - -<p>The Kaiser gave an angry frown.</p> - -<p>‘That is the serious part of the affair,’ he answered.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> -‘Kruger, in his eagerness to proclaim to the world -that I was on his side, had sent copies of this -infamous production to every newspaper in the two -hemispheres before it reached my eyes. At the -moment when I first saw it, it had already been read -and commented upon all round the globe. The -British newspapers were already threatening war, -and my own people had been excited to a pitch of -enthusiasm such as no other act of mine has ever -called forth. You see the position I was placed in. -If I were now to disavow this forgery, my disavowal -would be received everywhere with the -same scepticism as was felt even by my own -Chancellor. The British would triumph over me, -and my own subjects would never forgive me for -what they would regard as a surrender to British -threats.’</p> - -<p>I sat silent. I realised the full difficulty of the -Kaiser’s position. He was committed in spite of -himself to the act of some impostor, whose real -motives were yet to be discovered, but who had -already succeeded in bringing the two greatest -Powers of Europe to the verge of war.</p> - -<p>‘Before I can undo the mischief which has been -done,’ the Emperor proceeded, ‘I must first of all -ascertain from what quarter this forgery emanated. -When I have obtained that information, backed by -clear and convincing proofs, it may be possible for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> -me to satisfy the British Government that they -and I have been the victims of a conspiracy. If -you can succeed in furnishing me with those proofs, -it shall be the best day’s work you ever did in your -life.’</p> - -<p>I listened carefully to these words, scrutinising -them for any trace of a double meaning. It was -impossible for me to dismiss entirely from my mind -that suspicion which the story told by Wilhelm II. -was naturally calculated to excite. I asked myself -whether the Kaiser was really in earnest, or whether -he was not inviting me, in a delicate fashion, to -extricate him from the consequences of his own -rashness, by putting together some fictitious account -of the origin of the telegram, which might impose -on Lord Salisbury.</p> - -<p>It was clearly necessary, however, for me to appear -to be convinced.</p> - -<p>‘May I ask if your Majesty’s suspicions point in -any particular direction?’ I asked, trying to feel my -way cautiously. ‘The President of the Boers is -perhaps——’</p> - -<p>The Kaiser interrupted me.</p> - -<p>‘I do not think Kruger would dare to provoke me -by such a trick. He would know that he would be -the first to suffer when it was found out. No, I am -convinced that we must look nearer home for the -traitor.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span></p> - -<p>Something in the Emperor’s tone struck me as -significant.</p> - -<p>‘If you could give me any indication of the -person——’ I ventured to throw out.</p> - -<p>His Majesty looked at me fixedly as he answered—</p> - -<p>‘Does it not occur to you, Monsieur V——, that -there is in my Empire a powerful family, the heads -of which seem at one time to have cherished the -notion that the Hohenzollerns could not reign -without them, a family which aspired to play the -same part in modern Germany which was played -by the Mayors of the Palace in the Empire of the -Merovingians?’</p> - -<p>‘You allude, sire, without doubt, to the Bismarcks?’</p> - -<p>‘My grandfather was forced into war with the -French by a forged telegram. There would be -nothing surprising in an attempt from the same -quarter to force me into a war with England.’</p> - -<p>I had no answer to make to such reasoning. -Daring as such a manœuvre might appear, it was -absurd, in the face of historical facts, to pronounce -it improbable.</p> - -<p>After a minute spent in considering the situation, -I turned to the question of how the fraud might -have been carried out.</p> - -<p>It was quite clear to me that such a message -could not have gone over the ordinary wires. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> -despatches of Emperors are not, as a rule, handed in -over the counter of a post-office, like a telegram from -a husband announcing that he is prevented from -dining at home. I asked the Kaiser to explain to -me the system pursued with regard to Imperial -messages.</p> - -<p>‘That is a matter about which you will be able to -learn more from the Chancellor than from me,’ was -the answer. ‘Foreign despatches go through the -Chancellery, and there is a staff of telegraphists -there to deal with them. The wire goes direct to the -Central Telegraph Office, I believe, from which it -would, of course, find its way to the Cable Company.’</p> - -<p>‘Then this fabrication must have been sent from -the Chancellery in the first instance?’ I inquired. -‘It could not have been received at the Central -Office from an outside source?’</p> - -<p>‘Impossible. They would not dare to transmit a -message in my name which had not reached them -through one of the authorised channels.’</p> - -<p>This was the reply I had expected. But I did not -fail to mark the admission that there was more than -one channel through which the forgery might have -come. I was quick to ask—</p> - -<p>‘Is there not some other source from which this -telegram may have reached them besides the Chancellery? -Your Majesty, no doubt, has a private wire -from the Palace.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span></p> - -<p>The Kaiser looked a little put out.</p> - -<p>‘That is so, of course,’ he conceded. ‘But that -wire is used only for my personal messages, and those -of the Imperial family.’</p> - -<p>‘Still, a message received over this wire, and -couched in your name, would be accepted at the -Central Office, would it not?’ I persisted.</p> - -<p>‘Undoubtedly. But the Palace operator, a man -who works under the eye of my secretary, would not -dare to play me such a trick, which, he would be -aware, must be detected immediately. Take my -advice, Monsieur V——, waste no time over side -paths, but go direct to the Chancellor, and commence -your perquisitions among his staff.’</p> - -<p>I bowed respectfully, as though accepting this plan -of campaign. But, as I withdrew from the Emperor’s -cabinet, the doubt pressed more strongly than ever -upon my mind whether I was not being asked to -play a part. I half expected to find everything prepared -for me at the Chancellery, prearranged clues -leading to the detection of a culprit who would recite -a confession which had been put into his mouth -beforehand.</p> - -<p>I was perfectly willing to perform my part in the -comedy in a manner satisfactory to my employer, -but all the same I meant to keep my eyes open, -and not to let myself be the victim of a deception -intended for English consumption.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span></p> - -<p>In this mood I presented myself before the -Chancellor. As soon as the Imperial autograph -introducing me had met his eye, his Excellency -threw aside, or pretended to throw aside, all -reserve.</p> - -<p>‘I am delighted to find the Emperor has placed -this business in your hands, Monsieur V——,’ he -said obligingly. ‘Your reputation is well known -to me, and I am convinced that you will be perfectly -discreet. The Emperor is, of course, thoroughly -taken aback by the results of his unfortunate impulse, -and wishes to relieve himself of the responsibility -he has incurred. In that I am quite -willing to help him, but not at my own expense, -you understand.’</p> - -<p>I murmured something about the Bismarcks. His -Excellency gave a smile of contempt.</p> - -<p>‘All that is absurd,’ he rapped out. ‘The Emperor -is quite foolish about that family, which possesses -no more influence to-day than any Pomeranian -squire. No, if his Majesty wants a victim he -ought to be content with one of his own staff. I -refuse to allow the Imperial Chancellery to be -discredited in the eyes of Europe.’</p> - -<p>This reception, so unlike what I had anticipated, -made me begin to think that my inquiry would have -to be serious. After a little further conversation -with the Chancellor I decided to go to work regularly,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> -beginning by tracing the Imperial telegram back -from the Central Office.</p> - -<p>The Chancellor readily furnished me with the -necessary authority to produce to the Director of -the Telegraph Service, to whom I had merely to -explain that I had been instructed to verify the -exact wording of the now famous despatch.</p> - -<p>It is unnecessary for me to detail my interview -with this functionary, whose share in the business -was purely formal. Suffice it that within a quarter -of an hour after entering his office, I came out with -the all-important information that the congratulation -to Mr. Kruger had come direct from the -Imperial Palace, over the Kaiser’s private wire.</p> - -<p>By this time it was clear to me that either -Wilhelm II. was playing a very complicated game -indeed with me, or he really was the victim of -one of the most audacious coups in history. My -interest in the investigation was strongly roused, as -I made my way to the Palace for the second time -that day, bent upon a meeting with the telegraphist -by whose agency, it now appeared, the war-making -despatch had come over the wires.</p> - -<p>My recent audience in the Imperial cabinet had -invested me with authority in the eyes of the -household, and I had no difficulty in getting a -footman to conduct me to the operator’s room, which -was situated at the far end of the corridor which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> -I had previously passed through on my way to the -Kaiser.</p> - -<p>The room being empty on my arrival, I dismissed -the footman in search of the operator, who, he informed -me, would most probably be found with the -private secretary to the Emperor.</p> - -<p>The moment I found myself alone I stepped up to -the apparatus. I am an expert telegraphist, and the -machine speedily clicked off the following despatch—</p> - -<p>‘<em>To the German Ambassador, London.—See Lord -Salisbury privately, at once, and inform him British -Government entirely deceived as to my sentiments. -Proofs will be sent to you shortly.</em>—<span class="smcap">Wilhelm</span>, -Kaiser.’</p> - -<p>I had hardly taken my fingers off the instrument -when the door opened and the operator walked in.</p> - -<p>Herr Zeiss—I heard this name at the Central -Office—appeared to me to be a simple-minded man, -more likely to be the victim of a conspiracy than -himself a conspirator. I thought it my best plan to -assume an air of omniscience at the outset.</p> - -<p>‘How is this, sir!’ I demanded with some sternness. -‘Do your instructions permit you to leave -this instrument unguarded for any person who -pleases to send his own messages over the Emperor’s -private wire?’</p> - -<p>The telegraphist stared at me with a mixture of -surprise and alarm.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span></p> - -<p>‘I don’t know who has authorised you, Herr -Inspector——’ he began, when I cut him short.</p> - -<p>‘Am I to go to his Majesty, and ask him if you -have permission to leave this room when you -please, without taking any precautions against the -unauthorised use of the wire?’</p> - -<p>Herr Zeiss quickly changed his tone.</p> - -<p>‘That is not a thing of which I am ever guilty,’ he -protested.</p> - -<p>‘You have been guilty of it just now,’ I retorted.</p> - -<p>‘I have not been away two minutes. No one -could have taken advantage of my absence.’</p> - -<p>‘Nevertheless, advantage has been taken of your -absence.’</p> - -<p>‘I don’t believe it!’</p> - -<p>‘Ask the Central Office to repeat the message you -have just sent them, then.’</p> - -<p>Casting a frightened look at me, the man complied. -I have seldom seen an expression of deeper -astonishment and terror on a man’s face than that -which marked the unfortunate operator’s as my -despatch came back to him, word after word, ending -with the Imperial signature.</p> - -<p>‘My God!’ he cried out. ‘Who has done this? -I shall be ruined!’</p> - -<p>‘Whether you are ruined or not depends entirely -on yourself,’ I said sharply. ‘It is in my power to -save you, but only upon one condition.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp51" id="i_022" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_022.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘My God!’ he cried out. ‘Who has done this? I shall be ruined.’”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Herr Zeiss turned on me a gaze of mute appeal.</p> - -<p>‘You must tell me the exact truth,’ I proceeded, -‘and you must tell me everything. How often have -you left this room without taking precautions against -the misuse of the wire in your absence during the -last two days?’</p> - -<p>Zeiss considered for a moment. Then his face -brightened up.</p> - -<p>‘Not once, I can assure you positively of that, -Herr Inspector.’</p> - -<p>This answer, given so confidently, came as a severe -check to me. I looked at the man sternly, as I -responded, with assumed confidence—</p> - -<p>‘And I am positive that you are mistaken. An -unauthorised use <em>has</em> been made of this wire, and I -am determined to know by whom.’</p> - -<p>The operator’s face fell once more. He appeared -to me to be honestly at a loss.</p> - -<p>‘Come,’ I put in, ‘think again. Begin by recalling -any occasions on which you have been called away -hurriedly, and have perhaps omitted to lock the door.’</p> - -<p>‘But there has been no such occasion. I swear to -you that I have not once left this room without -taking ample precautions.’</p> - -<p>I fancied I discerned a touch of hesitation, -rather in the operator’s tone than in his actual words.</p> - -<p>‘Speak more plainly,’ I said. ‘What do you mean -by precautions?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span></p> - -<p>‘Either the door was locked, or else——’ This -time the hesitation was palpable.</p> - -<p>‘Or else what?’</p> - -<p>‘It was left in the charge of a trustworthy -person.’</p> - -<p>‘And that trustworthy person, who was he?’ I -found it hard to suppress all signs of excitement as I -put this question.</p> - -<p>‘The gentleman who will shortly be my brother-in-law.’</p> - -<p>‘Ah! Perhaps this gentleman is an employee in -the same department as yourself?’</p> - -<p>‘Not at all,’ Zeiss protested earnestly. ‘He is a -teacher in the Military College. He knows nothing -of telegraphy; in fact, he has sometimes asked me -questions on the subject which have convinced -me that he is quite a fool where electricity is -concerned.’</p> - -<p>‘Indeed! And the name of this foolish person, if -you please?’</p> - -<p>‘Herr Severinski.’</p> - -<p>‘A Pole!’ I exclaimed.</p> - -<p>‘No, a Russian. He was exiled to Siberia on -account of his political opinions, but escaped. He -teaches Russian in the college.’</p> - -<p>‘How did he come to be left in charge of this -room?’</p> - -<p>‘He called here the day before yesterday, in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> -evening, to speak to me about his marriage with my -sister. They have been engaged for some time, you -must know. While he was here I received a note -from my sister herself, pressing me to come and -speak to her at once outside the Palace. I went, -leaving my brother-in-law to wait here during my -absence. My sister, I found, merely wished to urge -me not to object to any proposal made by her -betrothed. On my return I found Severinski -yawning and apparently bored to death in my -absence. I asked him, and he assured me no one -had come near the room while I was away.’</p> - -<p>I could scarcely resist smiling as the whole -intrigue, so simple, and yet so consummately successful, -lay bared to my perception. My whole -anxiety now was to keep the worthy but stupid -Zeiss ignorant of the transaction in which he had -been an unwitting accomplice.</p> - -<p>I brought him away from the Palace with me, -so as to leave him no opportunity of warning -Severinski, and we proceeded together to the -Russian’s quarters. I flatter myself that the professor -of the Military College was not a little disconcerted -when he saw his dupe followed into the -room by an Inspector of the Berlin Police.</p> - -<p>I explained my position in such a manner as to -let Severinski see that I knew everything, without -enlightening the other man.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span></p> - -<p>‘The day before yesterday Herr Zeiss left you -alone in his room in the Palace. You took the -opportunity to send a telegram, the terms of which -are known to me, over the Emperor’s private wire. -For this offence you and he are liable to severe -punishment. What I now have to propose to you -is to make a confession which will have the effect of -exonerating every one except yourself. If you do -this, I think I can promise you that you shall suffer -no penalty beyond, of course, the loss of your post in -the Military College.’</p> - -<p>Severinski gave me a glance of intelligence.</p> - -<p>‘You do not require me to denounce anybody else?’ -he inquired significantly.</p> - -<p>‘I do not require you to confess what is obvious -to every one,’ I returned with equal significance.</p> - -<p>Poor Zeiss followed this exchange with an air of -bewilderment. It was evident that the discovery -of the other’s guilt had caused a shock to his confiding -nature, and he was still trying to reconcile -the Russian’s prompt surrender to me with his -previous stupidity on questions of electrical science, -when I summarily dismissed him from further share -in the interview.</p> - -<p>As soon as we were by ourselves Severinski spoke -out boldly enough.</p> - -<p>‘I am quite willing to give you a statement that I -sent the telegram. But I am not going to tell you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> -anything more. You must know that I am an -Anarchist.’</p> - -<p>I waved my hand scornfully.</p> - -<p>‘If I consent to your suppressing the truth, -Professor Severinski, it does not follow that I -am willing to listen to absurd fictions. Be good -enough to write out and sign a circumstantial -account of your own part in this clumsy plot, and -I will undertake that you shall not pass to-night -in prison.’</p> - -<p>The Russian had the sense to do what he was -told without further parley. I got from him more -than I expected. He consented to put in writing -that it was after his betrothal to Fraulein Zeiss -that he had been solicited to make use of his connection -with the Kaiser’s private telegraphist, and -he stated the amount of the bribe, a very heavy one, -paid him for his services in sending the Imperial -congratulations to the President of the Transvaal. -We became so friendly over the discussion that -Severinski, who was bursting with vanity over -his success, wanted me at last to let him tell -me too much. I was obliged to order him to be -silent.</p> - -<p>‘If you tell me that you are an agent of a certain -great Power, I must repeat what you say to the -Kaiser. Then one of two things will happen. Either -your Government will avow your action, in which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> -case you will be hanged as a spy, or it will disavow -you, in which case you will pass the rest of your life -in prison as a criminal lunatic.’</p> - -<p>This menace had all the effect which I could have -desired, and I was satisfied that the Russian would -now hold his tongue.</p> - -<p>Bidding him a cordial farewell—for I confess the -fellow’s audacity had inspired me with some admiration—I -hastened back to the Palace, to lay the -results of my investigations before Wilhelm II.</p> - -<p>‘Your Majesty has been victimised by a secret -agent whose employers are interested in bringing -about a feeling of ill-will, if not an actual war, between -Germany and Great Britain. The day before -yesterday this agent, whose name is Severinski, and -who is employed to teach Russian’—Wilhelm II. -started—‘in the Berlin Military College, visited -your private telegraphist in the room at the end of -this corridor. He had previously contrived that -the telegraphist should be called away during his -visit, and he took advantage of this absence -to send the message which has caused so much -trouble.’</p> - -<p>The Kaiser made no reply until he had finished -reading the proofs I laid before him.</p> - -<p>‘And you did not ask this Severinski by whom he -was set on?’ demanded his Majesty, giving me a -keen glance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span></p> - -<p>‘I did not know whether you would wish me to do -so,’ I answered respectfully.</p> - -<p>‘You were right, a thousand times right,’ exclaimed -the Emperor. ‘As long as they are in doubt whether -I know it is they who have played me this trick, I -have the advantage of them, and they will keep -silence for their own sakes.’ He paused in deep consideration -for a minute, then he looked up quickly. -‘All this time I must not forget the English. Tell -me, Monsieur V——, are you personally known to -Lord Salisbury?’</p> - -<p>‘I have that honour, sire. On one occasion——’</p> - -<p>‘Enough! There is not a moment to lose. You -will leave Berlin by the first train, and proceed -straight to the Ambassador’s house in London. He -will take you round to the Prime Minister, and you -will offer him the proofs which you have just offered -me, explaining at the same time that the excited -state of public feeling in both countries makes it -impossible for me to take any open action in the -matter.’</p> - -<p>I bowed and moved towards the door.</p> - -<p>‘I will wire to the Ambassador to expect you,’ -called out the Kaiser.</p> - -<p>‘Pardon me, your Majesty has done so already.’</p> - -<p>‘How?’</p> - -<p>‘I also passed five minutes alone in the room of -Herr Zeiss,’ I explained.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span></p> - -<p>In the years which have elapsed since this celebrated -episode, Wilhelm II. has left no means untried -to convince the British people of his friendly -sentiments towards them. It is as a service to his -Imperial Majesty, though without authority from -him, that I now venture to lift the veil from the -most astounding transaction in the annals of even -Muscovite diplomacy.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="II">II<br /> - -<span class="fs80">THE BLOWING UP OF THE <i>MAINE</i></span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">Although the revelations which have been made -already in the British House of Commons have -thrown some light on the international intrigues -which complicated the progress of the Cuban War, -the tragic event which caused the United States to -draw the sword against Spain has remained a profound -mystery to the present hour.</p> - -<p>The truth concerning the destruction of the United -States warship <i>Maine</i>, in the roadstead of Havana, is -known fully to only two persons now alive. One of -these two has taken the vow of perpetual silence in -the monastery of La Trappe, and his name is already -forgotten by the world.</p> - -<p>I shall cause some surprise, perhaps, when I -venture to assert that had I left my hotel ten minutes -earlier on a certain memorable night in the year -1898, the Spanish flag might still be flying over the -citadel of Havana.</p> - -<p>The extraordinary adventure which I am going to -relate had its starting-point in Paris, which is, to a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> -large extent, the clearing-house of international -politics—the diplomatic exchange where the representatives -of the Powers meet, and sound each other’s -minds. For this reason the highest post in the -diplomatic service of every country is still the Paris -Embassy, although France itself scarcely ranks to-day -as a Power of the first magnitude.</p> - -<p>It is Paris, as every one is aware, which was the -scene of the long negotiation between the representatives -of the Cuban insurgents and the Government of -Madrid on the question of the terms to be granted -by Spain to her discontented colony. In this -negotiation it is equally well known that the Cuban -delegates received the moral support of the United -States; but it is not generally known that the -Spanish Government acted throughout in consultation -with most of the European Powers.</p> - -<p>I was looking on at the negotiation without any -very great interest, sharing, as I did, in the general -impression that Spain would give way before long, -when I was surprised one morning by receiving a -visit from a very remarkable character.</p> - -<p>Ludwig Kehler was a Bavarian, who had begun -life as a candidate for the priesthood. A disgraceful -affair, the particulars of which I had -never learned, had caused his dismissal from the -seminary, and, after drifting about the world for -a time, and mixing in very shady company, he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> -suddenly appeared in Berlin in the character of a -police agent.</p> - -<p>The exact nature of the services which he rendered -to the police was a mystery, but I had formed the -theory that he was employed as a spy on the German -Catholics, whose attachment to the House of Hohenzollern -has always been suspected in Berlin.</p> - -<p>The presence of this man in Paris was in itself an -unusual event. It did not occur to me to connect it -with the Spanish-American question, and that for a -very simple reason. Germany is the one country in -Europe which has never possessed a foot of soil in -the New World. Spain, Portugal, England, France, -and even Holland and Denmark have planted their -flags across the Atlantic, but the German Michael -has been content to remain at home while his neighbours -were colonising the globe.</p> - -<p>I received Kehler coldly. My acquaintance with -him was a purely professional one, and he was a man -whom I profoundly distrusted.</p> - -<p>As soon as I could do so, without positive rudeness, -I invited him to explain the object of his -visit.</p> - -<p>‘It is of a confidential nature,’ prefaced the -Bavarian. ‘May I assure myself that our conversation -will remain a secret between us two?’</p> - -<p>I bowed gravely.</p> - -<p>‘That is always understood, where I am concerned.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> -A man who desires to be trusted must begin by -establishing a reputation for secrecy.’</p> - -<p>Kehler contented himself with this assurance, dry -as it was.</p> - -<p>‘I thank you, Monsieur V——. Your reputation -is so well established that I had no intention except -to ask whether you were willing to receive the -proposals I have come to make?’</p> - -<p>‘Proceed, Herr Kehler, if you will be so good.’</p> - -<p>‘You have learnt, no doubt, that the Spanish -Government has made up its mind to concede the -terms demanded on behalf of the Cubans by the -United States?’</p> - -<p>Although I was not aware that things had reached -this point, I did not allow Kehler to see that he had -given me any information.</p> - -<p>‘By this act,’ he continued, ‘the Americans have, -in fact, declared that no European Power has any -right to enter their hemisphere without their permission.’</p> - -<p>‘All that is well known, Herr Kehler.’</p> - -<p>‘The question then arises whether the European -Powers will allow themselves to be driven out, one -by one, or whether, by a bold combination, they will -reduce the United States to some respect for the law -of nations.’</p> - -<p>‘Such a combination would be inopportune at this -moment, because the British would stand aloof.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span></p> - -<p>‘Because they look upon the struggle as one -between Spaniard and Cuban,’ Kehler rejoined -quickly. ‘But let us suppose there to be a war, -in which the United States was engaged against -Spain?’</p> - -<p>‘You have just said there will be no such war.’</p> - -<p>‘A war is always possible, provided those interested -in bringing it about are not too scrupulous.’</p> - -<p>This sinister language at length convinced me that -the Bavarian had not come to see me for nothing. I -decided to draw him out.</p> - -<p>‘Provided such a war actually commenced, I agree -that some combination on behalf of Spain might be -possible,’ I murmured, as though reviewing the situation -in my mind. ‘But where is the Government -sufficiently in earnest to undertake so terrible a -responsibility?’</p> - -<p>‘It is that Government,’ Kehler responded, ‘which -sees its subjects departing in greater numbers every -year, but which looks around in vain for some unoccupied -region towards which to direct the stream -of emigration.’</p> - -<p>‘You mean Germany?’</p> - -<p>‘We look around us,’ he continued, scarcely -noticing my interruption, ‘and we see all the continents -staked out in advance by other Powers: Asia -by England and Russia, Africa by England and -France, North America by England and the United<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> -States, Australia by England alone. There remains -only South America, in the possession of weak Latin -races, unable to make use of their advantages, but -who are protected in their decay by the bullies of -Washington.’</p> - -<p>‘A war in which the United States found itself -fully occupied would be a fine opportunity for the -German Michael to plant his standard in Brazil or -the Argentine, I understand.’</p> - -<p>Kehler looked at me earnestly.</p> - -<p>‘The man who undertook the task of making -such a war inevitable, without compromising exalted -personages, would be no loser,’ he remarked -significantly.</p> - -<p>I looked back at the Bavarian before demanding—</p> - -<p>‘Have you any definite scheme to put before -me?’</p> - -<p>‘Until I know that you accept,’ he demurred.</p> - -<p>‘I do not know that you are accredited,’ I reminded -him.</p> - -<p>‘What authority do you require?’</p> - -<p>‘The Imperial autograph simply.’</p> - -<p>‘Impossible.’</p> - -<p>‘I am accustomed to be trusted by my employers,’ -I returned decidedly. ‘I cannot act under any other -conditions.’</p> - -<p>‘That is final?’</p> - -<p>‘It is final.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span></p> - -<p>‘Then I am afraid I can only ask you to forget -that I have occupied so much of your time.’</p> - -<p>I allowed Kehler to rise and take his departure -without making the least sign. The moment he was -out of hearing I sprang to the telephone and rang up -the agent of the Sugar Trust.</p> - -<p>Herr Kehler’s refusal to produce the guarantee for -which I asked convinced me that he contemplated -some action of a character doubtful, to say the least, -if not criminal.</p> - -<p>It would have been useless for me to communicate -my suspicions to the American Minister in Paris. -The diplomacy of the United States, blunt and self-reliant, -takes little account of the subterranean intrigue -which pervades European politics. But the -Government of Washington was not the only factor -concerned. As Europe is beginning to learn, the -Union is a federation, not so much of those geographical -divisions which are painted in different -colours on the map, and called States, but of those -vast organisations of capital which control the -American electoral system, and fill the Senate with -their delegates. Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Virginia, -Illinois—these are merely names for school children; -the Silver Ring, the Steel Trust, the Cotton Trust, -the Pork Trust—such are the true American -Powers.</p> - -<p>During the whole of the Cuban negotiation the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> -Sugar and Tobacco Trusts had been represented in -Paris by agents whose object it was to avert an -annexation of Cuba by the United States, an act -which would, of course, mean the free admission of -Cuban sugar and tobacco into the markets. Adonijah -B. Stearine, the Sugar Agent, was a shrewd man, and -I had no doubt I should find him a ready listener to -what I had to say.</p> - -<p>Within an hour of Kehler’s departure, Mr. Stearine -was seated in my office. I had to pick my words -carefully not to break the promise of secrecy into -which I had been beguiled.</p> - -<p>‘I have just seen a secret agent who wanted me to -help him in some trick to force on a war between -the States and Spain.’</p> - -<p>Stearine rolled his eyes and whistled thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>‘Who sent him?’</p> - -<p>‘I can’t say. He refused to disclose his principal, -and so I would have nothing to do with him.’</p> - -<p>The Sugar Agent pursed up his lips, and frowned.</p> - -<p>‘I guess this is a dodge of Bugg’s,’ he muttered.</p> - -<p>‘What Bugg?’</p> - -<p>‘You don’t say you haven’t heard of Bugg—Milk -W. Bugg, the Pork Trust’s man over here? -I reckon Bugg is the smartest man in Chicago, and -Chicago is the smartest town in the States, and -the States is the smartest country on earth; so there -you are.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span></p> - -<p>‘The man who came to me is a German,’ I -hinted.</p> - -<p>‘Bugg’s smartness,’ was the comment.</p> - -<p>‘He wanted me to think he came from Berlin.’</p> - -<p>‘Bugg is real smart,’ breathed Mr. Stearine with -admiration.</p> - -<p>It was evident that the agent of the Sugar Trust -was unable to see past the figure of his rival, which -filled up his mental horizon. I did not consider it -worth while to argue the point.</p> - -<p>‘The question is, Do you want this to be stopped?’ -I said.</p> - -<p>Stearine looked at me with something like surprise.</p> - -<p>‘Think you can?’ he questioned briefly.</p> - -<p>‘I know the man who is at work. I can shadow -him and find out what he is doing.’</p> - -<p>‘You will have to be almighty quick about it,’ -retorted the other. ‘When did this man get -away!’</p> - -<p>‘Only an hour ago,’</p> - -<p>Mr. Stearine gazed at me with a disconcerting -scrutiny. Then he remarked slowly and emphatically—</p> - -<p>‘If this is Bugg’s game, and you have given him -an hour’s start, I calculate he will be opening a store -in Havana this day six months.’</p> - -<p>The Pork Trust, it was clear, had everything to -gain by a war by which the Sugar Trust had everything<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> -to lose. But, in spite of Mr. Stearine’s confident -assurances, I continued to have my own -opinion about the power behind Herr Kehler.</p> - -<p>‘Do you want me to act?’ I demanded briefly.</p> - -<p>‘I want you to take a hand—yes.’ The Sugar -Agent took out his pocket-book, and counted out -bills to the amount of ten thousand dollars. ‘You -can play up to that,’ he added, ‘and then you can -let me know how the game stands. I guess I shall -buy Pork Consols.’</p> - -<p>With this discouraging observation, Stearine left.</p> - -<p>It did not take me long to decide on my plans. -As it was not likely that Kehler was apprehensive -of being watched, it would be an easy task to trace -him, and I at once gave orders to my staff to that -effect, with the result that I learned in a few hours -that the Bavarian had put up at the Hotel des -Deux Aigles, and was leaving by the Sud Express -for Madrid.</p> - -<p>I now decided on one of the boldest and most -effective strokes in my repertory. I went openly to -the station, took my own ticket, and entered the -compartment of the sleeping-car in which Kehler -had booked his own place.</p> - -<p>The real astonishment of the Bavarian at seeing -me I met with an affectation of moderate surprise -on my own part.</p> - -<p>‘So you are going with me?’ I observed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span></p> - -<p>‘With you!’ Kehler exclaimed.</p> - -<p>‘It appears so. No doubt you have been instructed?’</p> - -<p>Kehler denied it energetically.</p> - -<p>‘But you refused to participate in a certain design,’ -he reminded me.</p> - -<p>‘I laid down certain conditions, which you declined -to fulfil, but which have since been complied with by -your principal.’</p> - -<p>The Bavarian was thunderstruck. I relied upon -his having reported his failure to whomever it was -that had sent him to me; and there was nothing -impossible in the suggestion that I had in consequence -been approached directly.</p> - -<p>‘You have credentials, I suppose?’ he asked.</p> - -<p>I nodded carelessly.</p> - -<p>‘You will convince me, perhaps?’ he persisted.</p> - -<p>‘Are you authorised to convince me?’ was my -retort.</p> - -<p>‘You know it—no.’</p> - -<p>I shrugged my shoulders and remained silent.</p> - -<p>So commenced the most extraordinary journey I -have ever taken, a journey which was destined to -end only at Havana. Across France and Spain and -the Atlantic Ocean we travelled side by side, each -unwilling to lose sight of the other; I, resolved to -find out and if possible thwart the designs of my -companion; Kehler, unable to determine whether I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> -was an opponent, a rival, or a spy set over him by -those on whose behalf he was engaged.</p> - -<p>On the frontier, at Hendaye, a despatch was -handed in to me through the carriage window. It -was from Stearine, and contained these words, whose -terrible significance I was designed to learn later—</p> - -<p>‘<em>United States warship</em> Maine <em>arrived harbour -Havana.</em>’</p> - -<p>The agent of the Sugar Trust had been too careful -to say more. But it was clear that he regarded this -event as a move in the game played by the great -exporting Trusts.</p> - -<p>From the moment of our arrival in Madrid I was -no longer able to keep a close watch on Kehler, -though by a sort of tacit agreement we stayed at -the same hotel. I found out that he was paying -visits to the Provincials of the Jesuit and Franciscan -Orders, and had been admitted as a visitor to one or -two convents, and for a time I was tempted to relax -my suspicions, and to think that the Bavarian was -engaged in some Catholic espionage. These doubts -were suddenly dissipated by my meeting him one -day in the courtyard of the hotel attired in the -habit of a priest—the dress of which he had been -deprived on account of his youthful misconduct.</p> - -<p>I could not doubt that this dress was a mere -disguise, and that it had been assumed for a political -purpose. I went up to him and whispered—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span></p> - -<p>‘Do we still recognise each other, or do you prefer -that we meet as strangers?’</p> - -<p>‘As fellow-travellers simply, I should prefer,’ he -responded.</p> - -<p>The next day he had disappeared from the hotel. -I set the agencies at my command to work, and -learned without much difficulty that passages had -been reserved for the false priest and a Sister of -Mercy travelling under his protection, on board a -Spanish steamer sailing from Cadiz to Havana.</p> - -<p>Needless to add, I was on board the same steamer -when she quitted her moorings and breasted the -waves of the open sea. During the voyage I had -many opportunities of watching Kehler and his companion, -who were constantly together, holding long -private conversations in retired corners of the vessel. -The nun, who was presented to me as Sister Marie-Joseph, -was a pale, delicate-looking girl of about -twenty, with that abstracted look in her eyes which -betokens a mind wavering between earnestness and -hallucination.</p> - -<p>Dimly, and through clouds of uncertainty, I began -to perceive that Kehler had ransacked the convents -of Madrid for a suitable instrument, and that he -was hard at work hypnotising the unfortunate girl’s -mind, so as to prepare it for any suggestion he -might have to make.</p> - -<p>Before we reached Cuba I contrived to speak to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> -the Sister apart. I found her reserved and distrustful -of a heretic, as she had evidently been told -to consider me. On my satisfying her that I had -been brought up a Catholic, she became slightly -more communicative, and revealed a disposition -singularly sincere and devoted, but almost morbid -in its detestation of Protestantism. She betrayed a -feeling of horror at the idea of American domination -in the Catholic island of Cuba, and it was in vain -that I represented to her the generous tolerance -accorded to our religion in the United States.</p> - -<p>I did not dare to ask her the subject of her -conferences with Kehler. To have hinted at the -Bavarian’s true character would have been simply -to forfeit her confidence in myself. I decided to -reserve my efforts in this direction until our arrival -in Havana, where I did not doubt that I should be -able to find some responsible ecclesiastic who would -undertake the investigation of Kehler’s antecedents.</p> - -<p>In the meantime I could only wait and watch. -I was painfully impressed by the steady growth of -the false priest’s influence over his victim, who -seemed at last to respond to his least word or -gesture. I had before me the spectacle of a possible -Teresa or Elizabeth being gradually transformed into -a Ravaillac by the dexterous touches of a rascally -police agent.</p> - -<p>As soon as we entered the harbour Kehler and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> -his companion got ready to disembark. I noticed -that at this moment they were separated, the Sister -going ashore by herself with a large basket trunk, -while her protector followed at some distance behind.</p> - -<p>They met again at the hotel, to which I had -accompanied the man. By this time I had forced -a certain degree of acquaintance on the couple, -though I was unable to interrupt the intimacy of -their private intercourse. I arranged to secure a -room next to that of the Sister, and I observed -with some surprise that Herr Kehler was lodged in -another wing of the building.</p> - -<p>By a coincidence we found the hotel full of naval -officers from the <i>Maine</i>, who had chosen it for -their headquarters while on shore. Instead of disconcerting -Kehler, this circumstance appeared to -give him every satisfaction.</p> - -<p>He went out of his way to show civility to the -Americans, and rapidly became intimate with several -of them. Sister Marie-Joseph, on the other hand, -held sullenly aloof, scarcely able to repress some -signs of the abhorrence which the sight of the -heretics inspired.</p> - -<p>The visit of the <i>Maine</i> was understood to be -a pacific one. It was a demonstration to the -world that the relations between the United States -and Spain continued to be those of perfect friendship, -and that the former Power was inspired by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> -peaceful motives in seeking to bring about an understanding -between the belligerent Cubans and the -mother-country.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless it was an imprudent act to send a -man-of-war, flying the Stars and Stripes, into the -harbour of a place swarming with fanatical Spaniards, -furious at the interference of another Power between -them and their revolted subjects. It was, in fact, -a provocation, and it was not surprising that the -astute agent of the Sugar Trust had seen in this -proceeding the work of those commercial powers -whose interest lay in the direction of a rupture.</p> - -<p>Faithful to my preconceived intention, I took an -early opportunity of waiting upon a high Church -functionary in the city, to warn him of the true -character of the Bavarian.</p> - -<p>The reception I met with was a cold one, however. -Monsignor X—— allowed me to see that he considered -me an officious person.</p> - -<p>‘May I ask what is your interest in all this?’ he -demanded, as soon as I had made my statement.</p> - -<p>‘I represent the Sugar Trust,’ I told him.</p> - -<p>‘The Sugar Trust?’</p> - -<p>‘The manufacturers of sugar in the United States, -who fear the competition of cane sugar, and are -therefore opposed to the annexation of Cuba, which -would involve free trade with the island,’ I explained.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_046" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_046.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘We shall find out whether he is a priest,’ was the retort.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>‘And you suggest that this Father Kehler——?’</p> - -<p>‘Herr Kehler,’ I corrected. ‘This man is no more -a priest than I am. He is believed to be the agent -of a Chicago Trust, which desires to see Cuba brought -within the Union.’</p> - -<p>‘We shall find out whether he is a priest,’ was -the retort. ‘Before he can say Mass in this diocese -he will have to apply for permission, and to show -his ordination papers.’</p> - -<p>‘But if he does not wish to say Mass? If he -merely confines himself to directing the Sister whom -he has conducted here?’</p> - -<p>‘In that case we cannot interfere. We have no -more proof that she is a Sister than that he is a -priest?’</p> - -<p>I gave Monsignor X—— an indignant look, which -he bore with coolness.</p> - -<p>‘Besides, what is it that you apprehend?’ he asked. -‘One cannot deal with imaginary dangers.’</p> - -<p>‘I am sure that these two persons are bent on -some desperate enterprise—that their presence in -Havana bodes no good to the cause of peace,’ was -all I could find to say.</p> - -<p>The ecclesiastic made a scornful gesture.</p> - -<p>‘It appears to me that this is a matter which -concerns the police,’ he said, in a tone which signified -that the interview was at an end.</p> - -<p>I returned to my quarters, realising to the full<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> -the difficulty of any effective action. To go to the -police would be merely to invite a repetition of the -snub which I had just received from the ecclesiastical -authority. I could only rely on my own resources.</p> - -<p>I sent a wire to Stearine: ‘<em>War agent here as -priest, accompanied by nun</em>,’ and waited. It was -just possible that Stearine might have connections -through which those who had power in the Church -at Havana might be influenced, in which case I had -no doubt that Monsignor X—— would very quickly -become interested in the doings of ‘Father’ Kehler.</p> - -<p>I can hardly tell what it was precisely that I -expected to happen. I had some idea of an assassination, -possibly of the captain of the <i>Maine</i>, or -perhaps of the American Consul, by Sister Marie-Joseph.</p> - -<p>Day by day I perceived the unhappy girl becoming more -and more wrought up to the pitch of -enthusiasm necessary for the perpetration of some -hideous deed, like that of Charlotte Corday, or -Judith. Curiously enough, the poor Sister showed -an inclination for my society, perhaps because I was -a familiar face. She would sit beside me in the -drawing-room of the hotel and talk about her convent, -in which she had been educated and passed -most of her life.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp55" id="i_048" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_048.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“She would talk about her convent.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>I learned that she was of a noble family, rendered -poor by the ravages committed in the course of the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>Cuban insurrection, a fact which may have helped to -exasperate her spirit. But I sought in vain to draw -her into any confidences on the subject of her -mission to Havana. The moment I touched on -that topic she became dumb, and made an excuse to -leave me.</p> - -<p>During the next few days I observed the intimacy -between Kehler and the American officers becoming -closer. The German could speak English fluently, -and this circumstance naturally recommended him -as a companion in a place where Spanish and French -are almost the only languages known to the inhabitants. -There was a young lieutenant, or sub-lieutenant, -in particular, who was constantly in -Kehler’s company, viewing the sights of the town, or -smoking with him on the hotel verandah. Suspecting -that my man had some object in cultivating this -lieutenant, I endeavoured to make his acquaintance -myself, only to find my advances rebuffed in a -manner which showed me plainly that Kehler had -been at work disparaging me beforehand.</p> - -<p>One day as I was standing on the verandah I -noticed the pair come out of the hotel together, and -turn in the direction of the harbour. I followed at -a discreet distance, and saw the officer conduct -Kehler into a boat, manned by sailors from the -<i>Maine</i>, in which they pulled off to the ship. I -stood watching, and at the end of about an hour I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> -saw them coming back, the face of the false priest -wearing a serious expression.</p> - -<p>I took advantage of my acquaintance with him -to meet the pair as they landed, and accost them -carelessly.</p> - -<p>‘You have been to have a look over the ship?’ I -threw out.</p> - -<p>Kehler tried to pass on with a careless nod, but -the lieutenant, less discreet, drew himself up with a -severe glance at me.</p> - -<p>‘Father Kehler has been good enough to visit a -poor sailor who is lying sick on board,’ he said, in a -tone evidently meant to rebuke my impertinence.</p> - -<p>I bowed with assumed respect. But as they went -on their way I experienced a sensation of alarm. -The pretext which had imposed on the officer was -transparent enough as far as I was concerned. I -realised that Kehler was steadily pursuing some -well-thought-out design, and that he had contrived -this visit to the man-of-war with some dark purpose -which it was my business to discover.</p> - -<p>I determined at length, since Kehler’s friend was -so strongly prejudiced, to seek out some other -officer, preferably the commander, and take him -into my full confidence. Unhappily events marched -too swiftly for me. That very evening it was already -too late.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp71" id="i_050" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_050.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="captionx"><p>“‘Father Kehler has been good enough to visit a poor sailor who -is lying sick on board,’ he said, in a tone evidently meant -to rebuke my impertinence.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Passing through the entrance hall on my way -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span>upstairs to dress for dinner, I was struck by the -sight of the basket-trunk belonging to Sister Marie-Joseph -standing strapped-up, ready to go away. At -the foot of the staircase I encountered the Sister -herself, evidently prepared for departure.</p> - -<p>She appeared pleased to have the opportunity of -bidding me farewell.</p> - -<p>‘I shall not forget you where I am going,’ she -said with a mournful smile, as she extended her -hand.</p> - -<p>‘May one inquire where that will be?’ I ventured -to ask.</p> - -<p>She shook her head.</p> - -<p>‘It is an affair of duty. I am going a very long -way, and you will never see me again.’</p> - -<p>‘And Father Kehler,’ I forced myself to say, ‘does -he accompany you?’</p> - -<p>A momentary expression of repugnance, almost of -loathing, flashed out on her pale face.</p> - -<p>‘No, no! The padre has done his part in conducting -me so far, and finding me the situation of -which I was in search. I have parted with him -now, and we have nothing more to do with one -another.’</p> - -<p>This answer relieved my mind of a burden. I -came hastily to the conclusion that Kehler, finding -himself able to carry out his projects without assistance, -had decided to dispense with an embarrassing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> -ally, and I was glad to think that this poor girl -would be delivered from his evil influence.</p> - -<p>What blindness are we capable of towards those -very things which seem the clearest to our after-recollections!</p> - -<p>I took the precaution to ascertain at the bureau -that Kehler was still staying on in the hotel, and I -came down to dinner with a light heart.</p> - -<p>A number of the American officers were dining in -the hotel that night. There appeared to be a sort -of entertainment going forward, in which some -Spanish officers from the garrison were fraternising -with them.</p> - -<p>Kehler, deprived of the company of his lieutenant, -sat at a small table by himself, and I noticed that -he was drinking heavily, while his flushed face and -inflamed eyes showed him to be labouring with an -excitement which I ascribed to the influence of -the wine.</p> - -<p>I sat down at another table, and busied myself -with efforts to disentangle the threads of the intrigue -which was being woven around me. I cast a thought -or two after the poor girl, with whom I had been so -strangely associated.</p> - -<p>Absorbed in these thoughts, I did not mark the -evening advancing, when I was gradually aroused by -the breaking up of the military party. The lieutenant, -who had shown so strong a dislike for me,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> -rose from his seat and came my way, taking a -Spanish officer by the arm.</p> - -<p>As they approached, I perceived from his gait -that the American had been affected by the healths -he had been drinking. I saw him point me out -to his companion as they approached, and he -muttered something in the other’s ear, which caused -the Spaniard to turn on me a glance of grave -disgust.</p> - -<p>Stung by this insufferable insolence, I sprang to -my feet, and placed myself in front of the lieutenant.</p> - -<p>‘Have you anything to say to me, sir?’ I said -sternly.</p> - -<p>‘Nothing. I do not talk with spies,’ was the coarse -retort.</p> - -<p>‘But you take them on board the ship it is your -duty to guard,’ I returned fiercely, carried out of -myself.</p> - -<p>The lieutenant drew back, amazed.</p> - -<p>‘I have taken a worthy priest to console a dying -man—one of his own faith,’ he stammered out.</p> - -<p>‘A German police agent, disguised as a priest, I -suppose you mean. The spy Kehler?’</p> - -<p>He began to tremble violently. ‘But the Sister! -The nurse!’</p> - -<p>‘Sister Marie-Joseph! What do you mean?’</p> - -<p>‘She is on board now, nursing O’Callaghan.’</p> - -<p>It was my turn to utter an oath of consternation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span></p> - -<p>‘Come with me. Take me on board instantly, or -take me to your commander.’</p> - -<p>‘We will go on board,’ said the sobered lieutenant.</p> - -<p>Glancing round as I followed him out I saw that -Kehler had disappeared. Quickening our steps by -a common instinct, the lieutenant and I almost ran -down to the water’s edge.</p> - -<p>‘Thank God!’ burst from his lips as we came in -sight of the majestic vessel lying peacefully at her -anchors in the calm waters of the bay, her spars and -turrets outlined against the clear, starlit sky, and -only a few twinkling lights betraying the presence -of the two hundred men who slept below her decks. -The same instant there was a spout of fire, a cloud -of wreck and dust mounted to heaven, and a -thunderous boom stunned our ears, and sent the -waters of the bay dashing up at our feet.</p> - -<p>The <i>Maine</i> had broken like a bubble. I saw all -in a flash—in some dark way that will never now be -revealed Sister Marie-Joseph had blown up the <i>Maine</i>. -Kehler had succeeded—I had failed.</p> - -<p>It has not been easy for me to write the story of -what I regard as the greatest failure of my career. -My mistake was the initial one of refusing to purchase -Kehler’s confidences, by the expedient of pledging -myself to assist his enterprise.</p> - -<p>Immediately the intelligence of the disaster reached -Europe Stearine sent me a cable peremptorily enjoining<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> -silence. That injunction I consider has now -lost its force through three circumstances, the lapse -of time, the death in action of Lieutenant ——, and -the living suicide of the arch-criminal, haunted by -the horror of his own deed, in the deathlike cloisters -of La Trappe.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="III">III<br /> - -<span class="fs80">THE MYSTERY OF CAPTAIN DREYFUS</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">Every one must feel that the last word has not -been said on that extraordinary transaction which -convulsed France, and shocked Europe, during the -close of the nineteenth century, under the name of -the Dreyfus Case.</p> - -<p>It is true that no effort has been spared by the -Government of the Republic to put an end to an -agitation which threatened to develop into a civil -war. A general amnesty has been proclaimed; the -courts of law have been forbidden to entertain any -proceedings involving the guilt or innocence of -Captain Dreyfus, his accusers or his partisans, and -the French press has been appealed to, in the name -of patriotism, to close its columns to all further -discussion of the dangerous topic.</p> - -<p>Such an attitude, adopted in order to save France -from disruption, is not without a certain dignity; -but it is at the same time terribly unjust. It is as if -France had repeated to the victim of the Devil’s Isle<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> -the memorable words—‘It is better that one man -should die for the people.’</p> - -<p>The one person in Europe who is completely -ignorant of the true motives underlying this grim -tragedy is without doubt Dreyfus himself. That -taciturn, commonplace figure, suddenly elevated -into the position of criminal, martyr, and hero, -was merely the shuttlecock driven through the air -by unseen hands. Even if he was guilty of writing -the celebrated bordereau—a question which the -Court of Rennes decided in the affirmative—he -must have done it by the order of others, given -for reasons which he did not comprehend.</p> - -<p>It will be remembered that before and during the -second trial of Dreyfus, the strongest efforts were -put forth on his behalf by three foreign Powers—those -composing the Triple Alliance. The German, -Austrian, and Italian military <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">attachés</span>, breaking -through the etiquette of their position, disclaimed, -each on his personal word of honour, any dealings -with the alleged spy.</p> - -<p>Not only so, but I myself sent for the Paris correspondent -of a London newspaper of high standing, -and authorised him to inform his readers that the -German Emperor himself was prepared personally -to exculpate the accused from the charge of selling -information to Germany.</p> - -<p>This offer, made privately to the French President,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> -was declined for the same reasons which -prompted the Government to hush up the whole -affair. But every thoughtful man will realise that -it would not have been made unless there had -been more at stake than the freedom of an obscure -captain.</p> - -<p>My own connection with the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Affaire Dreyfus</i> dates -from the time of the first trial and sentence, when -the theatrical spectacle of the degradation of the -unfortunate officer was the theme of universal comment. -At this juncture I received a visit from -Colonel ——, an officer high in the Emperor’s -confidence, and at that time attached to the German -Embassy in Paris.</p> - -<p>‘I have come to you,’ he announced, as soon as -we found ourselves alone, ‘by command of his -Imperial Majesty the Kaiser.’</p> - -<p>I bowed respectfully as I replied—</p> - -<p>‘I am deeply honoured by this fresh proof of his -Majesty’s confidence.’</p> - -<p>The Colonel regarded me for a moment with some -curiosity.</p> - -<p>‘You are a sort of spy, are you not?’ he inquired.</p> - -<p>I refused to take offence at this blunt question, so -natural on the part of a soldier.</p> - -<p>‘Each of us has his own part to play,’ I explained -suavely. ‘The soldier fights with the enemy in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> -the open field; the man of my profession has to -encounter the foes who burrow underground.’</p> - -<p>Colonel —— appeared satisfied.</p> - -<p>‘The Kaiser trusts you; that is enough for me,’ -he declared. ‘You will not dare to betray this -confidence?’</p> - -<p>This time I rose to my feet, stern and contemptuous.</p> - -<p>‘You have not come here to insult me, I suppose, -Colonel? If you are the bearer of instructions from -the Kaiser, be good enough to deliver them without -comment; if not, I will attend to my other business.’</p> - -<p>The German’s face betrayed his astonishment at -this rebuke. He hastened to mutter an apology, -which I received in silence.</p> - -<p>‘His Majesty wishes you to investigate this <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Affaire -Dreyfus</i>, on his behalf. There is some secret motive -for the notoriety which they are conferring on this -unlucky spy’—the Colonel gave me an apprehensive -glance as he pronounced this word—‘and the Kaiser -is determined to find out what it is. It appears -that we are being made a sort of stalking-horse in -the business; it is pretended that Dreyfus was an -agent of ours, which is utterly untrue.’ The German -smiled sardonically as he added: ‘Our information -is supplied to us from higher sources than a simple -captain of artillery, and we can get as much as we -choose to pay for.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span></p> - -<p>‘Is it not likely that Dreyfus may be the scapegoat -of others—perhaps those higher sources to which -you refer?’</p> - -<p>The Colonel shook his head.</p> - -<p>‘That does not explain the persistence with which -they are trying to connect the affair with Germany. -I have information that the heads of the French -Army are representing that France is in actual -danger. The bitterness with which Dreyfus is -assailed is due, they pretend, to a sense of the -national peril.’</p> - -<p>‘And all that is quite untrue, I understand?’</p> - -<p>‘So untrue that I have reason to know that -Wilhelm II. has a particular desire to conciliate -the French——’ The Colonel stopped abruptly as -if he had been on the point of saying too much.</p> - -<p>‘Very good. Then I am to find out for his -Majesty as much as I can about this affair, and -particularly why it is sought to represent Dreyfus -as an agent of Germany?’</p> - -<p>Colonel —— nodded.</p> - -<p>It was not an easy task to set me; nevertheless, -I had some hope of success. It so happened that -I had formerly had transactions of a confidential -nature with General Garnier, one of the foremost, -if not the foremost, figure among the persecutors of -Dreyfus. I had the right to approach this General -as a friend, and I had reasons for believing that he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> -might be willing to open his mouth for a sufficient -consideration.</p> - -<p>Shortly after Colonel ——’s departure, therefore, -I strolled round to the General’s private residence, -off the Avenue Clichy. Garnier was not at home, -but I left a message with the concierge that the -dealer in old coins, who had formerly sold him some -Roman specimens, had just obtained others which -he was anxious to submit for inspection.</p> - -<p>As I anticipated, this message had the desired -result of bringing General Garnier to see me the -same night. He came, not to my public bureau, -but to a little apartment in the Quartier Latin which -I rent for the purpose of interviews with clients who -do not wish their acquaintance with me to be known.</p> - -<p>It was evident that my summons had annoyed, -perhaps frightened, him.</p> - -<p>‘Now, Monsieur V——, what does this mean?’ -he blustered, as I closed the door behind him.</p> - -<p>‘It means, <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Monsieur le Général</span>, that I have a -question to ask you, but that I do not expect you -to answer it for nothing.’</p> - -<p>Garnier was visibly relieved to discover that I had -not sent for him to extort blackmail. But his reply -was not encouraging.</p> - -<p>‘I fear that you have given yourself trouble uselessly. -It is not my intention to sell any information -of a kind which cannot be given openly.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span></p> - -<p>I knew the man I was dealing with too well to -take this answer as final.</p> - -<p>‘Without doubt you are right to remind me that -a man like yourself ought to be approached with a -great deal of circumspection,’ I returned, with a -mixture of politeness and irony.</p> - -<p>Garnier’s face flushed.</p> - -<p>‘I mean what I have said,’ he affirmed. ‘You -must not suppose that you are dealing to-day with -Colonel Garnier. In my position one has responsibilities -to which there attaches itself a sentiment -of honour, you understand, M. V——?’</p> - -<p>My experience has not taught me that men become -more scrupulous by being promoted from the rank -of Colonel to that of General, but only that they -become more greedy. I replied—</p> - -<p>‘I understand of course that one does not buy old -coins at the same price from a general officer as from -a field officer.’</p> - -<p>Garnier’s face assumed a look of indecision.</p> - -<p>‘For whom are you acting, this time?’ he -demanded.</p> - -<p>‘General, if any one had asked me formerly from -where I had procured my Roman coins, what do you -suppose my answer would have been?’</p> - -<p>Garnier tugged thoughtfully at his moustache, as -he frowned over a refusal which was, at the same -time, a proof that he could trust me.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp97" id="i_062" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_062.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘As to that—impossible!’ he exclaimed with vigour. ‘That is our secret—ours, -you understand.’”</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span></p> - -<p>‘Suppose you explain to me what information you -are in search of?’ he said, throwing himself into a -chair.</p> - -<p>I thought the battle was won, as I responded—</p> - -<p>‘It concerns the Dreyfus Case.’</p> - -<p>To my surprise, Garnier bounded out of the seat -into which he had just dropped.</p> - -<p>‘As to that—impossible!’ he exclaimed with -vigour. ‘That is our secret—<em>ours</em>, you understand.’</p> - -<p>I listened to this declaration with secret dismay. -It revealed to me that the fate of Dreyfus was in -some manner connected with the interest of the -heads of the French Army, in short, with Garnier’s -own; and from his tone I suspected that I was -questioning the arch-plotter.</p> - -<p>There was still the chance that he might be willing -to part with the secret if he could be assured -that it would not be used against him.</p> - -<p>‘Suppose I required this information on behalf -of a friendly monarch, who is himself a soldier, -and who might be willing to pledge his word that -it should not be made use of to your disadvantage?’</p> - -<p>Garnier gazed at me as though he would have read -the name of this monarch in my eyes.</p> - -<p>‘Impossible,’ he repeated, in a tone of real regret; -‘<em>twice impossible!</em>’ And, as though anxious to convince -me that his refusal was not unfriendly, he -added—‘It is not a question of a Boulanger this time.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span></p> - -<p>Perceiving that I could not press him further without -showing my own hand, I reluctantly allowed -Garnier to depart. He had in reality told me more -than he suspected.</p> - -<p>In the first place, he had convinced me that the -Kaiser’s suspicions were not idle, by his reception of -my hint that I was acting for a foreign Power. If -the ferocious sentence on Dreyfus had been inspired -by spite against an unpopular officer, or by a desire -to find a scapegoat for bigger traitors; or if it had -merely been an episode in the secret duel between -the Church and the Freemasons, as the champions of -Dreyfus were inclined to believe, there would have -been no meaning in that regretful ‘Twice impossible!’ -If Garnier had refused to sell his secret to a foreign -Power, I knew him well enough to feel assured that -it must be because that Power was in some way interested -to defeat Garnier’s conspiracy.</p> - -<p>But the real clue had been placed in my hands by -those concluding words—‘It is not a question of a -Boulanger this time.’</p> - -<p>Such a phrase constituted a riddle which few -men in Europe were better able than myself to -decipher.</p> - -<p>Boulanger was an adventurer, lifted on a wave of -popular favour, who had seemed likely at one moment -to overturn the republic and replace it by a military -dictatorship with himself at the head. He had failed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> -because he was a mere adventurer, who represented -no principle, and who lacked that personal prestige -with the Army which is only acquired by successful -leadership in war.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless his career had revealed the weakness -of the Republic, and proved that all that was necessary -to bring about its downfall was an alliance -between the military caste and some pretender with -more substantial claims than those conferred by the -shouts of the Paris mob.</p> - -<p>Every one who knows anything of France knows -that the soldiers have long chafed under the ascendency -of the lawyers, which is a necessary consequence -of Republican institutions. But Garnier’s words, if I -interpreted them rightly, showed that the lesson of -Boulanger’s failure had been laid to heart, and that -this time the military conspiracy which undoubtedly -existed had found a really formidable figurehead. In -short, it was a question not of a military dictator, but -of a monarch; not of a Boulanger, but of a Bourbon -or a Bonaparte.</p> - -<p>I found myself on the brink of a discovery of first-rate -importance. For the success of such a military -revolution as that indicated only two things seemed -necessary, a candidate and an occasion. If my -diagnosis were sound, a candidate had been found -in Philippe d’Orléans, the representative of the -ancient monarchy, or Victor Napoleon, the heir of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> -the Bonapartes. The occasion was to be furnished, -perhaps, by the long-delayed war of <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">la revanche</i>!</p> - -<p>As soon as I had reduced my thoughts to some -sort of order I decided that my next step must be to -ascertain which of the two pretenders, who seemed -pointed out for the leading <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rôle</i> in such a conspiracy, -was the chosen one. The Duke of Orleans was at -this time in England, while the home of Prince -Napoleon, as every one knows, is in the neighbourhood -of Brussels.</p> - -<p>I despatched two of my most trusted subordinates, -one to Belgium, and the other to England, with instructions -to keep a close watch on the movements -of both princes, and to let me know if there were any -signs of unusual activity which would indicate that -some stroke was in preparation.</p> - -<p>In Paris I kept up a similar watch on the headquarters -of the Royalist and Bonapartist parties. -The Royalists are formidable, thanks to the influence -of society; but the Bonapartist cause is represented -by a small and dwindling clique of journalists and -demagogues, who exhaust themselves in the effort to -revive the Napoleonic legend, by their parrot-like -repetition of the words <em>Marengo</em> and <em>Austerlitz</em>.</p> - -<p>I did not imagine that this noisy faction would be -intrusted with any important secret; and I was soon -satisfied that if the chiefs of the Army were really -contemplating a restoration, Bourbon or Bonapartist,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> -they had kept their design entirely to themselves.</p> - -<p>The first reports which I received from my agents -abroad were discouraging. The Bourbon Pretender, -who is without reticence, and seeks every opportunity -of advertising his personality, appeared to be quite -passive for the moment.</p> - -<p>Prince Victor Napoleon, a man of a very different -character, who withdraws himself as much as possible -from public notice, conscious, perhaps, that he has -inherited some of his father’s unpopularity, was also -leading his usual quiet life, and no evidence was -forthcoming of any secret intelligence between him -and the group of generals who controlled the French -army.</p> - -<p>Things were in this position, and I was beginning -to feel dissatisfied with the slow progress I was -making, when I was suddenly called to the telephone -one evening by my agent in Brussels, who had at -last some important news for me.</p> - -<p>‘Prince Victor is going to England,’ he announced, -after we had exchanged the password.</p> - -<p>‘To <em>England</em>!’ Was it possible that the two -rivals were about to meet? I asked myself. ‘When -does he depart?’</p> - -<p>‘Perhaps to-morrow. His secretary has been to -the Belgian Foreign Office to procure passports.’</p> - -<p>‘There are no passports required in England,’ I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> -returned, my suspicions instantly roused. ‘You -have been deceived. Have you seen the passport?’</p> - -<p>‘No. It was from the servants that I learned the -Prince was going to England.’</p> - -<p>‘It is a blind, rest assured. Keep the strictest -watch, and do not allow him to leave Brussels without -you. I shall come by the next train.’</p> - -<p>I rang off the communication, and hastened to -make the necessary preparations for a journey of -which I could not foresee the end.</p> - -<p>On alighting in the Belgian capital I was met by -my faithful henchman, who informed me with sparkling -eyes that he had succeeded, by means of a bribe, -in ascertaining from a clerk in the Foreign Office -that a passport had been granted to the Comte de -Saint Pol and secretary, travelling to Berlin.</p> - -<p>If anything had been needed to convince me that -the journey of Prince Napoleon had a serious purpose, -these concealments would have done so. I was -now confident that I was on the right track, and I -did not grudge the fatigue involved in a journey -across Europe.</p> - -<p>I ordered Fouqué, as my man was named, to resume -his watch on the Prince’s abode, while I waited -at the station from which the Berlin express takes -its departure. It was understood that we were both -to proceed by the same train as the Comte de Saint -Pol and his companion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span></p> - -<p>No hitch occurred; the Prince, accompanied by -his secretary and my agent, duly arrived to take their -seats in the train, and the four of us alighted together -in the capital of Germany. I had spent the -interval in considering my plan of action. I was so -far from foreseeing the true cause of Prince Napoleon’s -mysterious journey, that I expected to find -him closeted the next day with the German Emperor, -imparting the confidence which Garnier had refused -to me. The event proved very different.</p> - -<p>As soon as the two travellers had taken up their -quarters in a hotel, whither, it is needless to say, we -accompanied them, the secretary was sent out on an -errand by himself. Fouqué, of course, followed, and -came back in about an hour with the startling information -that the secretary had been to the Russian -Embassy.</p> - -<p>The meaning of this proceeding flashed upon me -at once. The real destination of the Prince was not -Berlin, but Petersburg. He was merely passing a -few hours in Berlin in order to confuse the trail, and -he had sent his passport to the Embassy to be <em>viséd</em> -for Russia.</p> - -<p>In order to make sure that my surmise was -correct, I decided to make use of my implied -authority to act on behalf of the German Government. -I ordered Fouqué to force his way bodily -into the Count’s apartment, announce himself as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> -an agent of the Berlin police, and demand to see -the stranger’s passport. The ruse was completely -successful, and I learned that the yellow seal of the -Russian Eagle had been affixed to the paper.</p> - -<p>My own task had now become difficult and -dangerous. Although I maintain friendly relations -with the Russian police, with whom I have often -collaborated, I knew they were not likely to tolerate -my intrusion into their territory as the spy of a -foreign Power. In dealing with half-reclaimed -savages like the Slaves, one never knows what -form their revenge will take, and Siberia is not a -country in which I have ever had any inclination -to reside.</p> - -<p>The plan which presented itself to my mind was -an audacious one, but in such situations audacity is -safer than faint-heartedness. I despatched Fouqué -to the headquarters of the Berlin police with a -denunciation against Prince Napoleon’s secretary for -the crime of <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">lèse-majesté</i>.</p> - -<p><i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Lèse-majesté</i> is the one offence which is never -treated lightly in German official quarters. Fouqué’s -information was eagerly taken down, and a police -officer promptly arrived at the hotel armed with a -warrant for the arrest of the traveller.</p> - -<p>M. Rémillard, the secretary, protested in vain that -he was a stranger, who had only that hour arrived -in Berlin, and was leaving Germany the next day;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> -and that he had never been guilty of the least disrespect -towards Wilhelm II.</p> - -<p>‘You declared that the Emperor was a babbler,’ -he was informed.</p> - -<p>‘Ah, but I meant the Emperor of Russia,’ retorted -the Frenchman smartly.</p> - -<p>‘What, is he a babbler, too?’ exclaimed the policeman—an -answer which, I believe, has since become -celebrated.</p> - -<p>But his ingenuity could not save the unlucky -secretary from arrest, and the Comte de Saint Pol -found himself obliged to proceed on his journey -alone. It remained for me to complete the execution -of my design, by substituting myself in the -place of M. Rémillard.</p> - -<p>This project, which would have been beyond the -powers of an ordinary police agent, was rendered -possible in my case by my extensive knowledge of -underground politics, and the reputation which I -have striven to deserve of a man whose faith can -be depended on.</p> - -<p>I dismissed Fouqué, whose further presence would -have embarrassed me, and took my seat in the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">coupé</i> -reserved for the Comte de Saint Pol in the Petersburg -express.</p> - -<p>In answer to the remonstrance with which my -intrusion was received, I explained that I was acting -under orders.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span></p> - -<p>‘Your travelling companion has been arrested, -<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Monsieur le Comte</span>, but perhaps I may be allowed -to supply his place.’</p> - -<p>‘Am I under arrest, too?’ Prince Victor demanded -with some indignation.</p> - -<p>‘Not at all,’ I answered, ‘but your movements are -of some interest to the German Government, or -rather the Emperor, who has honoured me with his -personal instructions.’</p> - -<p>‘What have my affairs to do with his Imperial -Majesty?’ inquired the Prince anxiously.</p> - -<p>‘Perhaps nothing, perhaps a great deal. You will, -at least allow, <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Monsieur le Comte</i>, that your passage -through Germany appears to be attended with some -mystery.’</p> - -<p>‘In short——?’</p> - -<p>‘In short, the Emperor will be glad to be honoured -by your confidence, <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Monseigneur</i>.’</p> - -<p>The Prince started at this title, and began narrowly -scrutinising my face, while he evidently considered -in his own mind what account to give of himself.</p> - -<p>‘It may assist you, perhaps,’ I went on to say, ‘if -I tell you that I already know nearly all that you -can tell me. I am M. V——.’</p> - -<p>At this name a change passed over Prince -Napoleon’s face. A silent struggle seemed to be -taking place in his breast. Presently he raised his -eyes to mine.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp98" id="i_072" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_072.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘Am I under arrest too?’ Prince Pierre demanded with some indignation.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>‘Tell me, M. V——, are you capable of forgetting -for a couple of hours that you are the Emperor’s -confidential agent, and favouring me with your disinterested -advice?’</p> - -<p>‘I believe so, always provided that your Highness -does not ask me to betray the confidences I have -received from others.’</p> - -<p>The Prince accepted this stipulation with frankness.</p> - -<p>‘In all probability you are in a position to tell me -more about the reasons for this journey than I know -myself. I am going, as a matter of fact, in search of -information.’</p> - -<p>I concealed as much as possible the shock of -surprise which this confession caused me. Up to -that moment I had naturally imagined that the -Prince was on his way to consult the Tsar, and -obtain his approval, as the ally of France, of whatever -designs were in progress. I now realised -suddenly that I had overlooked a factor in the -situation whose importance might be greater than -Prince Victor’s own.</p> - -<p>I need scarcely say that I refer to his brother -Louis.</p> - -<p>In enumerating the pretenders whose ambition -threatens the Republic, I had naturally omitted this -prince, whose claims seemed to be overshadowed -by those of his elder brother. I now recalled his -popularity as a young man of the most charming<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> -manners, and the prestige which he derives from -his rank in the Russian Army and the personal -friendship of the Tsar.</p> - -<p>What was more possible than that Garnier and -his comrades, passing over the unattractive elder, -should have chosen as the figurehead of their -usurpation this romantic character, who would be -doubly dependent on them, because he would be -doubly a usurper?</p> - -<p>These reflections passed through my mind swiftly -enough for me to answer without any perceptible -pause—</p> - -<p>‘You are paying a visit to your brother?’</p> - -<p>Prince Victor nodded, as though that were a -matter of course. It was easy to see that he felt it -a relief to be able to discuss the situation fully and -frankly with a man of experience and resource, one -who moreover had no reason for taking his brother’s -side.</p> - -<p>Briefly, his story came to this:—</p> - -<p>‘Some years ago, after the death of our father, my -brother had a long consultation with me about the -prospects of our family. He asserted that he was -more popular in France than I was, and suggested -that the chance of a Bonaparte restoration would be -improved if I would consent to abdicate in his favour. -This I naturally refused to do, but he pressed me, -and got other members of the family to do the same,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> -and at last I gave way so far as to say that if there -were a substantial prospect of success, and it really -depended on my resigning my rights in my brother’s -favour, I would do it.</p> - -<p>‘When I said that, of course, I thought it would be -a question of a popular plebiscite, like our uncle -received, and that I should be bound by the voice -of the majority. But ever since then I have seen -feelers put out from time to time in the Paris papers, -suggesting that I did not wish to insist on my rights -as the heir of the great Napoleon. And now within -the last few days I have received a letter from my -brother, informing me that a restoration is at last -possible, and calling on me to fulfil my pledge, and -publicly abdicate my claims.’</p> - -<p>I listened to this remarkable disclosure with the -keenest interest. It confirmed my suspicions on -almost every point, though I was still far from feeling -that I had obtained a complete solution to the -problem set me by Wilhelm II.</p> - -<p>My companion let it be seen plainly that he was -not very well pleased with the prospect of being -supplanted by his younger brother. I took this -feeling into account in the advice which I offered.</p> - -<p>‘The only thing you have told me that is new to -me, is the fact that Prince Louis is the person -favoured by the conspirators,’ I said. ‘I knew there -was some such plot on foot, but, like every one else,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> -I took it for granted that you were the only possible -candidate for the empire.’ My companion breathed -indignantly.</p> - -<p>‘As for the success of the movement, that is -highly problematical. You will not feel very satisfied -if you execute this solemn act, only to see your -brother rise for a moment on the shoulders of the -mob, and then vanish like Boulanger, leaving your -House more feeble than at present.’</p> - -<p>‘Then what do you advise me to say to my -brother?’ he asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>‘I think your course is perfectly clear. You are -entitled to demand the fullest information, in the -first place. If that satisfies you that your brother’s -success is assured, that no action on your part can -retard it, then you will act gracefully by conceding -a signature which will not deprive you of anything, -and will give you substantial claims on his gratitude. -But if you see that you are being asked to efface -yourself without sufficient grounds, you have only to -declare that you are not convinced, and to issue a -manifesto to your supporters in France, reminding -them that you are still the head of the House of -Bonaparte.’</p> - -<p>My companion received this suggestion with every -sign of satisfaction. During the remainder of the -journey I lost no opportunity of playing on the -same string, and making him feel that I was, as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> -it were, his ally, engaging in defeating a plot which -was much more against him than against the Republic.</p> - -<p>When we reached the Russian frontier, I had no -difficulty in inducing the Prince to pass me through -the barrier as the secretary of the Comte de Saint -Pol, and I thus entered Russia in perfect security, -in a character which would have amazed the Third -Section.</p> - -<p>On our arrival in Petersburg I asked Prince -Napoleon if he intended to go to his brother’s -address. He answered proudly—</p> - -<p>‘I am still the head of my House, I believe. It -would be more suitable for me to let my brother -know of my arrival in order that he may wait -upon me.’</p> - -<p>I willingly charged myself with the delivery of the -summons.</p> - -<p>The announcement that I came from Brussels -secured my instant admission to Prince Louis’s -presence.</p> - -<p>‘I have the honour to act as secretary to his -Imperial Highness, Prince Victor Napoleon,’ I -explained.</p> - -<p>‘Ah! In that case you bring me a letter from -him, no doubt?’</p> - -<p>‘I bring your Highness a message simply. The -Prince desires to see you.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span></p> - -<p>‘But I cannot leave Petersburg—surely my brother -knows that!’</p> - -<p>‘He knows it so well that he is in Petersburg.’</p> - -<p>Prince Louis sprang to his feet, thunderstruck.</p> - -<p>‘Victor is here!—already!’ he exclaimed in confusion.</p> - -<p>For answer I named the hotel at which we had -put up, explaining at the same time that the Prince -wished to preserve his incognito strictly.</p> - -<p>Prince Louis prepared to accompany me to the -hotel in the carriage which had brought me to his -house. As we drove along, he inquired—</p> - -<p>‘Are you in my brother’s confidence?’</p> - -<p>‘I believe I enjoy that honour,’ was my reply. ‘At -least I am acquainted with the business which has -brought him here.’</p> - -<p>‘Perhaps you can tell me something of my brother’s -views?’ he said, feeling his way.</p> - -<p>‘I think his Highness expects to receive full -information before he takes a step which will be -irrevocable.’</p> - -<p>‘Ah!’</p> - -<p>‘He thinks, perhaps, that you may have been -deceived by exaggerated promises, and that he -has the right to forbid any premature attempt -whose failure would damage the Bonapartist cause.’</p> - -<p>Prince Louis gnawed his moustache with some -impatience.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span></p> - -<p>‘My brother must not be unreasonable,’ he murmured. -‘One is never certain of success in these -attempts.’</p> - -<p>‘If you will allow me to advise you, you will -give him the fullest opportunity of judging of your -prospects. It would be a serious thing for everybody -if he were provoked into any public demonstration -against you.’</p> - -<p>The younger Prince changed colour.</p> - -<p>‘Is it so serious as that?’ he exclaimed. And -during the remainder of the drive he continued -wrapped in thought, only the working of his brow -betraying the anxiety within.</p> - -<p>The greeting between the brothers was cordial, -if not affectionate. I took it for granted that I was -to be a party to the conference, and as each brother -believed that I was secretly friendly to him, neither -suggested that I should retire.</p> - -<p>As soon as we were seated round the table, on -which I had laid out some paper, pens, and ink, -Prince Victor formally opened the discussion.</p> - -<p>He spoke with a good deal of dignity and some -eloquence. He treated it as a matter beyond dispute -that he was the sole depository of the authority -of the great Napoleon, entitled to the absolute -obedience of every member of his House. He disclaimed -any personal ambition, and referred to his -former pledge, which he described as a promise to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> -abdicate if he were convinced that such a step on -his part was really likely to result in the restoration -of the empire.</p> - -<p>He then laid it down that he retained the sole -right to decide if and when the time for this step -had arrived, and hinted that it was his duty, as well -as his right, to interfere actively to check any designs -of which he disapproved. He concluded by professing -a sincere and hearty interest in his brother’s -fortunes, and inviting Prince Louis to confide in him -fully, as in his best friend.</p> - -<p>This statesmanlike deliverance appeared to inspire -the younger Prince with genuine respect. He -appeared to be a good deal embarrassed in the -beginning of his reply. It was a difficult task to -tell his elder brother that he had been rejected in -favour of Louis himself.</p> - -<p>After acknowledging in the most ample manner -his brother’s claims on his obedience and gratitude, -Prince Louis proceeded—</p> - -<p>‘The state of France shows clearly that our House -has no chance of success by constitutional means. -The Republic can only be subverted by the action -of the Army, which embodies the spirit of the nation -more truly than the collection of provincial advocates -and financiers which calls itself the Chamber of -Deputies. The Army will be guided by its chiefs, -and, therefore, it is the Staff which holds our fate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> -in its hands. The generals very naturally feel a -preference for a soldier. It is now nearly six months -since I was first approached in the greatest secrecy -by General Garnier.’</p> - -<p>I had the utmost difficulty in not betraying my -emotion at the sound of this name, so inseparably -connected with the Dreyfus Case.</p> - -<p>‘Garnier conveyed to me that he and his brother -generals had decided that the time was ripe for a -revolution, in which they anticipated receiving the -support of the Church and the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">noblesse</i>. He said -they were determined to avoid a second catastrophe -like that of the mountebank Boulanger, and therefore -they meant to abolish the Republic by a -military pronunciamento, and declare France a -monarchy under their protection. And, in short, -he offered me the crown in the name of the French -Army.’</p> - -<p>‘You reminded him of my existence, perhaps?’ -put in the elder brother with some bitterness.</p> - -<p>‘I refused to entertain the offer until it had been -made to, and refused by, you,’ Louis protested -earnestly. ‘Garnier replied that in no event would -his brother generals agree to your nomination, and -that, if I declined, the offer would be made to the -Duke of Orleans, who commanded the support of -the clerical faction. It was a question of Bonaparte -or Bourbon, and I relied on our compact that in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> -such a case you would relinquish your rights in my -favour.’</p> - -<p>Prince Victor turned to me as though he wished -me to express his sentiments. I accepted the task.</p> - -<p>‘It would have been better if you had taken Prince -Napoleon into your confidence before giving any -definite answer,’ I said. ‘General Garnier might -have paid your elder brother the compliment of -explaining the reasons for setting him aside.’</p> - -<p>‘I did not consider the project sufficiently mature -at that time,’ was the answer. ‘I thought it better -to wait till the affair assumed a tangible shape.’</p> - -<p>‘And this stage has now been reached?’ I -inquired.</p> - -<p>‘It has. My brother will understand that a pretext -was necessary for the action of the Army, and -that pretext could only be the danger of war. For a -long time we were troubled with the difficulty that -neither in Germany nor in England was there any -disposition to attack France, and our treaty with -Russia laid it down in the most explicit manner that -the Tsar would only come to our assistance in the -event of our being attacked.</p> - -<p>‘But at last, thanks to the vigilance of Garnier and -the other chiefs of the Staff, it has been discovered -that Germany is secretly preparing for a stealthy -spring; she is covering France with her spies, and, -but for the timely arrest of this Dreyfus——’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span></p> - -<p>I could not resist a subdued exclamation of -triumph as the utterance of this name completed -the chain of discovery. The whole intrigue engineered -by the artful and unscrupulous French -generals lay displayed to my eye, as on a map. I -listened like one in a dream as Prince Louis continued -explaining to his brother the peril of the -French nation, the justification for the Army’s taking -command of the State, and the consequent certainty -of a Bonaparte restoration.</p> - -<p>Victor listened silently, unable to think of any -objection, and seeing his own chance of ever reigning -as Emperor of the French slipping from him. It -was I who put the decisive question.</p> - -<p>‘You have, I suppose, taken the Tsar into your -confidence, and convinced him of the reality of the -danger?’</p> - -<p>‘We have obtained the promise of his support,’ -Louis answered.</p> - -<p>‘Good. In that case you will not refuse your -brother the reasonable proofs which it is his right -to demand, that you have not been deceived.’</p> - -<p>‘What proofs do you expect?’</p> - -<p>‘I respectfully advise Prince Napoleon to request -an interview with the Tsar.’</p> - -<p>This advice was received with very different feelings -by the two brothers. Prince Louis cast on me -a look of surprise and annoyance; his elder brother’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> -eyes glistened with pleasure at a suggestion whose -value was at once apparent to him.</p> - -<p>‘You cannot object to my following my secretary’s -advice’, said Prince Victor, after a moment’s pause. -‘The interests of my House are at stake; and before -I resign the prospect of a throne I have a right to be -thoroughly satisfied. The Tsar is your friend, and, -therefore, you should be pleased to accept his -mediation.’</p> - -<p>Prince Louis yielded, not very graciously, to these -representations, and undertook to arrange the conference. -He then withdrew, leaving us to discuss -the situation.</p> - -<p>It is unnecessary for me to relate what passed -between Prince Napoleon and myself. I succeeded -in fixing him in the opinion that he had been -treated ungenerously, and that he owed it to -himself to thwart a dishonest and doubtful conspiracy, -calculated to bring the name of Bonaparte -into odium.</p> - -<p>The following day, about the same hour, we were -received by the titular autocrat of All the Russias.</p> - -<p>The only persons present, besides the two brothers, -were myself and the celebrated Pobiedonostzeff, who -up till quite recently has exercised a mastery over -the mind of his nominal sovereign that has been compared -to that of Richelieu over the feeble Louis XIII.</p> - -<p>It was at once evident that the decision of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> -Nicholas II. would be largely determined by the -advice which he received from his spiritual and -political mentor. In effect, the conference resolved -itself into a duel between the formidable Russian -statesman and myself; he, animated by a hatred -of freedom, which led him to sympathise with the -design against the Republic; I, influenced by a -sense of justice, and a desire to do my duty by -the German Emperor.</p> - -<p>Having briefly acknowledged the favour of the -Tsar in receiving him, Prince Napoleon left the -statement of his case in my hands.</p> - -<p>I began by briefly referring to the understanding -between the two brothers, and the present situation -of affairs.</p> - -<p>‘What Prince Napoleon desires,’ I went on, -addressing myself to Pobiedonostzeff, ‘is to understand -whether he is being asked to abdicate on -sufficient grounds. Is he dealing with a mere -hole-and-corner conspiracy, which may end in a -fiasco; or is it true that his Imperial Majesty the -Emperor of Russia is committed to the approval -and support of his brother’s enterprise?’</p> - -<p>The Tsar glanced from my face to that of his -Minister, as I concluded, with an expression which -convinced me that his Majesty knew very little -about the affair, in which he had no doubt blindly -accepted the guidance of Pobiedonostzeff.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span></p> - -<p>The Procurator of the Holy Synod had evidently -come prepared with an ambiguous reply.</p> - -<p>‘His Majesty is a friend of France, and, as such, -he naturally views with concern the weakness of -the Republic, a weakness inseparable from Governments -which rest on the authority of the mob. -The Emperor is at the same time a friend of the -House of Bonaparte, though, of course, he has no -wish to interfere in favour of any particular candidate -for the French throne rather than another.</p> - -<p>‘He is pledged by treaty to come to the assistance -of France in the case of an unprovoked attack by -the Three Powers, or by the English. It follows -that where the danger of such an attack exists, -his Majesty is ready to encourage any prudent -measure in the interests of France, such as this -appears to be.’</p> - -<p>Prince Louis smiled, well pleased at this skilful -answer. His brother gave me an expectant glance.</p> - -<p>‘Am I to understand, then—or, rather, is Prince -Napoleon to understand—that it is the threatening -attitude of Germany which has weighed with his -Imperial Majesty?’</p> - -<p>‘You may say the treacherous intrigues of Germany. -The Germans have been careful to avoid any open -provocation.’</p> - -<p>‘His Majesty has received satisfactory proofs, no -doubt, that such intrigues exist?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span></p> - -<p>‘Undoubtedly. General Garnier, on behalf of -the Staff of the French Army, has laid before the -Emperor’s advisers documents which prove up to -the hilt that Germany is merely waiting for the -psychological moment to spring upon France, disarm -her, and erase her from the list of the Great -Powers.’</p> - -<p>‘Would it not have been more in accordance with -precedent if these documents had been submitted -to you by the President of the French Republic -through the medium of the French Ambassador?’</p> - -<p>I was glad to notice the Tsar turn a questioning -look on his Minister as I delivered this thrust, for -which Pobiedonostzeff was evidently not prepared.</p> - -<p>‘I do not understand your objection,’ he said, in -some surprise. ‘Prince Napoleon is surely not interested -on behalf of the Republican Government.’</p> - -<p>‘The interest of Prince Napoleon is to know the -truth,’ I responded sternly. ‘Conspirators are not -always scrupulous about the means they employ. -General Garnier is not a man who can be pronounced -incapable of manufacturing evidence in favour of his -schemes.’</p> - -<p>The Procurator’s face flushed.</p> - -<p>‘You venture to insinuate that General Garnier -is a forger!’ he cried wrathfully.</p> - -<p>‘Listen, M. Pobiedonostzeff. In the time of the -late Tsar I was employed by the Russian Government,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> -before it concluded the treaty of alliance with -France, to obtain secret and precise information -concerning the military strength of that country. -I have never revealed the name of the officer from -whom I purchased that information. Shall I do -so now?’</p> - -<p>The Russian Minister gazed at me in consternation, -and his master appeared equally surprised. Glancing -at a slip of paper which lay before him, Pobiedonostzeff -asked—</p> - -<p>‘Who are you, then? Your name cannot be -Rémillard.’</p> - -<p>‘It is V——,’ I answered.</p> - -<p>The Procurator threw himself back in his seat, -astonished.</p> - -<p>‘Your police have not shown their usual astuteness, -I am afraid,’ I observed, smiling.</p> - -<p>The Tsar now interposed in a tone of more -authority than I had ventured to hope from his -not very strong face.</p> - -<p>‘Do you suggest, M. V——, that the whole Staff -of the French Army are engaged in a conspiracy -to forge documents?’</p> - -<p>‘Something of the kind, I am afraid, sire.’</p> - -<p>‘But this notorious case, which has excited the -attention of the whole of Europe—the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Affaire -Dreyfus</i>?’</p> - -<p>‘I am in a position to assure your Majesty that -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>Captain Dreyfus had no more to do with Germany -than M. Pobiedonostzeff here.’</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_088" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_088.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="captionx"><p>“The Tsar now interposed in a tone of more authority than I had ventured to hope for. ‘Do you suggest, -M. V——, that the whole staff of the French army are engaged in a conspiracy to forge documents?’”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>The Procurator of the Holy Synod raised his head.</p> - -<p>‘You are very confident, it seems to me, M. V——,’ -he sneered. ‘May I ask if you have been retained -by the party which is seeking to reopen the case -of Dreyfus?’</p> - -<p>‘No, <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">M. le Procureur</span>, my knowledge has been -acquired from an opposite quarter.’</p> - -<p>‘From General Garnier himself, perhaps?’</p> - -<p>‘No, <em>not this time</em>,’ I retorted, with biting significance. -‘My information was derived from his -Imperial Majesty, Wilhelm II.’</p> - -<p>Never shall I forget the changes which passed -rapidly across the faces of three of my listeners as -I made this statement. Prince Victor Napoleon -alone received unmoved an announcement for which -he was already prepared.</p> - -<p>‘It is not a month,’ I added calmly, ‘since the -German Emperor charged me with a commission to -find out two things: the reason for the theatrical -publicity given to the trial of an obscure captain in -the French Army, and the object of the persistent -attempt to represent him as a spy of Germany.’ I -paused for a moment and turned to Nicholas II. -before concluding. ‘That commission I have now -accomplished. I am now in a position to inform -the German Emperor that the purpose of this shameful<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> -comedy is to impose on the French people the -belief that they are in danger of an invasion, from -which they can only be delivered by a Bonaparte -restoration under the patronage of your Majesty.’</p> - -<p>The face of the young Tsar went red and white -by turn.</p> - -<p>‘I swear by Saint Nicholas that they shall eat -their forgeries!’ he said.</p> - -<p>And I have reason to know that it was the pressing -and peremptory request of the Russian Emperor that -at last secured the second trial, and the final pardon -and release of the unhappy sufferer.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="IV">IV<br /> - -<span class="fs80">WHAT WAS BEHIND THE TSAR’S PEACE RESCRIPT</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">Perhaps the most sensational event in recent history -was the publication by the young and newly crowned -Tsar of All the Russias of a rescript calling upon the -great military Powers of the world to disband their -armies and dismantle their fleets, and inaugurate an -era of universal peace.</p> - -<p>This extraordinary invitation produced a flutter in -all the diplomatic dovecotes, for European statesmen -have learned by this time that Russia does nothing -in vain. Everywhere the same question was asked: -‘What is behind this rescript?’</p> - -<p>It is scarcely necessary to add that, with the -exception of a few sentimental fanatics in England -and the United States, no one was inclined to put -faith in a demonstration which was actually the prelude -to a raid on the ancient liberties of Finland, -in order to swell the armies of the Imperial peacemaker, -and to a combined attack by all the great -Christian Powers upon the only unarmed Empire in -the world.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span></p> - -<p>Nobody was deceived, but every one was disconcerted -for the moment, and I was disconcerted like -the rest. I was more. I was irresistibly drawn on -to attempt the solution of a mystery which fascinated -me like a difficult chess problem set before an expert -in the game.</p> - -<p>I could not afford, of course, to set about such an -investigation merely for my own amusement. After -waiting a decent time on the chance that I might -be sent for by one of the Governments most -interested in unravelling the schemes of the great -Eurasian Power, I took the unusual step of going unasked -to proffer my assistance to the Ambassador of -a Power to which I have rendered important services.</p> - -<p>To my surprise and chagrin I found myself repelled -on the threshold, the Ambassador in question, -a diplomatist of great experience, declaring that -there was nothing to discover.</p> - -<p>‘I share your disbelief in the peaceful intentions -of the Russian Council of State,’ his Excellency was -good enough to say to me. ‘But this is a matter -with which they have really had nothing to do. -This rescript is the outcome of the Tsar’s own individuality. -He is a philanthropic young man, -carried away by the enthusiasm natural to his age, -and his advisers have had to give way to him. That -is all; and it only remains to see whether his idea is -practicable.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span></p> - -<p>The explanation was a plausible one, and all the -more so because by this time the character of the -new ruler of Russia was fairly well known to those -whose business it is to reckon up the personalities of -sovereigns and statesmen. Still I was not convinced.</p> - -<p>‘That is exactly the explanation which I should -offer to the Foreign Offices of Europe, if I were -M. Witte,’ I ventured to observe.</p> - -<p>The Ambassador smiled with good humour.</p> - -<p>‘The explanation does not rest on the word of -M. Witte, I assure you,’ he answered. ‘Every one -who knows anything about Nicholas II. knows that -he is a simple-minded, honest young man, quite -incapable of playing a part in a comedy. As a -matter of fact there is nothing in this rescript -which he has not been saying in private conversation -with his family and friends any time this last -two or three years. The German Emperor heard -all about it long ago. Now at last he has put his -views formally before the world in a state paper. -These proposals may not be practicable, but there -can be no doubt that they are perfectly sincere.’</p> - -<p>‘I do not doubt the Tsar’s sincerity,’ I returned. -‘But knowing what I know of Russia, I want to -understand why the Council of State have allowed -the Tsar to have his own way.’</p> - -<p>This time the Ambassador’s smile was less indulgent.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span></p> - -<p>‘Really, M. V——, I think you are pushing your -suspicions too far. Your profession has biassed -your mind, and caused you to see mystery where it -does not exist. You remind me of those politicians -whom Bismarck used to say that he could always -deceive by being perfectly frank.’</p> - -<p>I smiled in my turn, a little grimly, as I responded—</p> - -<p>‘It appears to me, your Excellency, that the counsellors -of the Tsar have just taken a leaf out of -Bismarck’s book.’</p> - -<p>Baffled in this direction, I was casting about me -for another client, when my secretary came in to -me one morning with a despatch marked urgent, -calling me to proceed immediately to Constantinople, -where my services were required by Muzaffir Effendi, -the eunuch highest in the confidence of Abdul -Hamid.</p> - -<p>I snatched at the opening with the assurance of -triumph. Of all states Turkey was the one most -deeply concerned in the foreign policy of Russia. -Of all possible clients the most desirable was the -ruler whose secret hoards had dazzled the imagination -of every secret service agent in the world for a -quarter of a century.</p> - -<p>What the business might be on which Muzaffir -wanted me I neither knew nor greatly cared. I -took my seat in the train that was to bear me<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> -towards the Balkan Peninsula, firmly resolved that -his business should give way to mine.</p> - -<p>On my way across Central Europe I found the -papers already full of the touching story of the -benevolent young despot and his triumph over the -worldly wisdom of his counsellors. I could not -blame the journalists for being taken in by a story -which had imposed on one of the most hard-headed -diplomatists in Paris; I could only marvel at the -astuteness and daring of the Muscovite statesmen -who had contrived to turn the personal idiosyncrasies -of their sovereign to use in their Machiavellian -politics.</p> - -<p>On reaching the shores of the Bosphorus I found, -as I had anticipated, that I was wanted to disentangle -a miserable intrigue of the harem, the kind -of work more suited to a private detective than to -a man in my unique position. Under any other -circumstances I should have declined the task without -more ado; as it was, I turned Muzaffir’s difficulty -into my opportunity.</p> - -<p>‘Listen to me,’ I said to the trembling eunuch, as -soon as he had finished confiding his tale to me, ‘I -can save you, and I will save you, but only on one -condition. And that is, that you procure me a private -and confidential audience of the Sultan, and that -you use your influence with him to make him grant -the request I have to make.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span></p> - -<p>Muzaffir, who, like all his tribe, was a miser, -seemed overjoyed at this cheap method of rewarding -me. Of course, he wished to know the object I had -in view.</p> - -<p>‘I am going to ask the Sultan to employ me on a -secret political mission outside the Turkish Empire, -a mission from which you have nothing to fear. -Your business is to persuade the Sultan to trust me—let -that be enough.’</p> - -<p>Twist and wriggle as he would, the eunuch found -he could get nothing more out of me. He gave in, -and his influence over the mind of Abdul Hamid -being unbounded, I quickly found myself face to -face with the lean, dark, gaunt-eyed Asiatic who -styles himself Commander of the Faithful and -Shadow of God on earth.</p> - -<p>Abdul Hamid proved to be in a more suspicious -mood than my friend in Paris. As soon as I mentioned -the Peace Rescript he interrupted me.</p> - -<p>‘I am not going to disarm. I know what the -Christian Powers are by this time. They always -begin to talk about peace when they are secretly -preparing to attack somebody.’</p> - -<p>‘I am afraid your Majesty is right. The question -is, what is the real design underlying this particular -piece of hypocrisy?’</p> - -<p>‘I know that, too,’ was the unexpected reply. ‘The -Russians have decided to turn their attention to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> -China. There they can do all that they want with a -hundred thousand men. So it is to their interest to -get rid of the burden of a great army which will not -be wanted for a generation.’</p> - -<p>This was an ingenious idea, but it did not satisfy -me, any more than the semi-official one had done. I -ventured to object—</p> - -<p>‘If that were all, sire, there would be no occasion -for this melodramatic appeal to the other Powers. -There is nothing to hinder Russia from reducing her -armaments by one-half to-morrow. No one dreams -of attacking her. Her army is kept up for offence, -not for defence. She is the one Power that could -afford to set the example of disbanding, and such an -example would carry more weight than any number -of professions on paper, however well meant.’</p> - -<p>The Sultan appeared struck by this reasoning.</p> - -<p>‘Then what do you say is the object behind this -rescript?’ he demanded.</p> - -<p>‘I do not know. But I undertake to find out -if your Majesty will furnish me with the necessary -means.’</p> - -<p>Abdul Hamid gave me a distrustful glance.</p> - -<p>‘It is an expensive thing to buy information from -the Council of State,’ he grumbled.</p> - -<p>‘You are right, sire. And the higher one goes, -the more expensive it becomes. It is clear that this -move has been engineered by persons who are able to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> -manage the Tsar himself, and such persons are not -likely to sell their own game for much less than a -million roubles.’</p> - -<p>Abdul Hamid quivered at the mention of this sum -as though I had demanded one of the eyes out of his -head.</p> - -<p>‘Why should I go to this expense?’ he objected. -‘I have already told you that I am not going to -disarm.’</p> - -<p>‘The question is whether you are willing to see -Germany and Austria disarm, leaving you to face -Russia single-handed. Surely it is worth a hundred -thousand pounds to Turkey to prevent her allies -from falling into such a trap.’</p> - -<p>The Sultan still hesitated.</p> - -<p>‘How do I know that I shall get anything in -return, if I trust you with this money?’ he asked -suspiciously.</p> - -<p>‘Your Majesty must judge me by what I have -done already. Two days ago you had never heard -my name. Now I am here alone with you, with a -loaded revolver in my pocket’—the Sultan started -violently—‘discussing the secrets of your foreign -policy. Does that look as though I were a fool?’</p> - -<p>The Commander of the Faithful sat silent, attentively -regarding me for some minutes. Finally he -dismissed me, promising to consider my proposal.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_098" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_098.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="captionx"><p>“‘Your Majesty must judge me by what I have done already. Two days you had -never heard my name. Now I am here, alone with you, with a loaded revolver in -my pocket.’ The Sultan started violently.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>I withdrew, confident that Abdul would consult -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>his all-powerful favourite, and that Muzaffir would -see that I got my way.</p> - -<p>A week later I was back in Paris, with an autograph -letter from the Sultan to his Ambassador in -Russia, and a draft on the Ottoman Bank which I -took the precaution to exchange for a letter of credit -from a private Parisian banking firm to the Ephrussis -of Petersburg.</p> - -<p>My intention was to go to Russia in the character -of a French financial agent, the representative of a -syndicate of Paris bankers, on the look-out for profitable -concessions from the Government of the Tsar. -In this way I hoped to be able to approach influential -persons without exciting suspicion, and to ascertain -their corruptibility before exposing my secret object.</p> - -<p>In order to play this part it was not necessary for -me to indulge in any actual deceit. As a matter of -fact the demand for foreign capital to develop Russian -properties is a steadily increasing one, and I had -no difficulty in meeting with financiers willing to constitute -me their agent, to inquire into the character -of some of the undertakings submitted to them.</p> - -<p>The only person I proposed to take into my confidence -was the Turkish Ambassador in Petersburg, -on whom I relied for information as to the personal -influences at work in the Russian Court.</p> - -<p>It was to the Ambassador, therefore, that I paid -my first visit on arriving in the northern capital.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> -His Excellency received me at first with some reserve, -which was quickly dissipated by a perusal of the -Sultan’s missive.</p> - -<p>‘You have come to learn the truth about this -rescript,’ he remarked. ‘It is certainly a new departure. -You disbelieve in the sincerity of the Tsar, -I suppose?’</p> - -<p>‘Not in the sincerity of the Tsar, but in the sincerity -of those who make his benevolent sentiments -the cloak of their own secret policy,’ I corrected.</p> - -<p>The Ambassador nodded approvingly.</p> - -<p>‘You have put your finger on the weak spot,’ he -responded. ‘The danger in dealing with this rescript -is that the other Powers may take it seriously owing -to their trust in the personal character of Nicholas. -In reality Nicholas is merely an instrument in the -hands of three persons, without whose advice he does -nothing, and two of those three are themselves -creatures of the Council of State.’</p> - -<p>‘And the three persons are?’</p> - -<p>‘They are his mother, the Dowager Empress Dagmar; -Pobiedonostzeff, the Procurator of the Holy -Synod; and the Grand Duke ——, the Tsar’s constant -companion and bosom friend.’</p> - -<p>At the sound of such names as these I was almost -appalled at the outset. The character of the Dowager -Empress, as much as her rank, rendered her unapproachable. -M. Pobiedonostzeff, although a bigot,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> -was not likely to be a traitor. The Grand Duke was -an unknown quantity, as far as I was concerned, but -it did not seem very probable that a personage in his -position would prove accessible to a bribe.</p> - -<p>It never does to despair too soon. I put the question -which long experience of the dark side of human -nature has rendered habitual with me—</p> - -<p>‘Has the Grand Duke any vices?’</p> - -<p>‘He gambles a good deal in the Yacht Club.’</p> - -<p>I drew a breath of satisfaction. Of all men the -gambler is the easiest to corrupt, because to him -alone money is everything, and because there comes -a time to every gambler when money is not to be -had.</p> - -<p>‘Who are his gambling companions?’ was my next -question.</p> - -<p>The Ambassador named several Russian nobles of -high rank, among whom the leading spirit seemed -to be a Prince Boris Mendelieff. I was going on -with my inquiries when his Excellency checked -me.</p> - -<p>‘I have told you enough, it seems to me, to enable -you to go on by yourself. In the meantime I am the -Ambassador of the Sultan, not his secret service -agent, and I wish to know nothing that might compromise -me.’</p> - -<p>I respected his scruples, though they were such -as some Russian diplomatists would scarcely have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> -understood, and proceeded to form my own plans for -making the acquaintance of Prince Mendelieff.</p> - -<p>Fortunately the Russians are as unsuspicious in -private life as they are suspicious in politics. My -skill as a bridge-player, a game in which I have no -living superior, proved a ready passport into the -gaming circles of Petersburg, and it was not long -before I found myself sitting at the same card-table -with the intimate of the Grand Duke.</p> - -<p>I was lucky enough to lose a considerable sum to -him, which I paid with a good grace, and he could -not do less than invite me to his house. I accepted -the invitation with an eagerness which must have -struck him as rather ill-bred, and we drove there -together. Over a bottle of champagne I became -confidential. I avowed myself to be a money-lender, -as well as a concession-hunter, and hinted that I -should be prepared to pay handsomely for introductions -to clients of high station.</p> - -<p>Mendelieff took the bait like a hungry pike. He -was the first to mention the name of the Grand -Duke, doubtless knowing that his Imperial Highness -would be only too pleased to meet such an -accommodating person as I appeared to be. A -bargain was struck, and Mendelieff promised to let -me know as soon as he had arranged for my reception -by his august patron.</p> - -<p>The meeting took place in the Prince’s own house.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> -Cards were produced, the stakes were exceedingly -high, and rather against my wish I won steadily, -while the losses of the Grand Duke were severe -enough to disturb his good humour. Mendelieff -artfully seized the right moment to present me as a -friend in need, and to take off the rest of the party, -leaving us together.</p> - -<p>The Grand Duke lost no time in putting me to -the proof.</p> - -<p>‘You are a banker, are you not, M. de Sarthe?’—De -Sarthe was the name under which I had -crossed the frontier.</p> - -<p>‘At least, I represent some important financial -houses,’ I replied.</p> - -<p>‘Oh, spare me that kind of thing,’ his Imperial -Highness returned impatiently, ‘let us take the usual -comedy for granted, and tell me frankly how much -you are prepared to lend me.’</p> - -<p>‘I do not know how much you want, sir, but -I have any sum up to a million roubles at your -service.’</p> - -<p>The Grand Duke’s eyes sparkled.</p> - -<p>‘M. de Sarthe, you are a friend indeed!’ he -exclaimed. ‘But what are your terms for this -advance?’</p> - -<p>‘As far as your pocket is concerned, nothing. I -do not even ask that this loan shall ever be repaid.’</p> - -<p>He stared at me for a moment in astonishment.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> -Then all at once his expression changed, and his -voice dropped to a whisper.</p> - -<p>‘Ah! I understand. This is some affair of the -secret service. You are offering me a bribe, I -suppose.’</p> - -<p>‘I do not come from the Third Section, if that -is what your Highness means. I am, as I have -said, a financier, and my only object is to make -money.’</p> - -<p>‘I see. You wish me to influence the Government -on your behalf?’</p> - -<p>‘Not exactly that, sir. I am in search of information—information -which will enable me to operate -successfully on the Paris Bourse.’</p> - -<p>The Grand Duke looked rather relieved. It -was evident that he did not consider this very -serious.</p> - -<p>‘And what is the information you want?’ he asked.</p> - -<p>‘It is very simple. I want to know the real bearing -of the recent Peace Rescript of the Tsar. Let -me explain,’ I went on quickly, raising my hand as -I saw he was about to speak. ‘I know the surface -explanation of the matter, but I do not believe it. -I do not believe that this rescript would ever have -seen the light unless the Council of State had some -purpose of their own to serve by it, and I want to -know what that purpose is. It is not to lessen the -burden of their own armaments; they could do that,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> -if they chose, to-morrow. This is an appeal to the -other Powers to disarm, and I want to know why it -has been made.’</p> - -<p>The Grand Duke listened to this speech in silence, -biting his lips with an air of indecision from which I -augured a good result.</p> - -<p>‘You seem to know a good deal, M. de Sarthe,’ -he said sullenly. ‘Surely you must know that I am -not in the secrets of our Foreign Office.’</p> - -<p>‘I believe that, of course, if you say so, sir. But -I believe as well that the Tsar did not draw up this -document without your encouragement, and that in -encouraging the Tsar, you acted as the instrument -of the Council of State. I am entitled to suppose -that you were not a blind instrument, but that -you knew pretty well why the Council were so -ready to fall in with the enthusiastic impulses of -Nicholas II.’</p> - -<p>It was a bold thrust, but it went home. The -Grand Duke gave me a startled look, and relapsed -into a long spell of silent pondering. Finally he -said—</p> - -<p>‘And supposing I were to tell you something that -you considered it worth a million roubles to hear, -what guarantee have I that you would not betray -my secret? What proof have I even now that you -are not a spy set on by my enemies in the Council -of State?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span></p> - -<p>‘I will give your Highness that proof on condition -that, if it is satisfactory, you will accept my -proposal.’</p> - -<p>‘I consent.’</p> - -<p>‘Then all I need do is to invite you to make your -communication, not to me but to the Ambassador -of the Sublime Porte, whom you will hardly -suspect of being in the confidence of M. Pobiedonostzeff.’</p> - -<p>With these words I rose to my feet. Stupefied for -a moment, the Grand Duke recovered himself in -time to make a detaining gesture.</p> - -<p>‘Do not go, monsieur. What you have said completely -satisfies me. It appears that I am required -to betray my country.’</p> - -<p>‘That depends,’ I returned smoothly. ‘If the -Council of State is plotting to betray the Tsar, as I -understand it is, I should have thought it consistent -with the honour of a Russian prince of the blood to -take part in defeating their unworthy schemes.’</p> - -<p>This was evidently a new view to his Imperial -Highness, and I could see by the expression of his -face that it was telling powerfully.</p> - -<p>‘Well,’ he said at length, ‘it seems to me that you -have my word. When do you propose to pay me -this money?’</p> - -<p>‘Now, this moment, if your Highness pleases.’</p> - -<p>‘Count it out, then,’ was the brief injunction.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp59" id="i_106" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_106.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="captionx"><p>“It was a singular scene, as I stood there laying down pile after -pile of greasy ten-thousand-rouble notes on a richly inlaid -table.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span></p> - -<p>I obeyed. It was a singular scene as I stood -there laying down pile after pile of greasy ten -thousand rouble notes on a richly inlaid table, while -one of the highest personages in the proudest -Court of Europe or Asia stood beside me, his tall -figure glistening with gold ornaments and jewelled -decorations, and his dark Slavonian features flushed -with excitement and greed. As the last note left -my fingers, he bent down and breathed in my ear—</p> - -<p>‘<em>Take the Siberian railway, and use your eyes.</em>’</p> - -<p>I am ready to admit that my first feeling, after -hearing those few words which had cost me a hundred -thousand roubles each, was one of sickening -disappointment. But a very little consideration -served to show me that the Grand Duke had told -me enough to place success within my reach, and -that the information which he thus put it in my -power to acquire by my own observation was -calculated to be of greater value than any mere -statement made at second-hand.</p> - -<p>Somewhere along the vast, just completed track -which connects the Baltic with the Pacific lay the -key to the true purpose of that famous rescript which -had imposed on all the statesmen of the world, and -only vigilance and circumspection were required -to find it.</p> - -<p>Never was there a journey more fraught with -peril than that which I now undertook. I had to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> -disappear from civilisation for an unknown length -of time, and plunge into a region shrouded in -mysterious dread, the land of prison and exile; the -gloomy realm which forms the background to the -showy life of the capital beside the Neva, like a dark -subterranean dungeon hidden beneath a glittering -palace.</p> - -<p>From Siberia few enemies of the Russian Government -ever return. My safety depended on my -keeping up the character of a financial agent, on the -look-out for sources of wealth requiring French -capital for their development. In that character I -was sure of a cordial reception, and it served as a -convenient cloak for some curiosity about the country -I was passing through.</p> - -<p>Not daring to intrust my secret to a companion, -I was obliged to go without sleep from the moment -of leaving the Ural mountains behind. The utmost -indulgence I could allow myself was such a light -doze as left the attention ready to leap into activity -at the least provocation. At every stopping place -I got out and made a careful examination of the -neighbourhood. The one thing I had to fear was -the night. In the Cimmerian darkness of a northern -winter I might have been carried past an army -without perceiving it.</p> - -<p>The train by which I travelled was a long one, -and it was increased before we entered Asia by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> -addition of an open car like a cattle-truck, containing -peasants whom I took to be prisoners. I had to -be careful not to show myself too inquisitive, but I -noticed at the various stations along the track that -they were all young men of about the same age, -and that they got in and out in obedience to orders -given by officials who were armed, and whom I -imagined to be warders or police.</p> - -<p>I did not consider it safe to hold much conversation -with my fellow passengers. It was probable -that more than one spy was among them. I had -an uneasy sensation of being watched by invisible -eyes, and I knew that if I once aroused real suspicion -by my behaviour, my doom was sealed.</p> - -<p>So the days and nights passed, and the train crept -on its way across the silence of the frozen continent. -I strained my eyes in vain across the blinding waste, -and strained my ears through the night. No sight -or sound rewarded me, save the solitary huts of the -railway-men and the monotonous tinkle of sleigh-bells.</p> - -<p>According to my reckoning we had got nearly -half way from the Ural to the Amur when the -longest stage of all was reached. We ran from the -sunset of one day to nearly noon of the next, only -halting to take in water and fuel. Then at last the -train entered a town of considerable importance, -apparently a sort of depôt of the line, there being<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> -many side-rails on which trucks were standing as -though waiting till they should be required.</p> - -<p>As soon as the train stopped, I got out as usual -with the other passengers, to stretch my legs and -look about me. The long journey and the lack of -proper rest had so exhausted me that it was some -time before I realised that there was an unusual -lack of bustle about this particular halt.</p> - -<p>When at last the fact of this strange stillness was -borne in upon my consciousness, I roused myself -to observation. At once I perceived that the alighting -passengers were fewer in number than before. -It was the troop I had mistaken for prisoners who -were missing. I looked at the end of the train for -their car. It was no longer there.</p> - -<p>We had silently slipped the wagon in the course -of the night!</p> - -<p>This discovery acted on my tired brain like magic. -In an instant I was again the alert, cautious investigator -whose decisions were as swift as his -intuitions were unerring. Without hesitating I -returned to my carriage, removed my luggage with -the aid of a porter, and ordered a sleigh to drive -me to the hotel.</p> - -<p>The guard of the train came up to me, as I was -making these preparations, and asked me if I were -not going on.</p> - -<p>‘Not by your train,’ I replied blandly. ‘I shall<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> -break my journey here, and look about me. By -what I can see this place seems likely to be an -important commercial centre, such as I have come -in search of.’</p> - -<p>‘Your Excellency is mistaken,’ the man answered -roughly. ‘This place is nothing at all—only a -dumping place for spare wagons. To-morrow we -shall come to a really important town, where much -business is done.’</p> - -<p>I gave the fellow my most supercilious stare. -Then, pulling out a note for fifty roubles, I handed -it to him, saying haughtily—</p> - -<p>‘I am obliged to you for your trouble. Good day.’</p> - -<p>He drew back astonished and abashed, and I -made my way out of the station, without once -turning to see if I were followed.</p> - -<p>Directly I reached the hotel I threw myself on -a bed, and slept soundly for twenty-four hours.</p> - -<p>I awoke refreshed and vigorous, and ready to -carry out my task with coolness and resolution. -Knowing myself to be in a land where every second -man was a spy, I thought it idle to attempt any -concealment of my actions. I was there as an -explorer, and I determined to explore boldly. If -the agents of the Government took it on themselves -to stop me, I knew well enough how to deal with -them.</p> - -<p>My first step was to ask the landlord of the hotel<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> -to recommend me a guide. The man whom he -presented to me was a typical <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mouchard</i>, with ‘spy’ -written on every line of his countenance. This was -just what I expected. I engaged him at a liberal -salary, and ordered him to fit out an expedition for -a journey of some days into the interior.</p> - -<p>‘Where do you want to go?’ the man asked.</p> - -<p>‘Where I please,’ I replied sharply. ‘Keep your -curiosity to yourself, or take another master. I want -a guide, not a partner.’</p> - -<p>This rebuke had the desired effect. The police -agent, for such of course he was, was obliged to -come with me on my own terms. Doubtless he -reported me to his bureau as a headstrong man -who could not be controlled by any means save -open force.</p> - -<p>At the same time I lost no opportunity of impressing -the authorities with my assumed character. -The Prefect of the town called on me, and I explained -to him that Siberia was regarded in Paris as one -of the richest mineral regions of the earth, and that -I was merely the pioneer of a swarm of prospectors -who would be invading it before long. I made his -mouth water as I talked of shares and syndicates, -and conveyed to him that by a judicious use of -his opportunities he might become one of the -millionaires of the future.</p> - -<p>To the westward of the town, in the direction<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> -from which the train had brought me, there was -visible a range of low hills, a conspicuous landmark -in the desolate plain. It was towards these hills -that I ordered my guide to conduct me, as soon as -the preparations for the march were completed.</p> - -<p>The rascal was cunning enough to hide his reluctance, -and we set out. But after we had gone a -day’s journey I noticed that our march was steadily -veering away from the line of the railway, and -taking a northerly direction. I said nothing, determined -to counteract these tactics at the right -moment. At the end of the third day, after a slow -progress compared with the speed of the train, we -pitched our camp at the foot of the range, about -forty miles, as near as I could judge, from the point -where it was pierced by the railway.</p> - -<p>The next morning the caravan wound its way -to the summit of the ridge, and I looked down on -a broad valley, watered by a river, and broken up -by small spurs jutting out from the main watershed. -As the guide was about to plunge down, so as to -cross the stream, I checked him abruptly.</p> - -<p>‘We are not going that way. I shall turn southward -now, and keep along the summit of the ridge -till we come to the railway.’</p> - -<p>The man’s face turned as black as a thunder-cloud.</p> - -<p>‘You cannot go that way,’ he snorted.</p> - -<p>‘Why?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span></p> - -<p>He hesitated.</p> - -<p>‘Because it is impassable. The horses will break -down.’</p> - -<p>‘We will go on till they do,’ I answered sternly. -‘And let this be your last attempt to disobey me. At -the next I send you back, and go on without you.’</p> - -<p>The man slunk forward, muttering curses, which -I affected not to hear. But I had not yet frightened -him sufficiently. At the next halt one of the drivers -came to me and reported that a horse had gone lame.</p> - -<p>‘Bring it here,’ I commanded.</p> - -<p>He went away, and returned leading the animal.</p> - -<p>‘Go,’ I said sternly. ‘Take the horse back with -you, and take rations for three days. Do not let me -see you again.’</p> - -<p>The driver looked thoroughly crestfallen. He -slouched back to his comrades without another -word.</p> - -<p>I waited till half an hour had passed, then I rose -and walked over to the camp-fire, round which my -followers were seated, the driver among them.</p> - -<p>‘How is it that you are still here?’ I demanded.</p> - -<p>‘The horse is all right again,’ was the surly answer.</p> - -<p>‘So much the worse for you.’ I took out my -revolver in one hand, and my watch in the other. -‘In ten minutes from now I aim this revolver at -you, and fire,’ I remarked. ‘It kills at two hundred -metres. I should advise you to get out of range.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span></p> - -<p>I do not think I have ever seen a man get through -his preparations in less time than then. Long before -the allotted time was up, he was well out of reach, -galloping down the slope of the hill.</p> - -<p>In every expedition through a wild country there -comes a moment which decides who is to be master. -That moment past, I had no fear of further trouble. -I was now able to unbend with the guide; I informed -him that I expected to find gold, and promised him -a rich reward if I succeeded with his aid.</p> - -<p>But a disappointment was in store for me. Although -we marched carefully along the summit of -the hills, and I scrutinised every yard of the valley -below with a powerful field-glass, I detected no trace -of anything calling for investigation; in fact, I discerned -no signs of human life. By the time I had -worked down to the railway I began to fear that I -was on a false scent.</p> - -<p>It was in the night, after we had pitched our camp -close beside the line, that the true solution occurred -to me. I rose and secretly crept out of my tent, -eluding the solitary watchman, and made my way -along the track of the rails. After groping and -stumbling over the roughly laid road for three or -four miles, I suddenly made a discovery. The line -divided, sending off a branch rail, which curved -away to the south.</p> - -<p>I knew now what had become of the missing gang<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> -of prisoners, or rather—for by this time I saw more -clearly—of military recruits.</p> - -<p>I also knew why I had missed my way. The -guide had led me to the north of the line, and what -I had come so far to find lay to the south.</p> - -<p>The next day I issued orders to continue the -march to the southward, crossing the railway. The -face of the guide, when he received this direction, -sufficiently showed that I was getting warm, as the -children say, at last. He made no open remonstrance, -but in the course of the day I noticed that another -man and horse had disappeared.</p> - -<p>I paid no attention to this proof of treachery. It -came too late to affect me. By noon of the first -day after quitting the main line for the south, I -was already in possession of the carefully guarded -secret of the Council of State.</p> - -<p>There at my feet, along the widening valley, lay -a double line of rails, gleaming blue in the sunlight, -and all across the level space at regular intervals -stretched low banks and ditches—the lines of a -vast encampment, capable of accommodating half a -million men. Still further on I had a glimpse of -the white sparkle of tents and piles of fresh-hewn -timber, and I even fancied I could catch the faint -hum of voices and the thud of hammers as the -hidden army toiled away at its barracks and entrenchments.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_116" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_116.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="captionx"><p>“There at my feet, along the widening valley, lay a double line of rails, and all across the level space stretched low -banks and ditches—the lines of a vast encampment, capable of accommodating half a million men.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span></p> - -<p>The meaning of the Peace Rescript was manifest -at last, and the meaning was formidable indeed. -While appearing to disarm in concert with the rest -of Europe, Russia’s intention was secretly to withdraw -her enormous forces to this unsuspected retreat, -from whence, at the decisive moment, they would -issue like a creation of magic, to overwhelm the -defenceless continent.</p> - -<p>I had made my discovery; it was still a question -whether I was to return with it in safety.</p> - -<p>Before I had made up my mind whether to push -my observations further, I was alarmed to see a -sotnia of Cossacks approaching, led by a Russian -officer. My little camp was quickly surrounded, -and the officer presented himself before me.</p> - -<p>It required all my nerve to deal with the emergency. -The first words of the officer showed me that he considered -me a spy, and was prepared to hang me out -of hand. I affected the utmost astonishment and -indignation, and produced the papers which showed -me to be a Frenchman travelling on behalf of various -financial syndicates in Paris. The officer thrust -them aside contemptuously.</p> - -<p>‘All this is nothing to me,’ he declared. ‘You -should not have come within reach of our camp. -Even if I do not hang you, you will never be allowed -to return to Europe, of that you may be assured.’</p> - -<p>‘I will take my chance of that, captain,’ I answered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span> -coolly. ‘Living in this out-of-the-way region, you -perhaps have not heard that France and Russia are -in military alliance, and, besides, that the Tsar has -declared his intention to disarm, so that your preparations -here have ceased to be of the slightest -consequence to anybody.’</p> - -<p>The officer was fairly staggered. He had heard, -of course, of the French alliance, and no doubt some -rumour as to the recent rescript had penetrated to -the secret camp, but without its scope being very -well understood.</p> - -<p>‘I know that it is my duty to arrest you, at the -very least,’ he persisted.</p> - -<p>‘As to that, you will do as you please. It will -sound well in Paris that every prospector who -ventures into Siberia with a view of developing the -resources of the country exposes himself to the -treatment of a spy. M. Witte will find it takes -some persuasion to secure another French loan.’</p> - -<p>It is needless to give further details of a conversation -in which the ignorance of the Russian gave -me a very great advantage over him. I am vain -enough to plume myself on having made use of the -treacherous rescript to out-manœuvre its authors. In -saying that, of course, I do not refer to Nicholas II., -who perhaps did not even know of the existence of -the hidden camp.</p> - -<p>In the end the Cossack officer decided to escort<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> -me back to the town where I had left the train, -and hand me over to the civil authorities, a decision -which was assisted by the usual methods of persuasion -in the East. My friend the Prefect, already -predisposed in my favour, required a somewhat -heavier bribe, and finally I made assurance doubly -sure by resuming my journey eastward, and leaving -Russian territory by way of the Chinese frontier.</p> - -<p>It was from the first telegraph station in the -Celestial Empire that I sent the cipher despatch to -Constantinople which was destined to render abortive -the much-talked-of Conference at the Hague:</p> - -<p>‘<em>Russia preparing enormous concealed camp in -Siberia, beside railway, to hide forces when nominally -disbanded. I have seen it.</em>’</p> - -<p>Abdul Hamid was too shrewd to take any open -part in opposing the Russian proposals, but when -I saw the firm stand made against them by the -German representatives, I knew that he had not -thrown my telegram into the waste-paper basket.</p> - -<p>It only remains to add that the Russian Government, -realising that its secret had been betrayed, -stealthily set to work to efface every sign of the -concealed camp; and that, if my latest information -be correct, the mysterious valley is again given over -to silence and to solitude.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="V">V<br /> - -<span class="fs80">WHO REALLY KILLED KING HUMBERT OF ITALY?</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">Guy de Maupassant once remarked to me that it -was necessary to preserve the Anarchists in order to -make modern history interesting.</p> - -<p>The rulers of the world seem to be of the same -opinion. Over and over again scientists and men of -common sense have told them that the Anarchist is -simply a diseased mind, requiring to be dealt with -like other brain-sick creatures. But statesmen and -police alike have persisted in treating the Anarchist -as a serious politician, with results which are, unfortunately, -too well known.</p> - -<p>It is true that, after the death of Elizabeth of -Austria, the chivalrous King of Italy, Humbert, -summoned a conference of diplomatists and police -directors in Venice to consider methods for dealing -with the Anarchists. But he would have done better -to call in Professor Lombroso. I myself would undertake -to guarantee the life of every ruler in Europe<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> -and America, for the sum of £20,000 a year, provided -I were allowed to incarcerate in an asylum every man -whom I could prove to be a sufferer from homicidal -mania.</p> - -<p>As it was, I foreboded that the only result of King -Humbert’s gallant action would be to point him out -to these creatures as their next victim. Yet I must -now so far confess myself mistaken as to declare that -the death of the late King of Italy does not really lie -at the door of Anarchism.</p> - -<p>It was another European sovereign, more alive to -the realities of the situation than Humbert, who -secretly commissioned me to make an investigation -into the organisation of the Anarchist sect and the -trend of its operations. I must not disclose the name -of this monarch; to do so would be to point him out -to the vengeance of the assassins.</p> - -<p>As soon as I had received his commission I laid -aside all my other work and prepared to disappear for -an indefinite period.</p> - -<p>My first step was to transform myself into a workman, -or rather a loafer, for an industrious workman -is seldom found among the ‘active’ Anarchists. I -secured a few jobs in Paris as a house-painter’s -labourer—that is to say, I did the scraping and cleaning -before the skilled workman applied the fresh -coats of paint. I took care to show no zeal in my -employment, and in the intervals of work I hung<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> -about the brasseries and grumbled at the smallness -of my earnings.</p> - -<p>By these tactics I quickly earned the reputation of -a good comrade, and a true-hearted Republican. The -Socialists of the quarter I had chosen to work in -quickly recognised me as a likely convert, and I -allowed them to enrol me in one of the most advanced -societies.</p> - -<p>All these measures were mere preliminaries to the -final one of blossoming forth as a declared Anarchist. -It is from the ranks of Socialism that Anarchism -draws its recruits. Though the two theories are -utterly opposed, they express the same discontent -with civilisation. An Anarchist is little more than -a Socialist who has gone out of his mind.</p> - -<p>By going over to the Anarchist group from the -arms of their rivals, I ensured myself a welcome -which would never have been given to me had I -attempted to force myself upon them at the outset.</p> - -<p>Among the Anarchists it was necessary to adopt -rather different tactics. I had now to play the part -of a dangerous lunatic, only awaiting direction from -some superior mind to commit an act of violence.</p> - -<p>Paris itself is not an important Anarchist centre. -The French police are too quick witted for their -capital to be a comfortable residence for these desperadoes. -The three great centres, as most people -know, are Zürich, London, and Jersey City, U.S.A.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span></p> - -<p>Zürich is the Russian headquarters, and is rather a -place for Nihilists than international Anarchists. I -therefore decided to cross over to London, in the -hope of coming into touch with the leading minds of -the sect.</p> - -<p>In London I found myself received without the -least suspicion. My carefully prepared record stood -me in good stead. I was introduced by my Parisian -comrades as a promising convert from Socialism, -and no one inquired further.</p> - -<p>I found the London Anarchists torn by internal -dissensions which left them no time to think of -attacking kings and queens. The first man I was -asked to murder was Prince ——, the leader of the -idealist group, whose sole offence was his refusal to -concur in the homicidal programme of the active -Anarchists.</p> - -<p>I refused to execute this mandate, on the plea that -I had vowed to put to death a crowned head, and -could not afford to risk my life in the pursuit of -humbler prey.</p> - -<p>I may state here that the elaborate machinery -of secret meetings, oaths, ballots, and so on has -no existence except in the imagination of popular -novelists. Their fantastic descriptions can only provoke -a smile on the part of any one who has been -behind the scenes of Anarchism.</p> - -<p>The Anarchists are a fluctuating community, here<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> -to-day and gone to-morrow, among whom a few leading -spirits who have learned to know and trust each -other by actual experience exercise an influence much -like that exercised by the Front Bench over a Parliamentary -party in England, an influence which varies -with their own concord and strength of character.</p> - -<p>When these leaders find a man whom they see to -be a suitable instrument, they bring their influence to -bear on him to carry out whatever object they may -agree upon. In some cases perhaps a pantomimic -scene is arranged, such as we read of in romances, -to impress a weak mind. I can only say that I never -saw anything of the sort.</p> - -<p>A well-known Anarchist, whose name would be -recognised immediately were I to mention it, took -me aside one night, and suggested to me the removal -of the Prince. I gave the answer I have mentioned, -and the proposal was instantly dropped.</p> - -<p>My refusal was followed, naturally enough, by an -attempt on my own life. Two days afterwards -the editor of an Anarchist paper, who had taken -rather a fancy to me, came round to my lodgings -before daybreak and advised me to leave for America. -He gave me no reason for this advice, but he was -very urgent with me, and insisted on writing me a -letter of introduction to a man living in Jersey City. -I promised to consider the matter, and he bade me -farewell.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span></p> - -<p>On leaving my lodging an hour later to go and -look for a job—the customary pretence—I discovered -immediately that I was being followed. I need -scarcely say that for me to baffle the clumsy espionage -of such blunderers would have been the easiest -thing in the world. But I wished to see how far they -would go, and I allowed my tracker to follow me all -day. At night I went down to the Thames Embankment. -I placed myself on the edge of the river steps -by Cleopatra’s Needle, and waited.</p> - -<p>I am a good swimmer, and I did not think it likely -that my enemy would use a weapon if he thought he -could get rid of me by the simple method of pushing -me into the water. A pistol would be too dangerous -for himself on account of the report. I had seen that -he did not carry a stick. He was probably armed -with a knife, and he might try and give me a thrust -with it as he pushed me over; but a knife-thrust in -the back is not a very serious thing to a man who -has been in the habit of wearing a mail shirt for -twenty years.</p> - -<p>I am ready to confess that my heart beat faster as -I heard the stealthy tread coming up behind me. -To my surprise the would-be assassin paused before -he had got within striking distance, and shuffled with -his feet on the flags. Puzzled by these tactics I -glanced round and saw a young man, not more than -twenty years of age, whose face was white, and who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> -was trembling in every limb. At once I grasped the -situation. The poor wretch’s heart had failed him, -and he was trying to put me on my guard against -himself, in order that he might have an excuse for -not carrying out his task.</p> - -<p>I walked past him without a word, shook him off -in the course of the next hour, and took the last -train to Liverpool.</p> - -<p>On my arrival in the States, I lost no time in -seeking out the man to whom my editor friend had -furnished me with an introduction. To the European -reader it may be worth while to explain that Jersey -City practically joins on to New York, so that it is -really a suburb of the American metropolis.</p> - -<p>I was received with open arms by this man—an -Italian named Ferretti—and I became a member of -the most influential Anarchist club. Among those I -sometimes played dominoes with there was a long-haired -dreamer named Bresci, a visitor from Paterson. -All this time I passed under the name of Lebrun. -My American citizenship I carefully concealed.</p> - -<p>I soon saw that some one had informed the -American group of my being bound by oath to -kill a crowned head. On all hands I was treated -with the deference due to a prospective martyr. -It was not long before Ferretti himself began to -sound me as to my willingness to make Humbert -of Italy my victim.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp47" id="i_126" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_126.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“I walked past him without a word.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>I was careful not to discourage this suggestion -as I had the one made to me in London. I listened -to all Ferretti had to say with apparent acquiescence.</p> - -<p>‘Humbert has placed himself at the head of our -enemies,’ he urged. ‘This Venice conference is a -declaration of war. If we wish to maintain our -moral ascendency we must strike a blow which will -intimidate other rulers from proceeding against us.’</p> - -<p>As soon as I could get away I went into New -York and sent a code telegram to my secretary in -Paris for him to decipher and send on to the King of -Italy. It was in these terms: ‘<em>Anarchists in Jersey -City, U.S.A., are looking for man to send against -you. Have ports watched.</em>’</p> - -<p>Unfortunately the King paid no attention to this -warning. He was a fatalist, it seems.</p> - -<p>Ferretti returned to the charge before long. I -kept him in play, neither consenting nor refusing, -my object being, of course, to retain his confidence. -I did not want another man to be despatched instead -of me without my knowledge.</p> - -<p>It was not long before others beside Ferretti began -to try and influence me in the same direction. It -is difficult to trace the first birth of suspicion in the -mind, but a suspicion was born in mine that these -men had some motive which they had not yet -disclosed to me for urging me to this attempt.</p> - -<p>I tested them at last by making a counter-proposal.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> -It was in the club, late one night, and there were -present, beside Ferretti, another Italian who called -himself ‘The Bear,’ a bearded German named Peters, -and a Swiss watchmaker, who was lame and used -crutches. These four seemed to have a common -understanding.</p> - -<p>Peters had been acting as spokesman, and strongly -denouncing the proceedings at Venice, which he -described as an abandonment of the methods of -civilisation—a curious complaint for an Anarchist -to make.</p> - -<p>Ferretti applied the moral.</p> - -<p>‘Some one must be found to avenge us,’ he declared. -‘If Humbert is suffered to live, our principles are -doomed.’</p> - -<p>‘I am not sure of that,’ I answered. ‘Humbert is -not a politician. He has been stirred up because -Luccheni killed a woman, which, in my opinion, was -an unwise action. We ought to choose our victims -more carefully. It is absurd to pick off a man like -Humbert, when there are such enemies as —— and -—— alive.’</p> - -<p>My remarks were received in ominous silence. The -other four exchanged looks of disappointment. The -Bear was the first to protest.</p> - -<p>‘It is the curse of Anarchism that every one wants -to have his own opinion. It seems to me that when -men like ourselves, who have guided the movement<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> -for years, are agreed on the right course of action, a -new comrade ought to accept our decision.’</p> - -<p>I did not retort that the word Anarchist, if it -meant anything, meant one who had his own -opinion and refused to be guided by the agreement -of others. There is nothing a fanatic resents -so much as reason, except ridicule. Instead, I -affected to be surprised.</p> - -<p>‘Do you mean that you disapprove of the execution -of ——?’ I demanded, naming a man -whose reputation for cruelty and bigotry was world -wide.</p> - -<p>‘The removal of Humbert ought to come first,’ -was the answer.</p> - -<p>‘Do you say that deliberately? Have all our -comrades made up their minds, or is it merely your -own opinion?’</p> - -<p>‘It is the judgment of us four,’ said The Bear. -‘That ought to be enough.’</p> - -<p>‘We are willing to provide funds for any comrade -who will undertake the mission,’ added Peters.</p> - -<p>‘But not for any other mission, such as one against -——?’ I ventured to object.</p> - -<p>‘We have not said that. We are ready to consider -an application.’</p> - -<p>The last answer came from the lame watchmaker, -who had kept his eyes fixed on me with a close -scrutiny during the whole conversation. It was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> -evident that this man was more cautious than the -other three, and that he had begun to distrust me. -Perhaps he thought I was a boaster; perhaps his -suspicions went deeper.</p> - -<p>‘Well, I am not under anybody’s orders,’ I said, -rising to my feet. ‘Show me that I can serve the -cause better by Humbert’s removal than any one -else’s, and I will take the mission.’</p> - -<p>The four let me come away in silence. I had -now no doubt whatever that there was some very -strong motive in the background behind all this -talk about the Venice conference, and I sent a -fresh wire to the threatened King—‘<em>American -group absolutely determined on your death, and -offering bribes.</em>’</p> - -<p>This telegram was treated with the same indifference -as its predecessor.</p> - -<p>Ferretti was naturally more inclined to trust me -than were the others, thanks to my London friend’s -recommendation. I was, therefore, not surprised to -receive a call from him the next day, and to find that -he was at last going to show his hand.</p> - -<p>‘It is right, is it not,’ he began, ‘that you are -prepared to undertake the removal of one of our -enemies, provided you are satisfied that you are -doing good to the cause?’</p> - -<p>‘That is all I ask,’ I responded; ‘Humbert or -another, what does it matter to me?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_130" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_130.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘I am not under anybody’s orders,’ I said, rising to my feet.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>‘You don’t consider that the fact that Humbert -has taken a leading part against us marks him -out for destruction?’</p> - -<p>‘No, I don’t; I don’t believe he is any worse than -the others.’</p> - -<p>‘Very well; admitting that, for the sake of argument; -if I were to prove to you that Humbert’s death -would benefit the cause specially in other ways, what -would you say?’</p> - -<p>‘If I believed that, I should most likely consent.’</p> - -<p>‘Good! That is what I expected. Now you -understand that what I am going to tell you must -be in the very greatest confidence.’</p> - -<p>I nodded.</p> - -<p>‘The removal of Humbert will put funds at our -disposal for other work.’</p> - -<p>At last I was on the trail. Carefully concealing -my excitement under an appearance of natural curiosity, -I inquired: ‘How is that, comrade?’</p> - -<p>‘You must not ask too much. I have only got -authority to tell you that it is so. A sum of money -will be ours as soon as Humbert is dead.’</p> - -<p>‘And you will not tell me how or why?’</p> - -<p>Ferretti hesitated.</p> - -<p>‘It has been promised us—guaranteed to us, in -fact—by one who has reasons of his own for wanting -to see Humbert out of the way.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span></p> - -<p>‘I don’t like the sound of that,’ I objected. -‘It sounds as though we were being hired as private -assassins.’</p> - -<p>Ferretti’s face fell.</p> - -<p>‘I am afraid I cannot tell you anything more -without consulting others,’ he said slowly. ‘I will -swear to you, if you like, that it is not a case of -private revenge. The person behind us has public -reasons for his conduct, though they are not the -same as ours.’</p> - -<p>This statement threw me into a brown study. -What public reasons could any one possibly have -for the removal of the King of Italy? The Garibaldians? -No, they were not assassins—besides, -they would not have come to America to get a -suitable instrument. There were plenty nearer at -hand.</p> - -<p>‘Listen to me,’ I said at length. ‘When I took -a vow to rid the world of a crowned head at the risk -of my own life, I did not undertake to become a -blind tool in the hands of any one else. I owe no -obedience to you or our comrades. I say what I -said last night—convince me that I ought to kill -Humbert, and I will. But it is no good if you can’t -trust me. Why should I trust you with my life, -when you won’t trust me with your reasons for wanting -this King out of the way?’</p> - -<p>Ferretti was staggered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span></p> - -<p>‘I will tell the others what you say,’ he declared. -‘For my part, I think your demand is reasonable.’</p> - -<p>He left me, but did not come back. Days passed, -and no further overture was made to me. On the -contrary, the lame Swiss began to talk to me about -the other victims I had pointed out, and to encourage -me to fix on one of them.</p> - -<p>I was able to guess what had happened. The four -were looking for a more docile tool.</p> - -<p>I sent off a third wire:</p> - -<p>‘<em>I have lost touch with the conspiracy. From this -moment I no longer answer for your life.</em>’</p> - -<p>This warning was not even shown to the doomed -King.</p> - -<p>I now adopted a course which I had put off as -long as possible, on account of the risk involved. I -secretly engaged a second lodging at a distance, -where I could disguise myself as I pleased, and -began to shadow the Anarchist leaders.</p> - -<p>It was a dangerous game to play, because such -men were accustomed to find themselves the subject -of police surveillance, and would probably be -quick to detect anything of the sort. My only -chance of success lay in the fact that I already -possessed so much knowledge of their movements -as to make the task of watching them a comparatively -easy one.</p> - -<p>I had come to the conclusion that the real head<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> -of the group was the crippled Swiss. This man kept -a small shop, chiefly for repairs, in the heart of the -Italian quarter. I made up as a Corsican, to account -for any imperfections of accent, and hung about the -neighbourhood, begging.</p> - -<p>Ferretti, Peters, and The Bear were frequent -visitors, and the simpleton Bresci called once or -twice, but for some days I saw nothing that I could -fix upon as having a suspicious look. I remembered, -however, that the lame watchmaker had always -been missing from the gatherings at the club -on Saturday nights, and I looked forward to making -some discovery when the end of the week arrived.</p> - -<p>I was not disappointed, though I had to wait so -long that I almost gave up hope. Just as the clock -struck ten a tall, swarthy figure brushed right by -me, and slipped into the little shop. The moment -after, the lame man came out into the street, and -began putting up the shutters.</p> - -<p>It was necessary to act promptly. I stepped up -to the Swiss and whispered my assumed name in -his ear.</p> - -<p>‘Lebrun! You!’ he ejaculated in astonishment. -‘I thought you were one of the police.’</p> - -<p>‘It is the other way about,’ I answered. ‘The -police have been after me; that is why I have had -to disguise myself. But let us come inside, I want -to talk to you.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span></p> - -<p>As I expected, he tried to prevent me going -in.</p> - -<p>‘No, not there. I have some one on business.’</p> - -<p>‘Business of the cause?’ I demanded.</p> - -<p>‘Yes—no, private business.’</p> - -<p>‘I will wait in the shop till he is gone,’ I returned, -and pushed my way through the door, the cripple -following.</p> - -<p>The tall, dark figure started to its feet in evident -alarm as we entered. I saw a brown hand glide -towards the bosom, an action which told me that I -was not dealing with a European. In the dim light -of the little shop I could not fix the stranger’s -nationality more precisely. He did not seem to be -an Arab; he was above the grade of a negro. If I -had met him in Algiers I should have called him a -Sudanese, a convenient term for the unknown races -of Africa.</p> - -<p>The situation was a complicated one. The watchmaker, -it was evident, did not more than half believe -my account of myself; I could not tell that the -stranger really had any connection with the mystery -I wanted to unravel; and he must have been utterly -confounded by my intrusion.</p> - -<p>‘Is your friend one of us? Does he know anything -about the business you put before me the other -day?’ I asked of the Swiss in Italian.</p> - -<p>Before the Swiss could do more than give me a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> -warning gesture, the unknown had addressed him -in the sort of Italian which forms the common -speech of seamen in the Levant.</p> - -<p>‘Is this the man you thought you could persuade -to undertake the work?’</p> - -<p>The watchmaker was fairly cornered.</p> - -<p>‘Go inside and I will speak to you,’ he said to -the swarthy outlander; then he added, speaking in -quick French to me—‘I must have some explanation -with you before I trust you again.’</p> - -<p>‘That will not do for me,’ I returned, sticking -to my Italian and trying to render it intelligible -to the unknown. ‘You have asked me to do a -dangerous work on behalf of the cause; very well, -I am ready to do it, but first I insist on knowing -who is going to provide the sinews of war. That is -fair, it seems to me.’</p> - -<p>This time the stranger’s tone became peremptory.</p> - -<p>‘Why do not you wish me to speak to this man?’ -he asked.</p> - -<p>The shopkeeper scowled at both of us by turns.</p> - -<p>‘Because I don’t know that he is right,’ he -muttered.</p> - -<p>‘How do I know that you are right?’ I retorted. -‘It appears you are going to have a big price for -this business, and you want me to shut my eyes -and not ask what becomes of the money.’</p> - -<p>The Swiss wrung his hands in despair. I believe<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> -that he was quite honest, and that he wished for -the money in order to spread his atrocious principles; -while his distrust of me was only too well founded.</p> - -<p>I addressed myself boldly to the unknown.</p> - -<p>‘I am your man, I believe. Tell me who you are, -and why you want this job carried out, and I will -undertake it. As for the money, you may hand -that over to my comrade here, as long as I know -how much it is.’</p> - -<p>This last offer turned the balance. The Swiss -himself proposed that we should come into the -back shop and talk things over in confidence.</p> - -<p>When we were all three seated together, it was -the watchmaker who gave me the long-sought explanation -in a few words.</p> - -<p>‘This man is an Abyssinian. He has come here -on behalf of the Emperor Menelik.’</p> - -<p>‘Menelik!’ I exclaimed in astonishment. ‘What -has he got to do with us?’</p> - -<p>‘Nothing directly; but if you have read the papers -you must know that Humbert was the moving spirit -in the Abyssinian war. He made peace after Adowa, -under pressure from the Crown Prince, who told him -the dynasty was in danger. But Menelik believes -that the King is secretly preparing for a fresh attack. -He is in league with the British, who are advancing -from the Sudan. The Abyssinians want to clear -the Italians out of their country altogether, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> -they can never do that while Humbert is alive. -That is how it stands, isn’t it?’</p> - -<p>This last question was addressed to Menelik’s -agent. The Abyssinian answered by a smile that -showed his formidable white teeth.</p> - -<p>‘The King of Italy is the enemy of Abyssinia. -The King of Italy must die. If an Abyssinian tries -to kill him, he will be suspected, and stopped; therefore -he must be killed by a European. The Negus -has sent me to find a European who will do this -for money. I have been in Italy and France, and -there they told me that it was best for me to apply -to the followers of your religion, which teaches that -all kings ought to be killed. Is it not so? Therefore -I come here, to the headquarters of your sect. -If one of you will accept the task, on that day I -pay him in the money of this country one thousand -dollars. On the day I hear that King Humbert is -dead I pay you four thousand dollars. Divide it -how you like; that is nothing to me.’</p> - -<p>Improbable as a fairy tale though all this sounded, -I could not resist the evidence of my own senses, -which showed me the Abyssinian envoy there in -the flesh. I knew, of course, that assassination has -always been one of the recognised political methods -of Asiatic and African States, but this alliance -between a half-civilised despot and the extreme -revolutionaries of Europe struck me as altogether<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> -without precedent in the history of the world. -Certainly my own experience, fertile as it naturally -had been in surprising incidents, had never brought -to light a more singular intrigue than this.</p> - -<p>My position now became an extremely difficult one. -I had practically agreed to accept the commission -to assassinate the King of Italy, but it was not -that which troubled me. I foresaw that as soon as -Menelik’s agent realised that he had been played -with by me he would endeavour to find some other -and more trustworthy tool. To denounce him to -the police of New York would have been perfectly -idle; in the first place he could buy the police, -and in the second place no American court would -punish a ‘political’ conspiracy, unless, indeed, it were -against the United States.</p> - -<p>I contented myself for the moment with formally -undertaking the required murder. The Abyssinian -arranged to bring the first instalment of the blood -money to the watchmaker’s house on the following -Saturday night, and we all three parted apparently -on the best of terms.</p> - -<p>The next day I sent off a long telegraphic despatch -summarising the whole situation. The proposal -I made was that the Italian Government -should cable me authority and funds to enable me -to have the Abyssinian envoy privately kidnapped, -and returned to his own country, <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">viâ</i> Massowah.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span></p> - -<p>They had the incredible folly to wire instead to -their Minister in Washington, instructing him to -demand the arrest and expulsion of Menelik’s agent.</p> - -<p>The net result of this ill-considered action was to -flood the Italian quarter of Jersey City for several -days with sham detectives, to cause a thousand or -two dollars to pass into the pockets of the local -Tammany, and to compel me to hasten my departure -for Europe on my supposed mission, in order -to rebut the suspicions of the Anarchists—and, in -fact, to escape their vengeance.</p> - -<p>The night before my departure there was a little -supper at the club, at which the four were present. -No open reference was made to the object of my -journey. But after supper the half-witted Bresci, -who had been one of the party, asked leave to walk -home with me.</p> - -<p>‘I wish I were going with you,’ he said suddenly.</p> - -<p>‘I wish I could put you in an asylum, where you -would be taken care of,’ was my thought in answer. -I said aloud that I had reasons for going alone.</p> - -<p>‘I know those reasons,’ the enthusiast declared. -‘Let me come with you. I am not afraid.’</p> - -<p>For a moment I hesitated. A king’s life was in -the balance, though I did not know it.</p> - -<p>I made the clever man’s common mistake—I -underrated the strength of the fool.</p> - -<p>‘Take my advice,’ I said to Bresci, ‘leave this work<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> -to men like me. You are not suited for it: you -would betray yourself directly.’</p> - -<p>His face became overcast, and he relapsed into a -sullen silence which lasted till I parted from him -at my own door.</p> - -<p>An hour before stepping on board the steamer -that was to convey me to Havre I sent off a final -wire: ‘<em>Am leaving to-day for Europe, pledged to kill -King Humbert.</em>’</p> - -<p>This bitter shaft of contempt roused even the -Italian police into activity. On landing at the -French port I was met by a detective sent from -Rome.</p> - -<p>I took him with me to a hotel, where we discussed -the situation in a private room.</p> - -<p>‘It seems to me that we are all right for the -present,’ he urged. ‘As long as they think you -are going to carry out the work they are not likely -to send any one else.’</p> - -<p>‘Do not be too sure,’ I answered. ‘There is a lame -watchmaker over there who does not quite trust me.’</p> - -<p>‘What do you propose to do?’ asked the detective.</p> - -<p>‘To shoot King Humbert,’ I replied.</p> - -<p>The man gasped at me in sheer amazement.</p> - -<p>‘I am going to put you to a practical test,’ I -explained. ‘I am going to try and discharge a -blank cartridge at the King. If you can prevent -my doing so, I shall hope that his life is safe.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span></p> - -<p>‘But what do you expect us to do? We cannot -arrest you.’</p> - -<p>‘No; that is my point. You know that I am -going to kill your King, and yet the law does not -permit you to interfere till you see me put my finger -to the trigger of my revolver.’</p> - -<p>‘We can stop you at the frontier.’</p> - -<p>‘Try,’ I said drily.</p> - -<p>He tried. A week later I was in Rome.</p> - -<p>In reality I did not intend to go quite so far as I -had threatened. To do so would have been offensive -to his Majesty. What I desired was to put the -police thoroughly on the alert. I hoped to stimulate -them into taking precautions which would be effective -against a real assassin.</p> - -<p>For I knew better than to think that Menelik’s -envoy would go away satisfied with having despatched -me on the errand of death. I did not -believe the swarthy figure with the formidable white -teeth would leave New York till he had received -some certain assurance of the success of his murderous -plans.</p> - -<p>Before leaving the United States I had arranged -with my old employers, Pinkerton’s, to have a watch -kept on all outward-bound vessels, so that I might -receive the earliest information of any move on the -part of the Abyssinian. I had supplied them with -a full description of the man.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span></p> - -<p>Meanwhile the Italian police did their best, -hampered as they were by the King’s chivalrous -disregard of danger, and his dislike of surveillance. -It is not an easy thing to guard a monarch against -his will.</p> - -<p>As soon as I had satisfied myself that my disguise -as an Italian workman was impenetrable, I went -northward after the doomed King. As my train -rolled into the station at Turin, I caught a glimpse -on the platform of a white face with long draggled -hair and a haunted expression in the eyes—a face -that I had last seen in a Jersey City slum at midnight, -more than a month ago.</p> - -<p>Long before the train stopped I had leapt out of -my compartment in hot pursuit; but Bresci had -disappeared.</p> - -<p>I went instantly to the chief police-officer in Turin -and gave information. Detectives were despatched -in all directions to search the city; but it was too -late.</p> - -<p>The following morning a telegram was put into -my hands before I got out of bed. It was from -Pinkerton’s, and contained these words: ‘<em>Man -answering description has just booked passage to -Liverpool.</em>’</p> - -<p>This despatch convinced me that the situation -was desperate. Coupling the news with the sight -of the evening before, I could not doubt that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> -Abyssinian agent expected to hear within the next -few hours that his dreadful end was achieved.</p> - -<p>I dressed in feverish haste and rushed round to -the police-office, only to learn that no arrest had -been made, and Bresci was still at large.</p> - -<p>‘Unless that man is apprehended within the -next twenty-four hours, King Humbert will have -ceased to live,’ I told the astonished chief of -police.</p> - -<p>In this extremity I decided to proceed to Monza, -see the King myself, and implore him not to stir -abroad until Bresci’s capture was notified. That -afternoon, as I entered the small town of Monza, I -was arrested on suspicion!</p> - -<p>It was in vain that I protested, warned, and -threatened. My demand to be carried before King -Humbert was regarded as a proof of guilt. My disclosure -of my identity was suspected as a ruse. I -was confined in a cell while telegrams were being -exchanged with my friend the Italian detective, and -with my secretary in Paris.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, as I tramped impatiently up and down -within my narrow bounds, I was aware of a terrible -commotion outside. Men ran past the door of my -prison, curses and cries were heard, and there was a -sound of bayonets being fixed. Maddened by the -nervous tension, I battered with my manacled hands -against the cell door.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp50" id="i_144" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_144.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘You are free,’ he said briefly. ‘The right man has been arrested, -too late.’”</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span></p> - -<p>It was flung open from without, and an armed -warder faced me.</p> - -<p>‘You are free,’ he said briefly. ‘The right man has -been arrested—too late.’</p> - -<p>I sank down on the plank seat and burst into -tears.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="VI">VI<br /> - -<span class="fs80">THE PERIL OF NORWAY</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">The readers of my previous revelations will have -noticed that I have constantly been engaged in -thwarting the schemes of the cunning rulers of -Russia. This has been to me a labour of love. My -father, as I have said, was a native of Poland, and I -have avenged his wrongs on the Government which -drove him forth to exile.</p> - -<p>I have already related how I exposed and defeated -the insidious design concealed under the Peace Rescript -of Nicholas II. Hardly had this audacious -intrigue miscarried when Europe was startled to -hear that the Ministers of the Imperial peacemaker -had overthrown the ancient liberties of Finland, in -order to swell the Finnish contingent to the armies -of the Tsar.</p> - -<p>This time I admit that I was deceived, like everybody -else. The brutal frankness of the proceeding -disarmed suspicion. When Russia openly declares -herself a tyrant, it is difficult to believe she is -dissembling.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span></p> - -<p>But there was one man in Europe who saw that -there was more in the proceedings against Finland -than met the eye. This was a monarch whose genius -and nobility of character would have placed him at -the head of living rulers had he been born to the -command of a great Power instead of a small and -distracted State. I need scarcely say that I refer -to his Majesty, King Oscar of Sweden and Norway.</p> - -<p>It was with peculiar satisfaction that I received a -confidential summons from this King, whose fine -qualities I had long admired, and by whom I felt -it a distinction to be trusted. I was far from guessing -the real nature of the business on which I was -to be employed.</p> - -<p>As the message did not come to me through the -Scandinavian Minister in Paris, but was a private -autograph communication from King Oscar himself, -I was disposed to think his Majesty wanted me to -adjust some family affair. It is well known that the -Bernadottes are not more free from such anxieties -than other royal houses.</p> - -<p>On my arrival at the beautiful capital of Sweden, -I put up at the Hotel Rydberg, entering myself as -the Baron de Neuville, on tour. The same evening -I was called upon by one of the King’s intimate -friends, the Count Söderhielm, who took me across -to the Palace, and introduced me into King Oscar’s -private cabinet.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span></p> - -<p>I noticed as we crossed the Place Gustavus -Adolphus that the flag was not hoisted on the -Palace. His Majesty was supposed to be at Drottningholm, -from which place he had come secretly -in a small launch for the purpose of our interview.</p> - -<p>As soon as Count Söderhielm had presented me -to his Majesty, he retired to the antechamber, -leaving us together.</p> - -<p>‘Perhaps you are wondering what I have sent for -you to do?’ King Oscar began.</p> - -<p>‘At least, I do not doubt that any service on which -your Majesty employs me will be an honourable -one,’ I answered respectfully.</p> - -<p>The King smiled.</p> - -<p>‘I have not sent for you to pay me compliments,’ -he said rebukingly. ‘Let me first ask if it is true -that you are no friend to the Russian Government?’</p> - -<p>I looked at the King in some surprise.</p> - -<p>‘It is better for me to tell you, sire, that I do not -allow my private feelings to enter into my work. -The Russian Government has employed me before -now, and may do so again; in which case I should -serve it as loyally as I hope to do your Majesty.’</p> - -<p>The King did not seem ill-pleased by this frankness.</p> - -<p>‘I respect you for that answer,’ he said graciously. -‘I ought not to have asked you for your personal -confidence.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span></p> - -<p>‘I am a Pole by my father’s side, sire,’ I threw in.</p> - -<p>King Oscar thanked me for this hint by a nod.</p> - -<p>‘Let us come to business. You have taken note, -I expect, of this determination to Russianise Finland?’</p> - -<p>I bowed, restraining my curiosity at this unexpected -opening.</p> - -<p>‘You know that Finland is an ancient province of -the Swedish Crown, and that when it was united to -Russia, after the fall of Napoleon, my ancestor, the -then Crown Prince Bernadotte, was authorised to -take Norway as a compensation?’</p> - -<p>‘I do, sire.’</p> - -<p>‘Perhaps you know also that the exchange has -been a disastrous one for Sweden. The Finns were -contented and happy under our rule, while the -Norwegians have done nothing but quarrel with the -Swedes for a century.’</p> - -<p>‘I have heard something of this,’ I responded.</p> - -<p>‘Now as long as Finland held the position of a -semi-independent State, over which the Tsar ruled -as Grand Duke of Finland, it was possible for us to -regard her as a buffer between us and Russia. We -had every reason to hope that if the Russians wished -to attack us, they would have to subdue Finland -first.’</p> - -<p>‘I was hardly aware of that, sire.’</p> - -<p>‘It is the fact. The Finnish civilisation is really<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> -Swedish, our language is spoken there, and the -Swedish element in the population looks on Sweden -as its real home. Very good. That being so, the -Russians have decided to conquer Finland in time -of peace, under the cloak of administrative measures.’</p> - -<p>‘Your Majesty means that this attack on Finland -is really an attack on Sweden and Norway?’</p> - -<p>‘It is the first step towards an attack on Sweden,’ -King Oscar answered, with significance. ‘The question -of Norway is the matter about which I have -sent for you.’</p> - -<p>I gazed at the King in astonishment.</p> - -<p>‘I am the King of Norway as well as of Sweden,’ -his Majesty pursued, ‘and you must not think I -favour one country more than the other. But I -might as well be King at the same time of France -and Germany, for any real harmony there is between -the two countries. The Norwegians are working -for absolute separation; the Swedes will grant them -everything except the right to make war on Sweden; -and yet they cannot agree.’</p> - -<p>‘You fear, sire, that the Norwegians will fight in -order to secure their independence.’</p> - -<p>‘I fear it is rather the other way about,’ the King -answered sorrowfully. ‘They aim at independence -in order to be able to fight. You see me in the -position of a father whose two children are ready to -rush at one another’s throats, and who cannot show<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> -kindness to one without incurring the hatred of the -other. This situation has poisoned the peace of -mind of every sovereign of Scandinavia for a hundred -years. It broke my grandfather’s heart.’</p> - -<p>I listened to this sad confession with respectful -sympathy. King Oscar proceeded—</p> - -<p>‘Let me tell you some more. Before the last -Russo-Turkish war, the geography of the Balkans -had been made for a year the special study of the -Military School in Petersburg. Last month the -geography of Scandinavia was given a similar precedence. -That is not all. A swarm of Russian -officers, disguised as woodcutters, have been coming -over the northern frontier, and making their way -down through Sweden, surveying the country as -they go.’</p> - -<p>‘Surely they can be arrested as spies!’</p> - -<p>‘We dare not,’ was the response. ‘That would -be forcing Russia’s hand. We can only watch, and -await developments.’</p> - -<p>‘The Germans ought to know of this,’ I ventured -to remark.</p> - -<p>‘The Germans are more afraid of Russia than we -are,’ the King answered. ‘Germany is no longer a -first-class Power. There are in fact only four Powers -of the first magnitude to-day, Great Britain, Russia, -the United States, and China. The two English -Powers together could dictate to the world, but they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> -are divided by the childish American jealousy. -China is still asleep. Consequently all the other -Powers of Europe are little more than vassals of -the Tsar. France has openly placed herself under -his protection. Austria has become Russia’s junior -partner in the Balkans. The independence of -Germany is only nominal; the Emperor takes his -time from Petersburg. No other country counts.’</p> - -<p>It was the first time that I had heard the situation -summed up with such pitiless plainness.</p> - -<p>‘You consider, then, that Russia is actually about -to draw the sword?’ I asked.</p> - -<p>‘No, she will leave us to do that. Russia has -discovered that her conquests advance better under -the cloak of peace. She means to take Norway -under cover of a declaration in favour of Norwegian -independence.’</p> - -<p>‘But the Norwegians—are they mad enough to -become parties to that? Do they want to exchange -King Log for King Stork?’</p> - -<p>‘Go and see,’ was King Oscar’s reply.</p> - -<p>I quitted his Majesty’s presence, and returned to -my hotel, deeply disturbed by what I had heard. -I could not suppose that the most sagacious sovereign -in Europe was indulging in idle fears. Yet it was -hard to believe that the inhabitants of a free, -self-governing country would voluntarily exchange -their condition for servitude to the Asiatic despotism<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span> -which had just laid Finland prostrate at their -door.</p> - -<p>Three days afterwards I arrived in Christiania. -I had made careful preparations for the task before -me. I assumed the character of a Russian spy, as -the least likely to provoke suspicion of the quarter -from which I really came. And I had disguised -my person as effectively as I knew how, lest I -should meet a real agent of the Tsar’s Government, -who might detect A—— V—— beneath the outward -semblance of Alexander Volkuski.</p> - -<p>The pains I had taken were well rewarded. In -the hotel in which I put up I found staying a man -who passed as a Finnish officer, of Swedish nationality, -but whom I immediately recognised as Count -Marloff, the confidential right-hand man of M. de -Witte himself. It is true the Russian was disguised, -and the disguise was a very good one, but by an -almost incredible oversight he had ventured to -assume that a disguise which had already done duty -once might safely be used again.</p> - -<p>It was seven years before, in Teheran, that I had -seen that reddish wig and noted that peculiar limp, -but if Count Marloff had offered me his card I -could not have been more sure of his identity. -Such mistakes may be pardonable in a mere detective, -but they are fatal in our profession.</p> - -<p>My tactics were soon decided on. I knew that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> -the attention of ‘Colonel Sigersen’ would be quickly -attracted to a Russian staying in Christiania, and -I have generally found the boldest game to be the -most successful.</p> - -<p>I seized the first opportunity of the Count’s being -seated alone in the smoking-room of the hotel, to -go up to him boldly.</p> - -<p>‘How do you do, Count?’ I said in Russian. -‘Or perhaps you will wish me to say “Colonel”?’</p> - -<p>Marloff started, as well he might, and stared hard -into my face.</p> - -<p>‘My name is Colonel Sigersen,’ he said forbiddingly. -‘Have I had the pleasure of meeting you -before?’</p> - -<p>This was the opening I wanted. I drew back -disdainfully.</p> - -<p>‘I must apologise,’ I said, with irony; ‘I have not -had the honour of meeting you, <em>Colonel Sigersen</em>. -Pray do not think I wish to intrude on you.’</p> - -<p>Marloff saw his mistake. In the secret service -of Russia nothing is more common than for two -different agents to be employed independently of -each other, and even as spies upon each other. -When that happens, if the two men are wise, -they strike up a private alliance, and compare -notes at their employers’ expense. When they -keep each other at arm’s length, each has it in -his power to cause annoyance to the other.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span></p> - -<p>Marloff was now in the position of having refused -my overture towards friendship, without knowing -who I was. This left me free to watch him, without -rendering any explanations. He was consequently -furious with himself.</p> - -<p>The fact is the man was a mere amateur, as one -who drops into a profession from above generally is. -De Witte had taken him out of a cavalry regiment, -and made a diplomatist of him; but when it came to -secret service work he was a child in the hands of a -man like myself.</p> - -<p>I saw the pretended Colonel get up and limp out -of the room, no doubt to send a cipher despatch to -the Minister, complaining of my arrival. I went to -the manager of the hotel, introduced myself as a -Russian police agent on the track of a great rouble -forgery, and wormed out of him a mass of particulars -with regard to Sigersen’s movements.</p> - -<p>I gathered that he had been in Christiania about a -month, having toured through Norway first as far -north as Trondhjem. He had made numerous -friends in the Norwegian capital, including several -prominent members of the Storthing, as they call -their parliament. But his chosen intimate appeared -to be a judge named ——, who was regarded as a -guiding spirit of the party most strongly hostile to -the Swedish connection.</p> - -<p>It was Judge —— who had prompted the erection<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> -of a fortress on the Swedish-Norwegian frontier, -guarding the approach to Christiania. The same -warlike functionary had decided on the judicial bench -that no native of Sweden could exercise the rights -of a citizen in Norway until he had taken out letters -of naturalisation. In short, this judge had carefully -taught his countrymen to treat the Swedes as Englishmen -were treated by the Boers in the days of the -Transvaal Republic.</p> - -<p>All this was nothing more than I had been prepared -for by King Oscar. The task now before me -was to ascertain if possible what was the nature of -the understanding between Judge —— and the agent -of the Russian Government.</p> - -<p>I asked the hotel manager—</p> - -<p>‘How does Colonel Sigersen pay your bill?’</p> - -<p>‘By cheque,’ was the ready answer. ‘By cheque -on the Bergen and Christiania Bank.’</p> - -<p>‘Is it usual for foreign visitors to have a banking -account open in Christiania?’ I inquired, keeping up -the part of a detective.</p> - -<p>The manager admitted it was not. Evidently, now -I had drawn his attention to the point, it struck him -as suspicious. I left him, feeling that I had secured -an ally in my watch on Marloff, and made my way to -the offices of the bank.</p> - -<p>The director of this institution received me with -every courtesy. Bankers are too often victimised<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span> -for them to regard the police with any feeling but -gratitude. The tale I brought was received with -open ears.</p> - -<p>‘I have reason to think that an account has been -opened with you for purposes of fraud. If I am -right, the swindlers have endeavoured to gain your -confidence at the outset by a large credit. This -credit has been opened in the name of Colonel -Sigersen, a pretended Finlander.’</p> - -<p>The manager was visibly alarmed.</p> - -<p>‘A gentleman of that name has opened an account -with us, certainly,’ he answered cautiously. ‘But he -brought the very best introductions. In fact I could -not have asked for better.’</p> - -<p>‘Have you any objection to tell me the character -of those introductions?’</p> - -<p>‘I don’t mind telling you that one was from -a well-known citizen, a man in a very responsible -position.’</p> - -<p>‘In short, Judge ——?’</p> - -<p>The manager started.</p> - -<p>‘How did you know that?’ he demanded.</p> - -<p>‘I have been on Colonel Sigersen’s track for a -long time,’ I answered evasively. ‘I venture to -think that if you make inquiries, you will find -that his Honour, Judge —— knows very little about -him really, and nothing at all about his financial -standing.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span></p> - -<p>‘I will communicate with his Honour, and let you -know the result.’</p> - -<p>‘Do so, by all means. In the meanwhile, perhaps, -you may be willing to tell me how this man’s credit -is supplied?’</p> - -<p>The manager hesitated.</p> - -<p>‘I hardly know whether I ought to betray his -affairs until I have something more to go upon.’</p> - -<p>‘Perhaps you will let me ask you if Sigersen has -yet made a large payment in rouble notes?’</p> - -<p>‘I can answer that—no.’</p> - -<p>‘Then I think you may be safe for the present,’ -I said. ‘When he does, I advise you to pass them -on to your Russian correspondents as quickly as -possible.’</p> - -<p>This shot told. The manager became very uneasy. -By degrees I worked on his fears till he invited me -to examine his ledger. I did so, and found that -Marloff had brought a heavy credit from a Petersburg -bank, and, what was more to my purpose, -had drawn several heavy cheques to the order of -Judge ——.</p> - -<p>‘So far you seem to be on the safe side,’ I commented -as I finished my inspection. ‘But I have -two pieces of advice to give you. On no account let -this man overdraw his ascertained credit, and do not -honour any cheques drawn against rouble notes till -you hear from me again.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="i_158" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_158.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘Let me see your warrant,’ I said.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>The manager thanked me, and allowed me to -depart.</p> - -<p>I had now to consider the best way in which to -approach the judge, who was not likely to prove -easily gullible, as it was fairly certain that Marloff -and he were in each other’s confidence.</p> - -<p>But I had underrated the Russian’s resources. On -re-entering my hotel I was accosted by a man in the -uniform of the Norwegian police, who informed me -that he held a warrant for my arrest.</p> - -<p>‘On what charge?’ I demanded, as soon as I -had recovered from my first surprise.</p> - -<p>‘On a charge of conspiracy against the Government -of Norway,’ was the answer.</p> - -<p>‘I arrived in Norway only yesterday,’ I exclaimed.</p> - -<p>‘All that you can tell to the judge,’ retorted the -police officer.</p> - -<p>‘Let me see your warrant,’ I said.</p> - -<p>The man produced the paper, while the hotel -manager, who had arrived on the scene, looked on -astonished, as he well might.</p> - -<p>The warrant bore the signature of Judge ——.</p> - -<p>‘Take me to the judge instantly, if you will be so -good,’ I said.</p> - -<p>‘I am going to,’ the officer returned.</p> - -<p>He made no attempt to secure me, probably having -had his instructions. We walked together to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span> -judge’s house; he appeared to combine the functions -of a judge and committing magistrate; and I was -conducted into a room evidently used for the -examination of prisoners.</p> - -<p>Judge —— entered immediately, and we exchanged -scrutinising glances. The leader of the anti-Swedish -party was a young man, still on the right side of -forty, with a very determined countenance, and a -look about which there was nothing furtive or embarrassed. -It was not an intellectual face. I put the -man down as a strong-willed, ambitious intriguer, -with courage, but not very much disinterested -patriotism.</p> - -<p>‘What is the meaning of this preposterous arrest?’ -I demanded, with warmth.</p> - -<p>‘This is an affair of State; I will examine the -accused in private,’ the judge announced, not answering -me directly.</p> - -<p>As soon as the room was cleared, he turned to -me.</p> - -<p>‘Who are you?’ was his first question.</p> - -<p>‘I am a Russian,’ I answered.</p> - -<p>‘I know that. What is your business here?’</p> - -<p>I breathed again. I now knew that Marloff had -failed to guess my identity.</p> - -<p>‘I have come here on the track of certain forgers,’ -I began, and went on to tell the story I had given to -the hotel manager and the banker.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span></p> - -<p>Judge —— listened incredulously.</p> - -<p>‘I do not believe a word you have said,’ he declared. -‘Show me your papers.’</p> - -<p>I produced the passport and credentials from the -Russian police with which I had been careful to -provide myself. They were, of course, forged.</p> - -<p>‘I will retain these and ascertain if they are genuine,’ -the judge observed.</p> - -<p>‘Your Honour means that you will submit them -to the suspected man,’ I returned boldly.</p> - -<p>‘How dare you say that? How dare you call’—he -hesitated for a second—‘Colonel Sigersen a suspected -man? You know perfectly well who he is.’</p> - -<p>‘I know him to be the most skilful forger in Russia,’ -I answered, not quite untruthfully.</p> - -<p>Judge —— glared at me as if he would like to -have struck me.</p> - -<p>‘What nonsense! You know his real name.’</p> - -<p>‘What difference does that make, your Honour?’</p> - -<p>‘You know he is a man in high position, in the -confidence of his Government.’</p> - -<p>‘I know he was, till recently. I have no doubt he -is capable of pretending he is still.’</p> - -<p>The judge was plainly disconcerted by the line I -was taking. He had hoped, no doubt, that I should -meet him half way.</p> - -<p>‘On your arrival here you recognised the Count, -and greeted him. He rebuffed you, as he had a perfect<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> -right to do, and denounced you to me as a spy. -It is too late for you to turn round and pretend that -he is a criminal. It is you who are on your defence, -not he.’</p> - -<p>‘Your Honour has been imposed upon. But it is -of no consequence. Tell me what I am charged with, -and I will defend myself.’</p> - -<p>‘You are a spy.’</p> - -<p>‘In a sense that is true. I am a detective.’</p> - -<p>‘By whom are you employed?’</p> - -<p>‘Your Honour has my papers.’</p> - -<p>The judge bit his lip. He clearly did not know -how to proceed. I, of course, could see that it was -not his game to bring me to a public trial.</p> - -<p>‘It seems to me, sir, that it is a mistake for us to -quarrel,’ I said after giving him a minute for reflection. -‘If I have annoyed Count Marloff by recognising -him, that is not an offence against the law of -Norway, I presume. On the other hand, if I am -right in my conjectures, or rather my <em>instructions</em>, -the Count himself should be the last man to provoke -a public inquiry into his business here. Your Honour -knows the law better than I, but I should have -thought there might be something in the business -transacted between you and the Count which would -not look well——’</p> - -<p>He interrupted me.</p> - -<p>‘I want to know why you are here. If you are a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> -friend, of course there is no need to quarrel. If -not’—he shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>‘I came as a friend,’ I replied. ‘I came prepared -to co-operate with you, to assist you, in fact. But I -must first know how you stand with regard to Marloff. -Is he your personal friend, or are the relations between -you exclusively political?’</p> - -<p>‘I have no personal feeling for him,’ was the -guarded answer.</p> - -<p>‘Very good. In that case your Honour shall see -my real credentials. I must tell you frankly that -Count Marloff has ceased to enjoy the implicit confidence -of his and my Government.’</p> - -<p>I put my hand into an inner pocket, and produced -a slip of paper in the forged handwriting of the -Russian Foreign Minister.</p> - -<p>‘Does your Honour recognise that writing?’ I -asked, with a confident air.</p> - -<p>Judge —— was completely deceived. He glanced -at the few lines, which were in French, with an air -of the greatest respect. Then he looked at me.</p> - -<p>‘I must apologise, Prince ——’ he began, when I -raised a warning finger.</p> - -<p>‘Hush! Not my real name, please.’</p> - -<p>I took back the paper with an air as if my life -depended on its preservation, and restored it to my -pocket.</p> - -<p>‘I am exceedingly sorry to have had to show you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> -this,’ I said gravely. ‘I have, in fact, exceeded my -instructions, which were simply to watch Count -Marloff and report on the progress he was making. -His own violent action has forced me to go further -than I wished. I am sorry to say it confirms the -suspicion entertained in the Foreign Office that he is -playing a double game. He is a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">protégé</i> of M. de -Witte’s, but M. de Witte is not infallible.</p> - -<p>‘Now I am afraid I must ask your Honour to take -me into your confidence. I trust you have not put -yourself into Marloff’s power? I know that he has -paid you considerable sums.’</p> - -<p>Judge —— looked decidedly nervous.</p> - -<p>‘I have given him nothing in writing, I believe,’ he -answered, glancing at the same time at an iron safe -let into the wall of the room.</p> - -<p>‘So far, so good. It is writing that counts in these -affairs. Have you any objection to my seeing the -memoranda you have made of your conversations -with him?’</p> - -<p>The judge stared at me as if I had been a wizard.</p> - -<p>‘I don’t know what makes you think I have taken -any memoranda,’ he protested.</p> - -<p>‘Just as you please, sir,’ I said drily. ‘I should -have been gratified if you had so far confided in me -as to let me glance inside that safe. But you are -right to be cautious.’</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp48" id="i_164" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_164.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“He bent forward to listen, and as he did so I launched my clenched -fist at his right temple with my full force.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>His eyes turned once more in the direction of the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>safe, in spite of himself. I saw a struggle going on -in his mind.</p> - -<p>‘There is no necessity for you to decide hastily,’ I -said in my blandest tones. ‘I am as anxious as you -are that you should have every possible security. If -you are so far satisfied as to release me from arrest, -we can sit down and talk over things quietly.’</p> - -<p>This hint had the desired effect. The judge called -in the policeman, and informed him that his services -were no longer required.</p> - -<p>As soon as I heard the outer door of the building -clang to on the departing officer, I drew nearer the -judge, lowering my voice to a confidential whisper, -as I said—</p> - -<p>‘Now you shall have the truth.’</p> - -<p>He bent forward to listen, and as he did so I -launched my clenched fist at his right temple with -my full force, and he dropped senseless without so -much as a sigh.</p> - -<p>The moment I was satisfied that he was unconscious -I stepped to the door and locked it. Then I -rifled his pocket of his bunch of keys, picked out the -right one, and opened the safe, all without drawing -breath.</p> - -<p>The contents of the safe were chiefly official law -papers, which I did not waste time over. But in a -narrow tray at the top I found something that interested -me more.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span></p> - -<p>It was nothing less than a draft treaty—a treaty to -be made between the Norwegian Ministry, acting -without the knowledge of their King, and the -Imperial Government of Russia!</p> - -<p>I did not stay to read the document through. -After a hasty look to make sure I was leaving nothing -else of importance behind, I locked the safe, drew off -its key from the bunch, and dropped the other keys -on the floor beside the stunned man, slipped quietly -out of the room and out of the house.</p> - -<p>Instead of returning to my hotel, I made my way -down to the harbour—I did not dare to risk trying -to get a train. In the harbour I hired a small fishing-boat -with a sail, and put straight out to sea. It -was on the tossing waters of the Cattegat by moonlight -that I took in the provisions of the extraordinary -compact between the Norwegian conspirators and -their Imperial ally.</p> - -<p>The document had been carefully drawn up, evidently -with an eye to the public opinion of Europe, -which would naturally be scandalised by an alliance -between the great Slave despotism and a Teutonic -commonwealth.</p> - -<p>The treaty began by reciting that the Union -between Sweden and Norway had been forced on the -Norwegians against their will, by the Swedes aided -by Russia’s authority. It went on to state that the -Union had failed to benefit either country, and that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> -Russia had consented to undo her past injury to -Norway by helping her to annul the bond.</p> - -<p>Then followed the particulars of the aid to be -rendered. Norway pledged herself not to make any -open move till the signal was given from Petersburg, -which was to be as soon as Finland had settled down -into the condition of a Russian province. In the -meantime the Norwegians were to strengthen themselves -in every possible way, and to keep up a steady -pressure of agitation against Sweden.</p> - -<p>As soon as all was ready, the Norwegian Storthing -was to meet in secret session and proclaim Norway a -free and independent Republic, under the protection -of the Tsar, and mass her troops on the frontier. -Two Russian Army Corps were to be ready in Finland, -on the pretext of manœuvres, and these were -to be hurled across the frontier to the north of the -Gulf of Bothnia. At the same time the Russian -fleet was to cross the Baltic, occupy the island of -Gothland, and blockade Stockholm and the Swedish -ports.</p> - -<p>All these measures were to be taken merely as -precautions. If the Swedes accepted the inevitable, -the Russians were to retire again. If the Swedes -took up arms, war was to be declared, and Russia -was to annex Gothland to her Empire, the Norwegians -receiving territory in the north.</p> - -<p>And what was the price which the Tsar was to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> -receive for this mighty demonstration? It was not -a nominal one. The Norwegian Republic bound -itself to grant to his Imperial Majesty a lease for -twenty-five years—that is to say, for ever—of a -warm-water port on the Atlantic Ocean, to be used -as a depôt and coaling station for the Russian Fleet.</p> - -<p>It was the dream of six generations of Muscovite -statesmen realised at last. Russia, with one foot on -the Atlantic and another on the Pacific, would -dominate the Old World.</p> - -<p>All that night the fishing-boat carried me along in -the track of the Baltic steamers. At dawn I boarded -an English packet going into Gothenburg, and thirty-six -hours later I stood again in King Oscar’s cabinet, -and placed the treaty in his hands.</p> - -<p>I watched the brave monarch read it through from -beginning to end without one manifestation of dismay -or even of indignation.</p> - -<p>‘My poor subjects!’ was his sole remark as he -raised his eyes at the end. ‘They little know the -fate they are preparing for their children.’</p> - -<p>I asked if his Majesty had any further instructions -for me. To my surprise he answered, ‘Yes.’</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp59" id="i_168" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_168.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“I watched the brave monarch read it through from beginning to -end without one manifestation of dismay.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>‘There is only one quarter to which I can look for -aid,’ he said, ‘and that is England. Germany is a -broken reed. Go to England, take this document -with you, show it to the principal members of the -Government, telling them how it came into your -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span>hands, and ask them if they wish to see a Russian -Cherbourg within twelve hours of the Scottish -coast. If they remain indifferent, I can do nothing -more.’</p> - -<p>‘The English Press?’ I suggested doubtfully.</p> - -<p>‘The Norwegians have captured it, I fear,’ objected -his Majesty. ‘Norway is the playground of the -British tourist; and, besides, the English consider -themselves half Norwegian by race. No, popular -sentiment in Great Britain is on the side of Norway.’</p> - -<p>‘Nevertheless, sire, if thoughtful Englishmen could -be made to realise that, for the sake of pique—for a -mere whim—the Norwegians were about to place -the keys of the Atlantic in the hands of Britain’s -most formidable foe, they might make their influence -felt.’</p> - -<p>‘Do what you think best, M. V——,’ the King said -wearily. ‘I am getting an old man, and I wish for -peace.’</p> - -<p>I have ventured to take his Majesty at his word.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="VII">VII<br /> - -<span class="fs80">THE RUSE OF THE DOWAGER EMPRESS</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">Some two or three years back—that is, shortly -before the great Boxer rising in China—the careless -Parisians were amused to hear of the existence in -their midst of an association styling itself the <em>Company -of the Joyous Peach Blossom</em>.</p> - -<p>This body professed to be a literary guild or -brotherhood formed for the purpose of studying the -Chinese poets, and transplanting some of the poetical -flowers of the East into the garden of Western -literature. All this sounded a trifle fantastic, and -Paris, accustomed to the caprices of its youthful -literary coteries, shrugged its shoulders and asked -with a smile whether the guild possessed more than -two members in all, or whether it were not a -pure myth, and the <em>Company of the Joyous Peach -Blossom</em> a device of some budding poet, anxious to -seek notoriety.</p> - -<p>The announcement of the guild’s existence struck -me in a different light. Having made a profound -study for many years of secret societies, past and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> -present, I had grasped the fact that China is the -one land in which such societies are truly formidable, -all the most famous secret societies of Europe -being mere trifles compared with the terrible conspiracies -which honeycomb the Heavenly Kingdom.</p> - -<p>I had learned, moreover, that the most powerful -and reckless of these Chinese societies assumed the -most innocent and poetical names, as, for example, -the dreaded brotherhood of the <em>Waterlily</em>, which -deluged Southern China in blood forty years -ago.</p> - -<p>Therefore, while the French police, usually so -shrewd in dealing with secret political organisations, -did not deem the <em>Company of the Joyous Peach -Blossom</em> worth a moment’s consideration, I set to -work to find out all I could about it.</p> - -<p>I was not long in discovering that the guild was -more than the eccentric imagination of a Quartier -Latin poet. To begin with, I found that similar -societies, bearing names of an equally fantastic -nature, had simultaneously come into existence in -London, Berlin, New York, and Chicago, and that -all these bodies were in correspondence with one -another.</p> - -<p>I found, further, that the members of the Parisian -society were in communication with a retired French -diplomatist of singular character, a man who had -returned from a ten years’ sojourn in Pekin, steeped<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> -to the lips in Chinese ideas, and a professed follower -of Khung the Master, or Confucius, as he is called in -the West.</p> - -<p>I ascertained that the guild had its headquarters -in the studio of a rising artist of the Mystic school, -that it held meetings from time to time, of which -minutes were kept, and in the record of its proceedings -there appeared references to certain Chinese -spirits of the underworld, and entries which, in -veiled language, hinted at rites having been practised -of a nature which could only be described as -sorcery.</p> - -<p>I had no very definite object in acquiring this -information, but I was led on by a vague idea that -it might be useful to me at some future time. -During the storm of indignation aroused in Europe -by the Boxer massacres, nothing more was heard -of the <em>Company of the Joyous Peach Blossom</em>, which -seemed to have sunk out of existence. I had ceased -to think about it, when one day, shortly after the -conclusion of the peace negotiations, my secretary -came in to ask me if I would receive a gentleman -whose card he handed to me.</p> - -<p>I took the card, and read on it the name of -M. Caramel-Bignaud. M. Bignaud was a young poet -of distinction, whose verses, stamped with a delicate -aloofness of their own, had attracted the attention -of connoisseurs in the columns of <cite lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Gil Blas</cite>. To me<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span> -he possessed an interest of a different kind, for I had -last read his name as president at the meetings of -the <em>Company of the Joyous Peach Blossom</em>.</p> - -<p>‘I will see this gentleman,’ I told my assistant.</p> - -<p>Partly surprised, partly gratified, by this proof that -I had rightly gauged the importance of the guild, I -waited with keen curiosity to hear what M. Bignaud -had come to say to me.</p> - -<p>The poet entered and took the chair I pointed -out to him without a word. Then, leaning back -negligently and fixing his dark, sleepy eyes on mine, -he began—</p> - -<p>‘I have come to ask you, M. V——, if you are -willing to undertake a long journey—a very long -journey—without receiving any information as to -the business which awaits you at the end.’</p> - -<p>‘But that is easily answered,’ I said. ‘Provided I -am sufficiently well paid for my time and trouble, -it makes no difference to me where I go, or whether -there is anything for me to do when I get there. -It must be always understood that I am at liberty -to refuse this business, if I choose, without assigning -any reason, and that my refusal will make no -difference to my charge for the journey itself.’</p> - -<p>‘Your conditions are perfectly satisfactory,’ M. -Bignaud declared. ‘Whatever sum you require -shall be paid to you in advance. How soon will -you be able to start?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span></p> - -<p>I reflected for an instant.</p> - -<p>‘If you wanted me to go to any place in Europe -or America I should have said immediately. As -you are going to send me to China I must have six -hours to get ready.’</p> - -<p>The poet’s sleepy gaze changed into one of astonishment.</p> - -<p>‘But have I said anything about China?’ he -demanded, evidently in some dismay.</p> - -<p>‘You have said nothing. I am accustomed to -draw inferences in my work, and there is no time -to lose if I am to start as soon as I have said.’</p> - -<p>‘The affair is not so pressing,’ the poet remarked -with a smile. ‘The hurry and flurry of the West -are not known in that delightful country. It will -be quite soon enough if you start to-morrow, or the -day after.’</p> - -<p>‘So much the better. Am I to go to Pekin or -Sing-fu?’</p> - -<p>‘To Sing-fu.’ M. Bignaud’s tone betrayed a mild -surprise at my guess. ‘It is unnecessary, I suppose, -to observe that the mission is confidential?’</p> - -<p>That is the sort of remark which always irritates -me.</p> - -<p>‘I am a confidential agent,’ I retorted curtly. ‘To -whom am I to report myself?’</p> - -<p>M. Bignaud leant forward impressively.</p> - -<p>‘To the Dowager Empress!’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span></p> - -<p>I received this announcement without manifesting -any emotion.</p> - -<p>‘Am I to take any credentials?’</p> - -<p>The president of the <em>Company of the Joyous Peach -Blossom</em> unbuttoned his coat, and drew from the -breast-pocket a small parcel wrapped in yellow silk. -Unwinding the silk, fold by fold, with reverent care, -he displayed to view a square tablet of translucent -stone, of a colour like that of an olive tree seen at -a distance with the light upon it. It was a piece -of jade, a stone whose beauty is not yet appreciated -in Europe, but which the Chinese estimate far above -onyx or mother-o’-pearl or chalcedony.</p> - -<p>Taking the tablet from his hand, I perceived that -it was engraved with the figure of a dragon, whose -extended claws each showed five talons.</p> - -<p>‘This is an Imperial talisman,’ I observed.</p> - -<p>‘It is a passport,’ the other responded. ‘The -sight of that tablet will gain you admittance to the -presence of her Imperial Majesty.’ He sighed as -he added: ‘You are to be envied, monsieur.’</p> - -<p>‘That remains to be seen.’ I proceeded to fix the -amount of my remuneration and expenses, which -M. Bignaud paid without demur.</p> - -<p>As he was rising to go he could not resist asking—</p> - -<p>‘Have you any objection to tell me what it was -that led you to guess that your journey would be -to China?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span></p> - -<p>‘It was more than a guess, monsieur, since I knew -I had the honour to receive the chief of the <em>Company -of the Joyous Peach Blossom</em>.’</p> - -<p>I almost regretted my openness when I saw the -effect which this confession produced on the poet. -He turned pale, stammered once or twice as though -unable to speak, and finally turned his back without -a word, and rushed from the room.</p> - -<p>It would be tedious to recount the particulars of -my journey across a hemisphere to interview the -extraordinary woman who had revived in our own -day the fabled majesty of Semiramis.</p> - -<p>I reflected that it was not a little singular that, -in an age when the women of the Western world -were clamouring for opportunities to play a greater -part in life, this almond-eyed daughter of the -Manchus had cast ridicule upon their agitation by -proving that it was possible for a woman, born in -the most conservative society of the globe, to achieve -the supreme direction of five hundred millions of -human beings, and to make sport of the statesmen -of Europe and America.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp55" id="i_176" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_176.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“Finally he turned his back without a word, and rushed from the -room.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>To reach Pekin was an easy matter, but my -difficulties began when I embarked on the dangerous -enterprise of travelling into the interior of the -empire, through provinces seething with hatred of -the foreign devil. In spite of the magic influence -of my sacred tablet, I found it prudent to disguise -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span>my Western extraction under the official robes of -a mandarin of the fourth class. Thus attired I -travelled in security and comfort, everywhere received -with the honours due to a high official -honoured with a summons to the Court of Heaven.</p> - -<p>As I approached Sing-fu I left the disturbed area -behind me. The inhabitants of this inland region -did not appear to have heard of the troubles in -Pekin or the arrival of the German Michael with -his mailed fist to exact redress for the murder of -his Ambassador. They understood merely that the -Son of Heaven had come among them for repose -after the labour of chastising certain barbarian pirates -who had been infesting the sea-coast.</p> - -<p>It was given out by my attendants that I had -come to report the successful execution of his -Majesty’s sentence on the ruffians; and if I had -really left the heads of the German Emperor, the -Tsar of Russia, and President Roosevelt grinning -on spikes over the gates of Pekin, my reception -could not have been more cordial.</p> - -<p>I found the Chinese court encamped in a sort of -military fashion, in charming scenery, at the foot -of a ridge of low hills, amid groves of fruit trees -watered by a delightful stream. The tents of ten -thousand guards and attendants clustered round the -stately pavilions of the great mandarins, adorned -with flags emblematic of their rank; and in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> -centre the great Imperial Dragon Standard floated -over a fairy-like palace whose lacquered wood and -silken curtains concealed the sacred person of the -Mother of the Sun and Moon.</p> - -<p>The disgraced Emperor, whose fate was still a -mystery to his subjects, was closely imprisoned in -one wing of the Imperial quarters.</p> - -<p>It was now that I realised the full significance -of the jade tablet sent to me by the hands of the -student of Chinese literature. The nearer I penetrated -to my august client, the more awe this -symbol seemed to excite, till the attendants who -guarded the antechamber actually fell on their -knees at the sight of it, and refused to rise till I -had replaced it in its silken veils.</p> - -<p>Impressed, in spite of myself, by this ceremonial -homage to a mere token, I felt a real sentiment of -awe as I stood at last in the presence of the being -whom countless millions of men worship as divine.</p> - -<p>Slight, dark-haired, and ivory-pale, the Emperor-maker -received me seated in a simple chair of -bamboo. I was not required to perform the <em>kowtow</em>, -my audience being a strictly private one. I -learned afterwards, moreover, that a hurried decree -of the Board of Rites had raised my grandfather to -the rank of a marquis, in order to qualify me for a -personal interview with her Majesty.</p> - -<p>The conversation was carried on in French, through<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> -an interpreter, himself of such high rank that he -could not have spoken to me directly but for the -recent ennobling of my ancestry.</p> - -<p>‘Her Imperial Majesty has deigned to express a -hope that you are not fatigued by your journey.’</p> - -<p>‘It is impossible to be conscious of fatigue in her -Majesty’s presence,’ I returned with a deep bow.</p> - -<p>By the slight smile that parted the thin, terrible -lips of the Empress, I acquired the certainty that -her Majesty perfectly understood everything that -was being said.</p> - -<p>No doubt the interpreter was equally aware of -this circumstance, for he assumed an expression of -courtly dismay.</p> - -<p>‘I dare not let the Mother of the Emperor know -that you have presumed to offer her a compliment,’ -he said rebukingly. ‘I will tell her Majesty that -you await her Imperial commands.’</p> - -<p>After a short interchange in Chinese, he turned to -me again.</p> - -<p>‘I am commanded to tell you that one of the -barbarian chiefs who have made a disturbance in -the capital of the Empire has made a demand, as -the price of his departure, which is too insolent to -be treated as anything but a display of the ignorant -vanity of a savage. The chief I speak of exercises -some authority among those of the Western devils -who call themselves Dutch or Teutons.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span></p> - -<p>‘You mean the German Emperor?’ I said incautiously.</p> - -<p>The interpreter put on a look of horror, as at some -unheard-of blasphemy.</p> - -<p>‘Hush, I implore you. You forget the Sacred -Presence. There is only one Emperor—he whom -her Majesty permits to execute her will over the -black-haired people. The vain assumption of Imperial -titles by these foreign bandits is deeply -offensive to the Court of Heaven. You understand? -All such upstarts exist merely by the tolerance of -her Majesty. We will speak of this person as the -Viceroy of the German Province.’</p> - -<p>I could scarcely resist a smile as I bowed apologetically. -I imagined myself repeating this conversation -to Wilhelm II., a ruler not inclined to take -too low an estimate of his own consequence.</p> - -<p>‘This rebellious Viceroy,’ the Chinese courtier proceeded, -‘has had the unheard-of arrogance to require -that a Prince of the Manchu dynasty shall travel to -his unknown province to express regret for the death -of its envoy at the Imperial Court.’</p> - -<p>This announcement did not come to me as news. -In passing through Pekin I had learned that one of -the conditions of peace was that a Chinese Prince -should go to Berlin to tender the Imperial apologies -to the Kaiser for the murder of the German Ambassador -during the Boxer rising.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span></p> - -<p>The interpreter went on—</p> - -<p>‘You may be able to understand faintly how such -a proposal must strike the Imperial ears, by imagining -the case of a negro king in the heart of Africa -requiring Queen Victoria to send one of her sons to -prostrate himself in his kraal, because some accident -had happened to one of his slaves in London.’</p> - -<p>I listened in silence to this illustration, which -showed me that the Dowager Empress was pretty -well acquainted with the political distinctions prevailing -among those whom she professed to regard -as savages beneath her notice.</p> - -<p>‘It is, of course, impossible,’ the courtly interpreter -went on, ‘for the Brother of the Sun and Moon to -submit to this degradation, even if it were safe to -expose one of the Imperial House to the dangerous -magical arts of the West. It is rumoured that you -have diabolical contrivances called kodaks; now it -is evident that if one of the Race of Heaven were -kodaked, the Sun himself might avenge such an -insult by refusing to shine upon the earth.’</p> - -<p>He said all this with a perfectly serious air. But -from the expression on the face of the Empress I -fancied her Majesty was a little wearied of this -fulsome strain.</p> - -<p>I ventured to bring him to the point.</p> - -<p>‘Will you tell me what her Imperial Majesty -desires me to do?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span></p> - -<p>‘Her Majesty graciously condescends to confide in -you. Her slaves who reside among the Western -viceroys have assured her that you respect the precept -of the great Khung—“The counsellor who -betrays his lord’s secret and the child who bites -his mother, these are too base to be pardoned.”’</p> - -<p>‘Go on,’ I said, becoming slightly impatient.</p> - -<p>‘It being impossible to do what the German -Viceroy asks, and her Majesty being benevolently -anxious to spare him the humiliation of a refusal, -there has been sought out a man of the people, a -barber in the Tartar city of Pekin, whose features -Heaven has permitted to bear a certain resemblance -to those of his Imperial Highness, Prince -Chung.</p> - -<p>‘This respectable person, whose intelligence is -remarkable for his station in life, has been provided -with a dress sufficiently like that worn by the Imperial -Family to deceive the barbarians. He has -further received some lessons in etiquette and -deportment during the last few weeks. He will -now proceed to the regions of the West, and gratify -the absurd pride of the Viceroy in the manner agreed -upon.’</p> - -<p>‘He will pass himself off as the Prince?’</p> - -<p>‘It is necessary that he should do so, in order to -soothe the Viceroy. It is better that the Prince’s -name should incur this obloquy, than that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> -barbarian soldiery should continue their ravages in -the Heavenly Kingdom.’</p> - -<p>The scheme sounded daring, and yet it seemed to -have a very good chance of success. To a European -eye one Chinaman is very like another. And there -were not likely to be many people in Berlin capable -of distinguishing between the manners of a prince -and a barber, apart from their surroundings.</p> - -<p>‘I don’t see why the plan shouldn’t succeed,’ I -said aloud. ‘Its very boldness ought to carry it -through.’</p> - -<p>I observed a distinct look of satisfaction on the -face of the formidable Empress as I made this comment. -The interpreter hastened to respond—</p> - -<p>‘Your words are those of a prudent man. Her -Imperial Majesty offers you the honour of accompanying -the Prince’s substitute, nominally as his -courier, but really as his protector. You will be on -the watch against any chance of detection, and will -warn him against imprudent conduct.’</p> - -<p>‘I accept her Majesty’s commission,’ was my -answer.</p> - -<p>Before the courtier could go through the form of -interpreting the words, the Empress said something -to him in Chinese, which caused him to start like a -man who can hardly believe what he has heard.</p> - -<p>Her Majesty made an impatient gesture at this -piece of pantomime. Instantly he turned towards me.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span></p> - -<p>‘Will your Excellency permit me to offer you my -most respectful congratulations? The Queen of -Heaven has ordered you a cup of tea!’</p> - -<p>I realised that I was as much exalted as if a mere -barbarian empress had bestowed on me an embrace. -The tea was brought; a whisper from my adviser -warned me that I must merely touch the cup with -my finger and retire.</p> - -<p>The interpreter, whose name I learned was Wu -Tang, accompanied me from the presence to make -the necessary preparations. Once away from the -dreaded eye of his Imperial mistress, he proved -to be a very agreeable, well-informed man, and I -regretted that he was not coming on the mission -to Europe.</p> - -<p>He introduced me to the pretended Prince, who -had already got quite used to his part, and received -me with all the airs of a Cousin of the Sun and -Moon, and Brother-in-Law of the whole Milky -Way.</p> - -<p>Of our journey westward it is needless for me to -write, since our progress was fully reported in the -barbarian press. The barber was kodaked more than -once, the apprehensions of the Chinese Court on this -head being fully justified.</p> - -<p>The principal incident which marked the progress -of the Embassy must also be fresh in the public -mind—namely, the demand of the German Court<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span> -that the Prince should perform the <em>kowtow</em>, and -his refusal.</p> - -<p>It was at this stage that I first felt myself to be -doing something to earn the lavish rewards of the -Dowager Empress. Left to himself, I believe the -barber would have given way, and performed the -degrading obeisance, thereby lowering the honour -of the Imperial House beyond redemption. The -wretched man was thoroughly frightened at finding -himself so far from home; and, in his ignorance of -Western manners, he really thought that the Kaiser -might have him imprisoned and beheaded if he -provoked his Majesty.</p> - -<p>Fortunately we were on Swiss territory at the -time, and by means of my secret agency I was -able to procure a written despatch from the Chinese -Ambassador at another Court, in the name of the -Empress, positively forbidding Prince Chung’s substitute -to comply with the offensive demand.</p> - -<p>The circumstances of our public audience in the -Palace of Berlin were sufficient to daunt any impostor. -I confess to some slight nervousness on my -own part, though I was, of course, disguised beyond -the possibility of recognition, as I stood before the -monarch who had so often trusted me in his most -confidential affairs, and listened to the faltering -speech of the false Prince.</p> - -<p>The Kaiser was attired in his most magnificent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> -costume, wearing the famous winged helmet on his -head, and surrounded by a galaxy of ministers and -great officers, all arrayed in the utmost military -splendour. It was a sight calculated to strike terror -into an Oriental mind, and I admired the theatrical -completeness of the spectacle, almost regretting that -it should be wasted on an obscure underling. Had -the real Prince been there he might have learned a -valuable lesson, and given some good advice to the -Empress of China on his return.</p> - -<p>On the evening after the ceremony the Prince’s -substitute was compelled to attend a banquet, -given in order to mark the termination of strife, -and the restoration of good feeling between the two -empires.</p> - -<p>At this banquet I was unable to be present, my -position being too low for me to receive an invitation, -and too high for me to appear as an -attendant on the Prince. What incident it was -that occurred to rouse the Kaiser’s suspicion, I -have never been able to learn—the luckless barber -himself could not tell me. But late that night -a wire reached me from my office in Paris, to this -effect—</p> - -<p>‘<em>Urgent wire received from German Emperor -requiring you immediately in Berlin. What -reply?</em>’</p> - -<p>With the reception of that telegram a light<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> -burst upon my mind. A doubt which I had tried -in vain to stifle had vexed me all along as to the -sufficiency of the Empress’s motive for retaining my -services, at a high cost, to do practically nothing.</p> - -<p>Now at last it seemed to me that I understood. -This extraordinary woman had doubtless consulted -her representatives in Europe as to the dangers of -detection, and they had informed her that I was -Wilhelm II.’s favourite confidential agent, who would -almost certainly be called in if any suspicion arose. -Thereupon she had adopted the artful device of -retaining me on her own side in advance, placing -me in the extremely delicate position of being -bound by loyalty to her to hoodwink my other -patron.</p> - -<p>What was I to do? A bare refusal or neglect to -answer the Kaiser’s summons would leave him free -to employ another agent, whom I might find it hard -to outwit. On the other hand, I should violate my -lifelong rule, if I accepted a commission which I -could not loyally discharge.</p> - -<p>After much painful thought, I decided on what -seemed to me the only wise and honourable course. -Disguised as I was, I went straight round to the -palace, and asked to see the Kaiser.</p> - -<p>‘Impossible!’ declared the private secretary on -duty, to whom I was first shown in. ‘His Majesty -is retiring. Who are you?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span></p> - -<p>‘Go and tell the Emperor that the man whom he -has just telegraphed to Paris for is here.’</p> - -<p>The secretary gave me an astonished look, as he -well might, and left the room.</p> - -<p>In a minute he was back with instructions to -conduct me to the Kaiser’s presence.</p> - -<p>I found his Majesty in his dressing-room alone.</p> - -<p>‘Monsieur V——! Is this really you?’ he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>‘My voice may be more familiar to you than my -face, sire,’ I responded.</p> - -<p>‘I am delighted. Sit down. I have a most -extraordinary thing to consult you about. This——’</p> - -<p>I ventured to hold up my hand. For the first -time in my life I presumed to interrupt royalty.</p> - -<p>‘A thousand pardons, sire! I beg of you to let -me speak first.’</p> - -<p>‘Why, what does this mean, sir,’ Wilhelm II. -inquired sternly.</p> - -<p>‘It means, sire, that I am compelled to presume on -the many faithful services I have rendered to your -Majesty to ask you for a favour which alone can extricate -me from a position of cruel embarrassment.’</p> - -<p>‘Proceed, sir.’</p> - -<p>The Kaiser’s tone was still reserved, but I fancied -I observed a slight softening in the glance.</p> - -<p>‘I already know the business in which you desire -my aid.’</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp63" id="i_188" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_188.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“<ins class="corr" id="tn-188" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'William II.'"> -Wilhelm II.</ins> strode to me, seized me by the shoulder, and thrust -me out of the room.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span></p> - -<p>‘You know it!’ cried the Emperor, fairly confounded.</p> - -<p>‘It is my business to know things, and I know -this. Now, let me put it to your Majesty, what -can you possibly gain by following up an inquiry -which can have no tangible result? I say no -tangible result, because there is simply no means by -which you can arrive at the proof of what you suspect. -And, if it were otherwise, how could your Majesty -possibly turn the information to account?</p> - -<p>‘You could not entertain the idea of confessing to -the world that you had been duped. Consider, sire, -what use the wits of the boulevards would make of -such a revelation! Imagine the pencil of Caran -d’Ache at work on the episode!’</p> - -<p>I saw Wilhelm II. fidget uneasily, and I knew that -my cause was gained.</p> - -<p>‘On the other hand,’ I resumed, ‘suppose that you -have harboured a suspicion which is unjust. You -run the risk of affronting a submissive enemy—of -insulting the fallen. And it would be too late to -repair the injury to your own prestige; the Paris -mockers would never abandon so good a joke.’</p> - -<p>The Kaiser frowned and tugged at his moustache. -It was evident that he only sought an excuse to yield.</p> - -<p>‘Consider, sire, that what is merely a question of -politics with you is one of religion with the poor -woman you have humiliated to-day. Your end is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> -gained; the Imperial House of China has humbled -itself in the dust before the Hohenzollerns. If a -religious scruple has caused this public act to be -done by proxy, that is a secret known only to a few -persons who, for their own sakes, will never dare to -reveal it.’</p> - -<p>By this time the Kaiser was as anxious to pass the -matter over as he had been just before to investigate -it.</p> - -<p>‘If I consent to take your advice, and dismiss the -suspicion I have formed, will you in turn tell me two -things?’</p> - -<p>‘I have no doubt I shall, sire.’</p> - -<p>‘Then, why are you in Berlin, and how is it you -know so much?’</p> - -<p>‘I am here, sire, in the train of his Imperial Highness, -as the confidential agent of the Dowager Empress -of China.’</p> - -<p>The Kaiser glared at me, biting his lip to repress -the amused smile that struggled forth nevertheless.</p> - -<p>‘M. V——, you are a wonderful man! I am not -sure whether I ought to arrest you or to pardon you -freely; however, I will cry quits if you will tell me -who this fellow really is?’</p> - -<p>‘He is, of course, sire, the brother of his Imperial -Maj——’</p> - -<p>Wilhelm II. strode to me, seized me by the shoulders, -and thrust me out of the room.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="VIII">VIII<br /> - -<span class="fs80">THE ABDICATION OF FRANCIS-JOSEPH</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">I am now going to relate the story of what is, -perhaps, the most extraordinary mission on which I -have ever been employed. It will, I think, come as -a surprise to many of the best-informed politicians -on the Continent, including the highly placed personages -whose schemes I was the means of detecting -and defeating.</p> - -<p>It was during the war between the British and -Boers in South Africa, at a period which I do not -care to specify more particularly, that I had the -honour to receive a request to proceed without loss -of time to Petersburg, and wait upon M. Witte. It -is chiefly this Minister’s unjust dismissal that has -provoked me to make this disclosure.</p> - -<p>I was particularly gratified at being sent for by the -great Russian Minister, because his action was a -demonstration of the high confidence reposed in my -loyalty. Although I was known to be a Pole by -descent, and the favourite and confidant of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> -German Emperor, who had constantly employed me -to combat Russian intrigues, yet M. Witte felt no -fear in intrusting me with the secrets of Russian -statecraft.</p> - -<p>The moment I arrived in Petersburg, I went without -waiting to change or refresh myself to wait on -my client. Our interview took place, not at the -Ministry of Finance, where M. Witte would have been -surrounded by spies, but at a small private house in -a suburb of the Russian capital.</p> - -<p>The Finance Minister received me in a small study, -the walls of which were lined with works on political -economy and kindred subjects.</p> - -<p>‘I have asked you to meet me here,’ the Minister -explained, as soon as I had seated myself, and lighted -the cigar which he pressed upon me, ‘because I don’t -wish the fact that we are in communication to be -known to a single person in the Russian Empire. In -particular, it must be kept a strict secret from the -Minister of War. It is against him that you will -be acting really, and I shall have to ask you to -pledge yourself that in case of your proceedings -attracting his attention, you will lead him to suppose -that you have been commissioned by some foreign -Power.’</p> - -<p>‘That will be easy,’ I replied. ‘Russia has plenty -of watchful enemies. Shall I say Great Britain?’</p> - -<p>M. Witte shook his head thoughtfully.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp59" id="i_192" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_192.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="captionx"><p>“‘Will you permit me to ask you,’ he said politely, ‘if you have -ever done any business on behalf of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary?’”</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span></p> - -<p>‘You would not be believed. No one will credit -the British Government with intelligence enough to -acquire knowledge of its enemies’ intentions. But -that is a point which I can safely leave to your discretion -if the occasion should arise.’</p> - -<p>I contented myself with bowing, and waited for the -Minister to proceed.</p> - -<p>‘Will you permit me to ask you,’ he said politely, -‘if you have ever done any business on behalf of the -Emperor of Austria-Hungary?’</p> - -<p>‘I have been engaged by his Majesty on two -occasions,’ I responded. ‘It was I who succeeded in -suppressing the facts concerning the death of the -Crown Prince Rudolf, and in establishing the currency -of the version which has now been accepted as serious -history. The truth,’ I added, ‘will never be -known to any one outside the innermost circle of the -Habsburg family; and I dare not tell it even to your -Excellency. The other occasion I am not at liberty -to mention.’</p> - -<p>‘Perhaps I can guess it, though,’ the Russian -Minister returned with a shrewd smile. ‘However, -the important thing is that you are already personally -known to the Emperor. It follows from that -fact that he has learned to respect and trust you.’</p> - -<p>I thanked M. Witte for this compliment by a -low bow. At the same time I was a little on my -guard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span></p> - -<p>‘You know so much of what goes on in Europe, -M. V——,’ he resumed, ‘that perhaps it will be no -news to you that Francis-Joseph has decided to -abdicate the Dual Crown.’</p> - -<p>This announcement, in fact, came as a complete -surprise to me. Fortunately I had time to prepare -to receive it calmly.</p> - -<p>‘I will not pretend that it is news,’ was my response. -‘But I am always glad to have my own -information confirmed. I shall be grateful for anything -you may tell me on the subject.’</p> - -<p>‘I am not going to keep anything from you,’ said -the Minister. ‘The Emperor has made a private -announcement of his intention to my own master, -the Tsar, asking for his good offices on behalf of -his proposed successor.’</p> - -<p>‘The Archduke Ferdinand?’ I put in rashly.</p> - -<p>M. Witte drew himself up, and gave me a suspicious -glance.</p> - -<p>‘You are too subtle, M. V——,’ he said coldly. -‘I have no doubt that you know perfectly well that -it is the young Archduke Karl whom the Emperor -has chosen to succeed him.’</p> - -<p>I thought it better to be suspected of subtlety -than nescience, and apologised.</p> - -<p>‘I ought not to have spoken. I beg your -Excellency to continue.’</p> - -<p>‘What I am going to ask you to do may sound<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> -rather extraordinary. I want you to go to Vienna, -see his Majesty, of course without letting him know -that you have been in communication with me, and -tell him that you suspect the Russian Government -is playing him false. Then persuade him to employ -you to find out what is in the wind.’</p> - -<p>I stared at M. Witte in some bewilderment. Then -I answered cautiously—</p> - -<p>‘Do I understand you, sir, to propose that I am -really to enter the service of the Emperor? Or am -I to be your agent in the business?’</p> - -<p>‘I want you to do both,’ was the answer.</p> - -<p>‘I am to deceive the Emperor, it appears?’ I -said with rising indignation.</p> - -<p>‘Not in the least. You will accept his commission -to ascertain the secret intentions and purposes of -the Government of Russia, and you will execute -that commission exactly as if you and I had never -held this conversation.’</p> - -<p>‘M. Witte, I must beg you to be plain with -me. I never consent to act in the dark. What -is your true motive in making this strange proposal -to me?’</p> - -<p>‘I think I have already told you,’ the Minister -returned with perfect coolness. ‘The man whom -I am combating is Count Lamsdorff.’</p> - -<p>‘Your colleague?’</p> - -<p>‘Exactly. My colleague, the War Minister.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span></p> - -<p>‘Let me see if I clearly understand your Excellency. -The Emperor of Austria has given the Tsar private -notice of his intention to abdicate? The Tsar has -promised to preserve a friendly attitude? Nevertheless, -the war party in the ministry, with or -without the Tsar’s connivance, are secretly preparing -to take advantage of the situation in some way? -Your Excellency, knowing this, and disapproving -of their plans, desires to put the Austrian Emperor -on his guard, in order that the scheme may miscarry?’</p> - -<p>M. Witte punctuated this speech with a series -of nods.</p> - -<p>‘And why?’ I demanded bluntly, throwing myself -back in my chair.</p> - -<p>The Russian statesman looked at me for a minute, -as though trying to make up his mind whether -it would be of any use to offer me a false excuse. -I prepared to listen to something about -the obligations of international honour and good -faith.</p> - -<p>‘Suppose I were to tell you that I am acting -under the confidential instructions of my own -Emperor, who lacks the courage to put his veto on -the policy of the Grand Dukes?’</p> - -<p>‘In that case your object can be attained much -more simply. Procure me a line in the handwriting -of Nicholas II. to Francis-Joseph, and I undertake<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> -to deliver it, and to burn it afterwards with my -own hand.’</p> - -<p>The Russian heaved a sigh of amused resignation.</p> - -<p>‘You are too deep for me, M. V——. Very well, -then, I will tell you.’ He bent forward and lowered -his voice. ‘Russia is not ready to strike. A war -now would mean the bankruptcy of the Empire. -The others will not believe this, but I know it. I -will not have my carefully laid plans shattered by -them, for the sake of a miserable province like -Galicia.</p> - -<p>‘I am a statesman, not a pettifogger. With my -railways I am reaching forward to clutch the great -Empires of Asia. China is already within my grasp; -India is being drawn closer year by year. When a -thousand millions of men obey the sceptre of the -Tsar, these petty European States will fall like ripe -plums into our lap.’</p> - -<p>The Russian spoke with real emotion. If I still -retained any faint misgiving, it was not enough -to restrain me from accepting the service required -of me.</p> - -<p>Within three days I found myself in the palace -of Schönbrunn.</p> - -<p>Of all my clients Francis-Joseph is the most unapproachable. -Modern ideas of democratic equality -find little encouragement in the Austrian Court.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> -After the friendly bonhomie of the German Kaiser, -and the tactful kindness of the King of England, -the Austrian sovereign’s manner affects one disagreeably: -it is like touching a lump of ice. Yet, -according to his lights, the Emperor is gracious and -even cordial, especially to those who approach him -in his private hours.</p> - -<p>I found him in his favourite room overlooking -the Park. His Majesty did not invite me to be -seated in his presence, an omission which indicated -no unfriendliness.</p> - -<p>‘I am pleased to receive you, monsieur,’ he said -in a clear, stately voice. ‘The services you have -rendered me entitle you to ask for an audience, and -I have no doubt your reason for seeking it is a -proper one. Be good enough to state it.’</p> - -<p>‘I have taken the liberty of asking for this -audience in order that I might offer your Majesty -certain information about your forthcoming abdication.’</p> - -<p>The Emperor could not repress a slight start. -Lifting his eyebrows, he gazed at me steadily in -the face.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp86" id="i_198" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_198.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“The Emperor could not repress a slight start.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>‘I have communicated my <em>desire</em> to abdicate,’ he -said with a significant intonation, ‘to six persons -only. Two of them are brother sovereigns; two are -members of my own family; the other two are the -Chancellor of the Empire and the Prime Minister of -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>Hungary. Through which of them did you receive -your information?’</p> - -<p>‘Not one of the persons in your Majesty’s confidence -has the slightest idea that I have heard -anything whatever on the subject. I must respectfully -beg your Majesty not to press me further.’</p> - -<p>The aged Emperor was evidently much disturbed.</p> - -<p>‘If what you say is true—and I do not doubt -your word—the information must have reached you -through an intermediary. That is to say, my purpose -is known to at least eight persons, in short, to the -whole world.’</p> - -<p>I held my tongue. It is the art by which I have -learned most of my secrets.</p> - -<p>After a few minutes’ silent consideration, during -which the frown on his face steadily deepened, his -Majesty looked at me again.</p> - -<p>‘What do you wish to tell me?’</p> - -<p>‘I wish to put your Majesty on your guard.’</p> - -<p>‘You have done that already, most effectually,’ he -interrupted.</p> - -<p>‘I have come to beg you to distrust the assurances -you have received, no matter from what quarter, that -your Majesty’s abdication will pass off quietly. And -if I should be so fortunate as to possess your confidence, -I would further request your Majesty to -employ me on the service of ascertaining what the -intentions of your neighbours really are.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span></p> - -<p>The Emperor perceived that I was keeping something -back.</p> - -<p>‘In what directions do your suspicions point?’ he -inquired sternly.</p> - -<p>‘Chiefly to Russia,’ I answered with intentional -vagueness.</p> - -<p>‘You are mistaken, I believe. You cannot know -the nature of the assurances I have received. Besides, -I am well acquainted with the position of Russia. M. -Witte is the man who counts in the Russian Government, -and he is all for peace. He needs time to -develop his plans. The country is nearly insolvent. -However much the war party may desire to make a -snatch at Galicia, they will not be allowed to do so.’</p> - -<p>‘Will your Majesty pardon me if I venture to make -a proposition? I will undertake to ascertain the -actual state of things at my own risk. If I am able -to report that my suspicions are unfounded, your -Majesty shall make me no acknowledgment whatever.’</p> - -<p>Francis-Joseph threw me a displeased look.</p> - -<p>‘I regret that you should have permitted yourself to -speak to me in that way, monsieur. Be good enough -to remember who I am. I do not employ servants -without paying them. Your former services give -you a claim to consideration; your position and -character entitle you to be treated seriously; and -I am not going to reject your present request. You<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span> -may consider yourself retained to make this investigation. -Have you anything else to say?’</p> - -<p>This acceptance of my offer, glacial though it -was, consoled me for the rebuke by which it was -accompanied. Nevertheless, as I left the Emperor’s -presence, I regretted that he had not been more -frank with me. It was no doubt my own reticence -which provoked this corresponding reserve on his -Majesty’s part. But the result might have been -unfortunate.</p> - -<p>It will be noticed particularly that although the -Emperor had practically admitted that it was his -intention to vacate the throne, he had refrained from -giving me the smallest hint as to the <em>date</em> of the -abdication.</p> - -<p>I took my way towards the Galician frontier in -the character of a British tourist, armed with a sheaf -of the coupons of Messrs. Cook. I was aware that -this disguise would serve better than any other as -a cloak for prying and impertinent questioning.</p> - -<p>Galicia, I need hardly say, is that part of Poland -which fell to the share of Austria in the famous -partition of the eighteenth century. Bitterly as the -Poles hate the Russians, the two peoples are allied in -language and blood, and Russia has always looked -forward to incorporating the whole of the ancient -realm of the Jagellons in her own dominions in -course of time. The break-up of the Dual Monarchy<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> -would naturally be the signal for Russia to execute -her designs on the Polish province of the Habsburgs.</p> - -<p>In Galicia itself I found everything in a state of -the most profound peace and security. There was -the usual frontier garrison, but the camps showed no -signs of special activity. I toured along the frontier -almost from end to end, in a motor which I had -ordered from Paris, and I came upon great stretches -of country, several miles in extent, where a whole -Russian army corps could have crossed the line -without being observed, far less opposed.</p> - -<p>At the end of this inspection, which lasted about a -week, I crossed over to the Russian side.</p> - -<p>I found myself received without apparent distrust. -The legend of the mad Englishman on his motor-car -had no doubt preceded me. The Russians do not -dislike Englishmen, as individuals, in the way they -dislike Germans. At all events I had no difficulty in -making friends with many of the officers in command -of frontier posts. They offered me hospitality, and -showed no resentment at my somewhat daring exploration -of their frontier.</p> - -<p>At the first blush, everything seemed as peaceful -on this side as on the other. The number of troops -under arms was not excessive, and the men showed -none of those signs of suppressed excitement which -warn an experienced eye that some movement is in -contemplation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span></p> - -<p>Presently, however, I began to remark an extraordinary -number of telegraphic despatches arriving -at the various posts. Special messengers seemed to -come and go with a frequency that hardly seemed -necessary in time of peace. At last, one night, I -was roused from sleep by a sound which my ears -were quick to recognise. It was the muffled rumble -of an artillery train passing over the rough paving-stones -of the small town in which I had stopped for -the night.</p> - -<p>I got up, softly drew back the curtain of the -window, and cautiously peeped out. There, in the -moonlight, rolled by gun after gun, followed by -the caissons and all the supplementary outfit of a -park of artillery.</p> - -<p>They were heading southward, and the frontier -lay only three miles away. I counted six batteries—thirty-six -guns—the equipment of an army corps. -When all had gone by I retired to rest again.</p> - -<p>I rose at break of day, took out my car, and -followed in the route of the cannon. The road -conducted me without a turning straight to the -frontier post, where I found a sleepy Russian sentry -exchanging friendly greetings with a still drowsier -Austrian one. A short way beyond stood the -Austrian guard-house, with the men lounging on a -bench outside the door in the sunlight, waiting for -their coffee.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span></p> - -<p>Everything was as if my vision of the night before -had been a dream.</p> - -<p>I turned my car round, and drove back slowly, -scrutinising every hedge and tree along both sides of -the road. Less than a mile from the post my attention -was caught by a place on the left hand side, -where the hedge appeared to have been mended or -replanted. I ought to explain that the road was -bordered at this point by a thick wood apparently -impenetrable to anything bigger than a stoat.</p> - -<p>I stopped the car, got down, and approached the -hedge, examining every inch of the ground.</p> - -<p>The first discovery I made was that the road itself -had been recently mended. Creases in the surface, -like the ruts made by heavy wheels in turning, had -been filled up, and the dust from other parts of the -road carefully raked over the spot.</p> - -<p>Then, looking closely at the hedge, I perceived -that the bushes were no longer growing in their -place. The entire hedge had been cut away level -with the ground for a space of several yards, -and then replaced, the matted bushes being wired -together so as to form a sort of gate or hurdle, like -the furze hurdles in common use in England and -other countries. The leaves were already beginning -to droop from want of the nourishment supplied by -the roots.</p> - -<p>I drew up my car close to the hedge, and, mounting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> -upon it, managed to scramble over into the wood, -at the cost of some scratches.</p> - -<p>I found myself in the midst of a pile of brush-wood -which extended for some paces, completely -covering the soil from view. Immediately beyond -came a gap in the trees, not in front, but at one -side, so that it was quite invisible from the road. -Turning sharply towards the frontier, and running -almost parallel with the high road, was a grassy -drive or lane, about ten feet wide, and sufficiently -free from undergrowth to admit the passage of an -army.</p> - -<p>With my heart thumping against my ribs, and -almost holding my breath in my excitement, I stole -along this path, which revealed, by a hundred -tokens, that it had recently been used for heavy -traffic. I followed its windings for I should think a -mile and a half, when I found myself brought up -abruptly by a post and rail fence, the posts being -painted yellow on the side which faced me, and black -on the reverse.</p> - -<p>This fence was the boundary between the two -empires. A narrow footpath bordered it on each -side, so that the patrol might pass along it each day -on his rounds.</p> - -<p>As for the artillery, it seemed to have disappeared, -to have been swallowed up by the earth.</p> - -<p>I looked round me in all directions. The woodland<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> -road by which I had reached the frontier -stretched away on the other side of the fence. This -was in itself a suspicious sign. It scarcely seemed -likely that two independent drives would have been -constructed so as to meet in the heart of the forest, -unless there was some traffic meant to pass that -way. All at once the explanation burst upon me. -It was a smuggler’s route!</p> - -<p>The high tariffs of the Russian and Austrian -empires have fostered an important contraband -traffic. The soldiers who patrol the frontier are -easily bribed by a share in the gains of the smugglers. -What the Russian War Office had done was to bribe -the smugglers in their turn to act as its allies in this -strange invasion.</p> - -<p>I have used the word invasion. Unless my -deductions were wholly false, the thirty-six guns -which I had seen passing my window in the night -were by this time actually planted on the soil of -Austria.</p> - -<p>I sprang over the fence, and hurried forward on -the still clearly revealed track.</p> - -<p>At the end of an hour from my first entrance into -the forest, my ear caught a low murmur which -warned me that I was drawing near to some kind of -encampment. Striking from the lane into the wood, -I advanced, creeping from tree to tree. But I have -had few opportunities of learning woodcraft, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> -there were keener ears, and more stealthy footsteps -than mine in the forest. Suddenly I felt a powerful -hand gripping my throat, a dark cloth descended -over my eyes, and I was thrown violently to the -ground.</p> - -<p>I did not lose consciousness, while I was lifted up -by the feet and shoulders, and carried a distance -which I calculated at two hundred paces. After -some twisting and turning I was set down, and the -cloth was taken off my head. I sat up and looked -round.</p> - -<p>I found myself in a small hut or wigwam of -boughs and woven rushes, surrounded by half a -dozen dark-faced men who squatted between me -and the doorway, the only opening by which light -was admitted. One glance at my captors satisfied -me that they were neither soldiers nor Russians. -Reassured on this point I prepared to defend myself -boldly.</p> - -<p>The head man of the party appeared to be an old -fellow with a short grey beard, who might have -passed equally well in the uncertain light for a -Wallach, a Slovene, a gipsy, or a Jew, but certainly -not for an honest man of any race. Addressing myself -to the chief of the smugglers, as I conceived him -to be, in Polish, I asked—</p> - -<p>‘Why have you dared to treat me like this?’</p> - -<p>‘He is a Pole!’ The muttered exclamation<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> -solved my doubt as to the race of the smugglers. -The language they used between themselves was -Romany.</p> - -<p>‘What were you doing in our wood?’ the old -gipsy asked threateningly.</p> - -<p>Before I had time to reply, the old man’s eye -suddenly lighted up. He took a step towards me, -uttered an amazed ejaculation, and then, before I -knew what was happening, fell on his knees before -me, and, seizing my right hand, respectfully kissed -a ring on the little finger. At the same time the -other members of the party crowded round, evidently -impatient to follow his example.</p> - -<p>The ring which excited this extraordinary demonstration -was one which I had worn so long that I -had forgotten all about it. It had been given me -seventeen years before, in Baghdad, by an old -woman I had saved from the bastinado at the hands -of a savage Pasha.</p> - -<p>She was a gipsy, I now remembered; she had -forced the ring upon me against my will, and had -urged me never to take it off night or day, assuring -me in the most solemn manner that it would one day -be the means of saving my life. This prophecy, -which I had laughed at as a vain boast and quickly -forgotten, was coming true at last.</p> - -<p>Blessing the old lady with all my heart, and inwardly -apologising to her for my past scepticism, I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> -put on the air of one who was accustomed to, and -expected, the homage he was receiving.</p> - -<p>‘That will do, my friends,’ I said, when each man -had saluted the magic ring in turn—it was engraved -with a pentagram. ‘Now, if I give you some money, -how long will it take you to procure some bottles of -good wine?’</p> - -<p>A grunt of pleasure welcomed this inquiry. I -heard a word which sounded like canteen. Then -one of the men rose, in obedience to a nod from the -chief.</p> - -<p>‘Cheni will fetch it in five minutes,’ said the old -man.</p> - -<p>I placed a double handful of gold in his outstretched -palms. A perfect salvo of approving cries -greeted this munificence.</p> - -<p>While we were waiting for the wine to appear I -offered an account of myself which appeared to be -quite satisfactory. I said I was a Pole, of gipsy -descent through my mother, that I was engaged in -a plot to bring about a general rising in the event of -war between Austria and Russia, and that I was -specially engaged to secure the support of the -numerous gipsies along the frontier, who were to -watch the movements of the two great belligerents -on our behalf, a service for which they would be -handsomely paid.</p> - -<p>The arrival of six bottles of first-rate Tokay gave<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> -all the confirmation to my words that was required. -As the wine vanished down their throats, the gipsies -laid aside all reserve, and freely imparted to me -what information they possessed.</p> - -<p>They told me, in the first place, that the six -batteries I was tracing were within a few yards -of us, skilfully hidden among the trees. Their -arrival brought the force designed for the occupation -of Galicia up to a total strength of eighty -thousand men and seventy-two guns, all of whom -had been secretly brought across the frontier at -different points during the last few days, and were -now ready to move in concert as soon as the -signal was given, and overrun the unprepared -province.</p> - -<p>Vast convoys of provisions were being held in -readiness on the Russian side of the frontier, and -a second army of one hundred and twenty thousand -men was to be secretly mobilised in and around -Warsaw, ready to come to the support of the first, -in the event of serious resistance on the part of the -Austrian Government.</p> - -<p>This last item rested on hearsay, but the presence -of two army corps on Galician soil was a fact for -which my informants were able to vouch from their -own observation. The fact was known to every -smuggler along the Galician frontier, and yet, so -profuse were the bribes they had received, and so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> -perfect was their secrecy, that not the slightest hint -had been suffered to reach any official of the Austrian -Government.</p> - -<p>I spent some hours of the most agonising suspense -I have ever known, in the company of these drunken -outlaws, before I dared to risk an effort to get away. -Their suspicions, or rather their natural distrustfulness, -caused them to raise all sorts of objections to -my departure. It was only by swearing on the sacred -pentagram that no hair of their heads should ever -be imperilled by any action of mine, that I was able -to tear myself away.</p> - -<p>When I got out on to the high road again, at -the spot where I had left my motor, I found, as I -had feared, that it was no longer there. I turned at -haphazard in the direction of the frontier post. As -soon as I came in sight of the Russian guard-house, -I saw, to my delight, my car standing on the road -in the front of the door, with a group of interested -soldiers curiously inspecting every part of it.</p> - -<p>Now the car happened to be a Panhard, of the -most powerful construction yet turned out by the -famous French firm.</p> - -<p>I strolled up carelessly, greeted the astonished -soldiers in broken Russian, and asked them if they -were familiar with the machine. The lieutenant of -the post, a man in education and intelligence below -the level of an English sergeant, bustled out and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> -began questioning me, with the evident intention -of ordering my arrest.</p> - -<p>I handed him my passport to read, a process which -takes some time with an illiterate Russian officer, -and went on explaining the mechanism of the car -to the inquisitive soldiers. Finally I came to the -driving power.</p> - -<p>‘And now, my friends,’ I said, ‘I will show you -how the car is propelled. Stand back clear of the -wheels, if you please. You see this lever. I place -my hand on it so——’</p> - -<p>‘Stay!’ shouted the officer, divining the danger in -this demonstration.</p> - -<p>He spoke too late. As my hand grasped the -lever, I vaulted into the car, and before the excited -soldiers realised that it was under way, the Panhard -was tearing towards the boundary line at the rate of -twenty-five miles an hour.</p> - -<p>The Russian sentry ran out into the middle of the -road to stop me. He was a poor peasant, perhaps -from the banks of the Volga, who must have thought -that the Evil One himself was upon him. I saw his -face blanch, and almost heard the chattering of his -teeth, but he did not flinch from his duty. I rode -right over him, and I am sorry to say that I believe -he was killed.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp50" id="i_212" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_212.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“I rode right over him.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>The Austrian sentry simply fired off his gun as -a warning to his comrades at the guard-house further -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>along the road. They swarmed out, and I pulled up -the machine. I had put the brake on immediately -after crossing into Austrian territory.</p> - -<p>‘In the Emperor’s name!’ I whispered to the -Austrian officer of the guard. ‘I am not an Englishman, -but a member of the Austrian Secret Service. -By allowing me to pass without delay you will render -the Government a vital service.’</p> - -<p>‘You have just killed a man,’ the officer objected, -pointing to the blood on my wheels.</p> - -<p>‘I am afraid so. The fact that I killed a Russian -sentry in order to cross the frontier should convince -you that I am in deadly earnest.’</p> - -<p>The officer, by some rare chance, was intelligent -enough to believe me.</p> - -<p>‘Pass on, sir,’ he said.</p> - -<p>I pressed the lever, and set out on my mad race -across an Empire to Vienna. I had nothing to eat -or drink. I had no shields for my eyes; the Russian -soldiers must have removed them while the car was -in their hands. I was utterly unprepared for my -terrible journey. But some intuition warned me -that every moment was precious, and I kept my -splendid machine at full pressure for the whole five -hundred miles.</p> - -<p>I will not attempt to describe that nightmare ride. -Late in the evening of the following day, I alighted -at the gate of the palace of Schönbrunn, worn-out,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> -my face and hands chapped and bleeding, my eyes -half-blinded with dust, and my strength nearly -gone.</p> - -<p>‘The Emperor! Take me to the Emperor!’ I -gasped to the first person I met. ‘It is life or -death!’</p> - -<p>I was conducted into the presence of a chamberlain, -who sought to impose all sorts of obstacles.</p> - -<p>‘You cannot see his Majesty now. I dare not -intrude upon him. He is closeted with the Archdukes. -It is a Habsburg Family Council.’</p> - -<p>‘My God!’ I cried out. ‘You have given me ten -thousand reasons for insisting! If it costs my life, -I must interrupt his Majesty.’</p> - -<p>My violence cowed the official. He conducted -me, or, in fact, supported me, for I was almost -too weak to stand, to the door of the Council -Chamber.</p> - -<p>‘Go in, if you must,’ he said. ‘For my part, I -dare not announce you.’</p> - -<p>I turned the handle of the door, and staggered -into the room.</p> - -<p>The spectacle which met my eyes was dazzling. -In a blaze of light all the Archdukes of the Imperial -House, wearing their uniforms and robes of State, -were grouped in a semicircle, facing a throne on -which the representative of the Cæsars was seated in -his Imperial mantle, wearing the great Double Eagle<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span> -Crown of Austria. Before him, on a footstool, knelt -a handsome lad of fifteen, in whom I had no difficulty -in recognising the Archduke Karl, the destined -successor to the throne.</p> - -<p>At the moment I burst in I saw the venerable -Emperor raise his hands to his head, lift up the -Imperial Crown, in which the huge diamonds and -rubies and sapphires sparkled like founts of fire, -and hold it poised in the air over his young kinsman’s -bent head. In another second it would have -rested on the boy’s brow, and Francis-Joseph would -have ceased to reign.</p> - -<p>‘Pardon!’</p> - -<p>My voice rang out like the hoarse scream of a -drunkard. I tottered forward and fell on my knees, -while the Emperor half rose from his throne, still -grasping the great crown in both hands.</p> - -<p>‘Pardon, sire! At this hour a Russian army of -eighty thousand men is encamped upon the soil -of Austria!’</p> - -<p>Francis-Joseph sank back on his seat, and -mechanically replaced the diadem on his own head.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The explanations which followed between the -two Governments were not communicated to me. -But I learned through my friends the gipsies that -the discovery of the motor, and my subsequent flight -gave the alarm to the Russian War Office. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> -invading force retired as stealthily as it had come, -and all vestiges of its having crossed the frontier -were so speedily and skilfully effaced that if Count -Lamsdorff fell back on a denial of the truth, it is -probable that the Austrian Government found itself -unable to press the charge.</p> - -<p>So the evil day has been postponed; for, as long -as Francis-Joseph reigns over the Dual Monarchy, -Russia will be content to bide her time.</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile I have been informed that a -warrant has been issued against me, in the Russian -courts, for the murder of the sentry whose fate I -have described.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="IX">IX<br /> - -<span class="fs80">THE DEATH OF QUEEN DRAGA</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">It is with painful feelings, and only after long consideration, -that I have resolved to lift the veil from -the tragic mystery which surrounds the fate of the -Queen who perished under the knives of assassins -in Belgrade in the month of June 1903.</p> - -<p>The hesitation I have felt in approaching this -melancholy story is due to reasons of a personal -character. Many years before, when the late Queen -of Servia occupied a private station, it was my lot to -meet her, and to fall under the spell of that fascination -which this extraordinary woman possessed over -men, and which will cause her to be remembered -in history with Helen and Cleopatra, and all those -enchantresses who have involved kingdoms in ruin -by their charms.</p> - -<p>I had no right to suppose that the Countess, as -she then was, distinguished me from the crowd of -those who paid homage to her; but yet it seems as -though I had in some manner inspired her with a -feeling of confidence and regard warmer than that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> -usually felt by any woman for a man who is neither -her lover nor her kinsman.</p> - -<p>I believe myself to be the only survivor of the -tragedy who possesses the key to that strange and -terrible career, and that in imparting my knowledge -to the world I am discharging what has become a -sacred duty to the dead.</p> - -<p>With this apology I will come straight to the -history.</p> - -<p>It was some years since I had seen or heard -anything of the Countess Draga, though, of course, -I was aware, in common with all well-informed -students of contemporary politics, of the passion -which she had inspired in the young King of -Servia, when I was astonished by receiving one day -a private letter from her, imploring me to come to -Belgrade at once to advise her on a matter of the -highest importance.</p> - -<p>I lost no time in obeying the summons, by which -I was singularly moved, since there is only one -thing which can ever be of the highest importance -to a woman.</p> - -<p>It was in the courtyard garden of an old stonewalled -Servian house—more like a fortified farmhouse -than a private mansion—that the revelation -burst on my ears which was so soon to startle the -capitals of Europe.</p> - -<p>A fountain plashed into a marble basin strewn<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> -with rose leaves, and the faint scent of myrtle and -lemon blossom came from the curtain of shrubs -which screened the gateway in the thick grey wall. -The beautiful woman whose name was the object of -maledictions throughout a continent, reclined on a -low couch heaped with Oriental cushions, and fixed -her dark eyes on me with a tragic intensity of -appeal, as she confessed her secret.</p> - -<p>‘I need the advice of a disinterested friend, one -who stands apart from the intrigues which centre -round the Servian throne.’</p> - -<p>I sat upright on the French chair provided for -me, and gazed down at her, outwardly calm and -stern as ever, but gripping the throttle of emotions -whose strength none can know but myself.</p> - -<p>‘My advice will be disinterested in one sense,’ I -answered slowly. ‘I care nothing for the plots and -conspiracies which, under the name of politics, serve -as a substitute for the old brigandage of the Balkans. -But I am interested in your happiness.’</p> - -<p>The Countess Draga let her eyelids fall for a -moment as a quick spasm of pain crossed her -face.</p> - -<p>‘Do not let us speak of my happiness,’ she said in -low tones. ‘It is of Alexander I must think.’</p> - -<p>I folded my arms across my chest, and said -nothing.</p> - -<p>‘He has asked me to be his Consort.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span></p> - -<p>I did not succeed in quite concealing the astonishment -with which I heard this piece of news, as yet -unsuspected by Europe, and for which my friend -Baron Rothschild would gladly have paid 1,000,000 -francs.</p> - -<p>‘I refused him,’ the Countess added; ‘I have -refused him not once but twice, but he persists.’</p> - -<p>‘Kings ought to marry kings’ children,’ I observed, -as she seemed to wait for some expression of opinion -from me.</p> - -<p>‘Add that boys ought to marry girls and not grown -women, and you will say what the world will say as -soon as it hears of this,’ she returned, with some -bitterness. ‘That is what I have told Alexander; -and he has sworn upon the crucifix in my presence -that he will marry only me.’</p> - -<p>‘Leave Servia. Spend a year on the Riviera—or -in Paris’—she glanced swiftly at me as I said this—‘and -he may change his resolution.’</p> - -<p>The Servian’s reply startled me.</p> - -<p>‘I cannot. At this moment I am under secret -arrest.’</p> - -<p>‘Under arrest?’</p> - -<p>‘You forget that Alexander has made himself -master, and that reasons of State cover a great deal -in Servia which they would not cover in France.’</p> - -<p>I was staggered. A stranger situation I had never -encountered in all my strange experience.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span></p> - -<p>‘He holds you a prisoner till you consent to -become his Queen!’</p> - -<p>‘Till I become his Queen,’ she corrected.</p> - -<p>I sat still for a minute, considering. The chancelleries -and the public of Europe would never believe -this story. They would think, they were already -thinking and saying, that the Countess was an -adventuress, luring the young King to his ruin.</p> - -<p>‘There is one very simple solution,’ I said at last. -‘I will arrange your escape.’</p> - -<p>‘Impossible!’ she sighed.</p> - -<p>I frowned.</p> - -<p>‘Pardon me, my dear Countess, but when you did -me the honour to consult me, I assumed that you -had some confidence in my ability. I offer to take -you wherever you wish to go.’</p> - -<p>‘You misunderstand me, my dear friend. I do -not doubt your power to release me. But my flight -would become a public event; Alexander has too -little self-restraint to keep silence about it. I should -thus damage him as much as by accepting the -throne which he offers me. He has sworn, moreover, -that if I persist in my refusal, he will abdicate.’</p> - -<p>With what sophistries will a woman deceive herself -where her heart is concerned! And how worse -than useless is it to reason with her.</p> - -<p>‘You have told me enough,’ I answered, in a voice -which was melancholy in spite of myself. ‘I perceive<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> -that this young monarch is not indifferent to -you.’</p> - -<p>The lovely Servian lowered her glance, and began -picking a rose to pieces with her delicate fingers.</p> - -<p>‘He is my King,’ she murmured. ‘He is the last -of the dynasty of Obrenovitch, which my family have -served faithfully for a hundred years. The one thing -which alarms me most in the whole situation is that -I have been urged to accept the King’s hand by -Colonel Masileff.’</p> - -<p>‘Colonel Masileff?’</p> - -<p>‘Who is understood to be the secret head of the -party in favour of Prince Peter Karageorgevitch.’</p> - -<p>I now understood the seriousness of the affair, -since it was clear that whatever step was favoured -by the supporters of the Karageorgevitch claimant -must be fraught with some danger to the Obrenovitch.</p> - -<p>‘Is Alexander aware of this fact?’</p> - -<p>‘I have told him, but he considers it an excuse on -my part. Perhaps, if you were to warn him, he -might listen to you.’</p> - -<p>I did not much relish the task of forcing my -advice on a headstrong youth, intoxicated with love -and sovereignty. In the end I decided to return -from Belgrade through Switzerland and take an -opportunity of finding out something about Alexander’s -rival for the Servian crown.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span></p> - -<p>But the ways of women are proverbially difficult -to calculate.</p> - -<p>While I was still lingering in Belgrade, on the -look-out for some useful introduction to Prince Peter, -the world was startled by the public announcement -of the forthcoming marriage of the King and the -Countess.</p> - -<p>I went at once to wait on the prospective Queen -of Servia to tender my formal congratulations. I -found her already surrounded by a throng of courtiers, -among whom I discerned the lean military -figure and vulture nose of the man whom Draga herself -had denounced to me a few days before—Colonel -Masileff.</p> - -<p>So magical is the influence of royalty that I found -myself able to detect a difference already in the -manner, and even in the very voice, of the woman -who had bared her heart to me so short a time before. -She was gracious and cordial, but it was the graciousness -and cordiality of a Sovereign to a subject, rather -than that of a beautiful woman to a man.</p> - -<p>Coming away I thrust my arm through that of the -formidable Colonel.</p> - -<p>‘Have you any commands for Geneva?’ I asked. -‘I shall be there in the course of two days.’</p> - -<p>Masileff let himself be surprised.</p> - -<p>‘But I thought you were a friend of the Countess?’ -he stammered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span></p> - -<p>‘Certainly—as you are,’ I retorted. ‘It seems to -me that the Countess is doing a very good stroke -of work for a cause in which you and I are both -interested.’</p> - -<p>Masileff glanced at me with curiosity.</p> - -<p>‘Do you know, Monsieur V——’ (I had not seen -cause to disguise my identity on this occasion), ‘that -I think you must be more fortunate than I am. -That is to say, I think you must possess the confidence -of a person who has not yet honoured me by -a sign that my services are acceptable to him.’</p> - -<p>‘Thank you, Colonel,’ I replied, bowing. ‘Your -message shall be delivered in the right quarter.’</p> - -<p>I left Belgrade the same night, and two days later -found myself in the presence of a quiet, elderly man -in a modest apartment near the famous Lake -Leman.</p> - -<p>I had sent in my card with the pencilled addition: -‘Confidential agent of the Tsar, the German Emperor, -and Monsieur Chamberlain.’</p> - -<p>I felt sure that the names of the powerful triumvirate -who, between them, controlled the destinies of -the Old World, would secure me the attention of -Prince Peter Karageorgevitch; and I was not mistaken.</p> - -<p>The Prince received me with a real or assumed -nervousness, and expressed himself anxious to receive -any message I might have for him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span></p> - -<p>‘I have no message of any importance for your -Highness,’ I replied, scrutinising carefully the careworn -features of the elderly man who sat in front of -me. ‘My only message at all is one from Colonel -Masileff, which is perhaps not worth your attention.’</p> - -<p>‘I have heard of the Colonel, and shall be pleased -to hear anything on his behalf,’ the Prince replied -cautiously.</p> - -<p>‘Colonel Masileff is a little disappointed, sir, that -your Highness has not offered him any token of your -approbation. He would welcome some sign that you -are not indifferent to your friends in Servia.’</p> - -<p>Prince Peter looked at me with a glance which, -though quiet, was not less searching than my -own.</p> - -<p>‘I thank you, Monsieur V——. Is that all?’</p> - -<p>‘It is the whole of the message, sir.’</p> - -<p>‘Again, thank you.’</p> - -<p>‘Your Highness does not wish to make me the -medium of your answer, perhaps?’ I hinted.</p> - -<p>‘There is no answer.’</p> - -<p>I perceived that I was dealing with a man of no -ordinary penetration and shrewdness. With such -men it is always best to come straight to the point -and to be frank.</p> - -<p>‘And now, sir, for the real object of my visit. I -need not tell your Highness that I did not come to -Geneva to oblige Colonel Masileff.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span></p> - -<p>‘That is already quite clear,’ the Prince commented -drily.</p> - -<p>A remark from which I inferred that it was in the -power of Masileff to have given me credentials which -would have secured me a very different reception.</p> - -<p>‘I have come here, then, to beg for the life of a -woman.’</p> - -<p>Karageorgevitch started slightly, and began for -the first time to look uneasy.</p> - -<p>‘I thought you said you had no important message,’ -he reminded me.</p> - -<p>‘I have none. The woman I speak of is totally -ignorant of the step I take in coming here.’</p> - -<p>‘Then your interest in the matter is——?’</p> - -<p>‘Is personal merely. I make it my private prayer -to your Highness that, in a certain event which no -longer seems improbable, the life of this woman shall -be spared.’</p> - -<p>Prince Peter gave an imperceptible shrug, a shrug -which said very plainly, nevertheless, ‘I have no -motive for obliging you.’</p> - -<p>Aloud his Highness remarked—</p> - -<p>‘I am strongly opposed to all bloodshed, Monsieur -V——. I feel sure there is no reality in the danger -you foresee, or I should be as earnest as yourself in -wishing to prevent it.’</p> - -<p>‘I can say no more, sir; I am here, as I have said, -merely in my private capacity. Still, I happen to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> -have rendered important services to some very powerful -personages’ (the Prince glanced at the names I -had inscribed on my card), ‘and, without being a -blackmailer, I feel confident that if I appealed to -those personages for their influence on behalf of a -righteous and honourable cause, I should not be -refused.’</p> - -<p>Prince Peter rose to his feet, and walked twice up -and down the room before replying.</p> - -<p>‘It is evident to me,’ he said at length, ‘that you -have a strong personal interest in the new Queen of -Servia, and that you are a man who is to be trusted. -That being so, I will explain to you frankly my position. -I have friends in Servia who desire to see the -restoration of my dynasty, and derive much confidence -from the misconduct of this youth in whom -the Obrenovitch line terminates.</p> - -<p>‘Their reports reach me regularly, and I am therefore -able to anticipate their plans to some extent. -But I have resolved that if I am ever to seat myself on -the Servian throne, I must keep my hands clean. -For that reason I have never committed myself by -approving any of the measures contemplated on my -behalf.</p> - -<p>‘If Masileff really told you he never heard from -me, he told you the actual truth. I have never yet -returned any answer to any of the communications I -receive almost weekly from Belgrade. To that rule<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> -I must adhere. All I can promise you is this, that -if hereafter I receive any information which convinces -me that the life of the Countess Draga is in danger, -I will at once break silence, and send a peremptory -order to my friends that she is to be allowed to leave -the country in safety.’</p> - -<p>I thanked the Servian prince for this pledge, which -was all I had any right to expect. The claimant to -a Crown could hardly be asked to veto all attempts -on his behalf on the mere chance that some of them -might endanger the lives of the reigning family.</p> - -<p>I returned to Paris, and sought to distract myself -in my work from brooding over the tragedy -which seemed to be shaping itself in the Servian -capital.</p> - -<p>As we had both foreseen, Queen Draga incurred -the obloquy of the world by marrying Alexander. -Her reputation was sacrificed to his, and I believe -that she deliberately posed as the instigator of all -his violent and injudicious measures, in the hope -of acting, so to speak, as a conductor of the popular -wrath, and thereby saving her husband.</p> - -<p>Had she been able at the same time to wean -Alexander from his wild passion for herself, he and -his dynasty might have been preserved. It is the -charitable view to take that the young King was not -fully responsible for his acts at this time. The -distressing circumstances of his bringing-up, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> -fatal inheritance of his father’s example and influence, -render it impossible to regard Alexander Obrenovitch -as a normal young man.</p> - -<p>The long period of suspense which I passed -through, while watching from Paris over the safety -of the Queen of Servia, was at last put an end -to by a cypher telegram from the agent whom I -had stationed in Belgrade unknown even to Draga -herself.</p> - -<p>‘<em>Death of King fixed for next week. Queen must -be persuaded to fly at once.</em>’</p> - -<p>The despatch reached me just half an hour before -the departure of the Oriental express, into which -I flung myself panting as it began to glide out of -the station.</p> - -<p>My agent, warned from Vienna, met me as I -alighted in Belgrade.</p> - -<p>The pallor of his countenance told me that he -had bad news to communicate.</p> - -<p>‘The worst—instantly!’ I exclaimed, in Polish, -a language I have taught to all the most trusted -members of my staff.</p> - -<p>‘Nothing has happened,’ he stammered out. ‘But -I tried to give a hint to the Queen; she has passed -it on to her husband. The conspirators have learned -that suspicion has been aroused in the Palace; -and——’</p> - -<p>‘And what?’ I seized him by the wrist.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span></p> - -<p>‘The assassination is to be carried out to-night, -instead of next week.’</p> - -<p>‘To-night!’</p> - -<p>Exhausted as I was by the long journey, this news -almost broke me down. I had to lean against my -agent for support.</p> - -<p>The poor wretch, conscious that he had blundered -disastrously, dared not meet my eye, and I felt him -trembling.</p> - -<p>It is my maxim never to be angry with an -employee except for bad faith. If an agent of -mine blunders or breaks down I consider the fault -is mine for having intrusted him with a task beyond -his powers. Besides, there are no perfect -instruments. In my own career I have made two -mistakes.</p> - -<p>Therefore I assured the unfortunate man that all -was well, since Queen Draga was yet alive. We -went together to the house in which my agent had -been residing for some time in the character of -correspondent of the Havas Agency. There I -assumed the Servian dress which he had had the -forethought to prepare for me, and, disguised as a -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">sous-officier</i>, I set off for the Palace.</p> - -<p>My military uniform naturally inspired confidence -in the sentries, those in the plot no doubt supposing -that I was so, also.</p> - -<p>I made my way round to a side entrance, suitable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> -to my apparent station, and there, by my agent’s -advice, asked to see Anna Petrovitch, the waiting-maid -who had shared the Queen’s fortunes for many -years.</p> - -<p>I was admitted without any demur, and presently -Anna herself appeared. She took me apart into a -small chamber apparently used by the upper servants -of the Palace, and asked me what I wanted.</p> - -<p>‘I must see the Queen immediately, in private,’ -I answered.</p> - -<p>‘You cannot do that. Her Majesty is just sitting -down to dinner. What is your name; and what -do you want to see her about?’</p> - -<p>‘My name does not matter. I come as a friend, -and I bring her Majesty a message from one who -wishes her well.’</p> - -<p>I knew that if this woman were really in Draga’s -confidence these words would not fall unheeded.</p> - -<p>‘Cannot you tell me something more? I will try -to get you an audience as soon as dinner is over, -provided I am sure that you are a friend.’</p> - -<p>‘Listen!’ I bent forward and whispered in her -ear. ‘Have you ever heard the Queen mention a -certain Monsieur V——?’</p> - -<p>The woman gave a start of joy, impossible to be -feigned.</p> - -<p>‘You come from him?’</p> - -<p>I bowed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span></p> - -<p>‘Then I will endeavour to let the Queen know at -once. In the meantime, follow me.’</p> - -<p>Anna conducted me up one of the back staircases -of the Palace and along a corridor, till we arrived -at a door, which she unlocked with a key taken out -of her pocket.</p> - -<p>I found myself in a small bedroom, humbly, but -comfortably furnished.</p> - -<p>‘This is my own room. The Queen’s boudoir is -reached through that door,’ she explained, pointing -to it. ‘Wait here, and excuse me if I take the -precaution of locking you in.’</p> - -<p>‘Stay,’ I said sharply. ‘In situations like this I -trust no one. Give me the key, and I will lock -myself in, and open to your knock.’</p> - -<p>The servant made no objection, and a signal was -arranged between us; after which she stole away, -leaving me there in the gathering dusk, with the -fate of a kingdom trembling in the balance.</p> - -<p>Of my feelings during the next half hour it would -be useless to speak. Murder, red-armed and tiger-eyed, -was whetting its knife against the bosom of -the woman whom I would gladly have died to save. -And I could do nothing but stand there and gaze -furtively through the window for the first sign of -the approaching cyclone.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp53" id="i_232" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_232.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“I took out my loaded revolver, cocked it and advanced to the -threshold.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>At the end of thirty eternal minutes the expected -knock came at the outer door. I took out my -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span>loaded revolver, cocked it, and advanced to the -threshold.</p> - -<p>‘Who is there?’</p> - -<p>‘The Queen’s friend,’ came the expected answer.</p> - -<p>I unlocked the door, opened it just widely enough -to admit the waiting-maid, and promptly shut and -locked it again.</p> - -<p>‘The Queen knows you are here, but she dares not -leave the table for another half hour. At the end -of that time she will be in her boudoir, and will -admit us.’</p> - -<p>I took out my watch, and cursed each dilatory hand.</p> - -<p>‘Is the danger so pressing, then?’ asked the -frightened woman.</p> - -<p>‘I do not know how pressing it is,’ I answered -gloomily. ‘I cannot even be sure that Queen Draga -will be suffered to leave that table alive.’</p> - -<p>‘Oh, you are mistaken there!’ Anna exclaimed. -‘My mistress is safe. She has had a private assurance -that she will be allowed to flee.’</p> - -<p>‘Has she fled?’ I retorted. I thought I knew -Draga better than her servant did.</p> - -<p>Silence followed. The knowledge that Prince -Peter had evidently contrived to give orders on -behalf of the Queen, in the event of violence being -employed, soothed me to some extent. Nevertheless, -a sad and terrible presentiment warned me to expect -the worst.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span></p> - -<p>A low scratching on the inner door, that leading -into the Royal boudoir, told us that the victim was -still alive. A bolt was withdrawn, and the next -moment I found myself in Queen Draga’s presence.</p> - -<p>It was the same woman whom I had left a few -years ago, in the full bloom of her womanhood, -but how changed, how stricken! The harassed -brow, the hunted look in the eyes, the grey streaks -in the hair, all told me what the difference had -been between the lot of the Queen and the simple -Countess.</p> - -<p>‘You are from Monsieur ——?’ she whispered.</p> - -<p>I drew myself up. Recognition flashed in her -eyes.</p> - -<p>‘You are Andrea!’</p> - -<p>That word repaid me for everything. I went -down on one knee, and pressed her offered fingers -to my lips.</p> - -<p>It was only by the light of the moon that we -were able to see each other. Anna was moving -towards the key of the electric lamps, but the -Queen forbade her with a gesture.</p> - -<p>‘Now, tell me, what is it?’</p> - -<p>‘You must this very minute put on Anna’s dress, -and leave the Palace with me. We shall go straight -to the railway, where my agent has by this time -chartered a special train.’</p> - -<p>Draga drew back unconvinced.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span></p> - -<p>‘The assassination is fixed for next Tuesday,’ she -declared.</p> - -<p>‘It is fixed for to-night.’</p> - -<p>‘To-night? You must be mistaken.’</p> - -<p>I smiled bitterly.</p> - -<p>‘The Tsar of Russia has never said that to me, -madam.’</p> - -<p>‘But how?—when?—Your own agent told me—if -he was your agent——’</p> - -<p>I waved my hand impatiently.</p> - -<p>‘All that was true three days ago, madam. Your -Majesty told King Alexander, and the conspirators -have advanced the hour in consequence.’</p> - -<p>For the first time the heroic woman turned pale, -and began to tremble.</p> - -<p>‘At what hour to-night is it?’</p> - -<p>‘I have not ascertained. For ought I know the -assassins are at this moment surrounding the Palace. -There may be just time for you to leave.’</p> - -<p>‘But the King! Alexander! My husband!’</p> - -<p>‘I do not think there will be time for him to leave -as well,’ I said gravely.</p> - -<p>Queen Draga threw one hand across her breast -with a superb defiance.</p> - -<p>‘I do not go without my husband, sir.’</p> - -<p>I was torn between admiration and despair.</p> - -<p>‘I should have done better to remain in Paris, I -perceive,’ I said sullenly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span></p> - -<p>‘On the contrary, dear Andrea, I, who know you -so well, know that you have the heroism of soul to -save the man you hate at the prayer of the woman -you love.’</p> - -<p>I stood thunderstruck, while she crossed the room -into the adjoining bedchamber, and sounded a silver -bell.</p> - -<p>‘Inform his Majesty that I desire to see him very -particularly as soon as possible.’</p> - -<p>The servant who had answered the bell bowed -and withdrew, with startled looks, from which I -was inclined to suspect that he was in the pay of -the assassins. Fortunately, he had not been able -to see me where I stood.</p> - -<p>The Queen now began hurriedly to change her -dress for one more suitable for the emergency. -Meanwhile there was no sign that her message had -reached Alexander.</p> - -<p>‘You have been betrayed, madam,’ I observed at -last. ‘That servant was a traitor. I saw it in his -face.’</p> - -<p>Draga uttered a cry of despair.</p> - -<p>‘You, Anna, you go and bring the King here at -all costs.’</p> - -<p>Anna darted out of the room.</p> - -<p>The Queen, too terribly anxious to go on with -her own preparations for flight, paced the room like -a lioness listening for the approach of the hunters.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span></p> - -<p>Five minutes passed—ten minutes—a quarter of -a year! Then a step was heard in the adjoining -room, and the young King of Servia, his dark face -flushed with wrath, strode in.</p> - -<p>‘What is all this? Are you trying to frighten -me, Draga?’</p> - -<p>He saw me and stopped, at the same time putting -his hand to his side where his sword should have -been. The weapon was missing, perhaps by accident.</p> - -<p>‘This is our best friend, Alexander. He has come -to save us. The assassins have changed their plans, -and will be here to-night. A special train has been -got ready, and if you can leave the Palace in disguise, -all will be well.’</p> - -<p>The ascendency of a powerful intellect in the -moment of danger made itself felt. Alexander -looked about him, half-dazed, as the poor youth -well might be, by the ghastly imminence of the -peril.</p> - -<p>‘What disguise can I wear?’ he demanded, in a -choked voice.</p> - -<p>‘Change clothes with your valet,’ the Queen replied, -with feminine quickness. ‘This gentleman affirms -that he is one of the conspirators.’</p> - -<p>‘Constantine! Impossible! I do not believe it.’</p> - -<p>Draga wrung her hands.</p> - -<p>‘I cannot save him. He is obstinate!’ she sobbed.</p> - -<p>The sob conquered the stubborn narrow mind<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> -which would have resisted all argument. Alexander -darted into his dressing-room, from which the valet -was just trying to escape.</p> - -<p>Seizing the man by the throat, Alexander dealt -him a blow on the temple which deprived him of -his senses. I had followed his Majesty, and I now -stripped the valet while the King hastily undressed. -While the King was assuming the disguise thus provided -for him, I carried the insensible man into the -bedroom, and placed him between the royal sheets.</p> - -<p>At this moment the white face of Anna Petrovitch -appeared in the doorway beyond.</p> - -<p>‘They are coming! I see them outside in the -courtyard.’</p> - -<p>‘Quick, quick!’ burst from the lips of Queen -Draga, whose self-possession seemed almost unnatural. -And she pushed her husband towards the -door of his own dressing-room.</p> - -<p>‘This way?’ he exclaimed, his mind unable to -keep pace with hers.</p> - -<p>‘Yes. You are Constantine. You are in the plot, -remember. You must let them in to kill your -master, who is asleep.’</p> - -<p>I shuddered. My suspicion—for it was hardly -more—was going to be fatal to the valet.</p> - -<p>‘Go with him,’ Queen Draga added, turning to -me. ‘I am safe. I need neither protection nor -guidance. He needs both. I adjure you, Andrea!’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span></p> - -<p>Swept away by the torrent of her impetuosity, I -followed Alexander to the dressing-room.</p> - -<p>Draga herself came to the door, and closed it -softly after us.</p> - -<p>We were just in time to meet a party of a dozen -soldiers, headed by Colonel Masileff himself.</p> - -<p>Stepping past the young King, who was shaking -like a leaf, I whispered in Masileff’s ear—</p> - -<p>‘Be quiet, or you will awake him. He is lying on -the bed, drunk.’</p> - -<p>The soldiers filed in past us, not one casting so -much as a glance at our faces, shrouded by the -darkness.</p> - -<p>The moment the last man had stepped across the -threshold of the dressing-room, I took Alexander -by the arm and drew, or rather dragged, him out -into the corridor, and down the great staircase of -the Palace.</p> - -<p>We passed out unquestioned. It did not occur -to one of the men whom we found outside that -Masileff could have missed his prey.</p> - -<p>My uniform was enough to disarm suspicion, for -it was that of a regiment in which every man had -sworn on the Gospel not to let Alexander escape -alive. My agent had served me well.</p> - -<p>We found him at the station. The special train -was ready, with steam up, waiting for the signal to -place us in safety on the soil of Austria.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span></p> - -<p>I made Alexander take his seat in the meanest -compartment, while I waited outside the station for -the appearance of the two women.</p> - -<p>I waited a long time.</p> - -<p>From the town, all buried in darkness, there came -sounds of tumult and exultation, which must have -shaken the heart of the young man in the train.</p> - -<p>It was not till I had been there for nearly three-quarters -of an hour that I saw one female form -creeping feebly along the road towards the station.</p> - -<p>I darted out to meet her, and uttered an oath.</p> - -<p>Anna Petrovitch fell weeping into my arms, with -the doleful cry: ‘Queen Draga is dead! Queen -Draga is dead!’</p> - -<p>Five minutes later I had placed the desolate -creature in the train, and we were speeding on our -way to Vienna.</p> - -<p>It was in the train that I learned the few particulars -that Anna had to tell. But I had already -guessed the nature of the catastrophe.</p> - -<p>Another party of soldiers, headed by a personal -enemy of the Queen’s, had invaded the Royal suite -through the waiting-maid’s room at the instant -that Masileff and his men burst into the bedroom -where the valet was lying insensible. Whether -Draga’s life might really have been spared or not, it -is impossible to say. The heroic woman’s resolution -was instantly taken. She knew that if the valet were -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>recognised there would at once be a hue and cry, and -that the King would be pursued and probably taken; -and she resolved to give her life for her husband’s. -She cast herself on the inanimate form lying on the -bed, concealed the face in her arms, and allowed -herself to be stabbed by a dozen bayonets.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp49" id="i_240" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_240.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="captionx"><p>“Queen Draga cast herself on the inanimate form on the bed, concealed -the face in her arms, and allowed herself to be stabbed by a dozen -bayonets.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Of the savage details of the murder I dare not -trust myself to write. To those who know how -thin is the veneer of civilisation on the Southern -Slaves, how faint is the moral difference between some -of these so-called Christians and their Mohammedan -neighbours, it will not come as a surprise to learn -that when the bloodhounds desisted from their work -there was no longer any possibility of recognising -either of their victims.</p> - -<p>Of the young King, and what has become of him -since that hideous night, I intend to say no single -word. Of her who perished, let no man henceforth -say anything but good.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="X">X<br /> - -<span class="fs80">THE POLICY OF EDWARD VII.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">It is always a delicate matter for a foreigner to -write about the Sovereign of another country in -such a way as to be acceptable to his subjects. In -case I, a citizen of the United States, should unwittingly -offend any English prejudices in the following -narrative, I can only assure my readers that I am -actuated by no feeling but that of the most sincere -respect for the greatest of living Sovereigns and the -mighty people over whom he reigns.</p> - -<p>In the summer of 1902 the whole world was dismayed -by the news that the Coronation of King -Edward VII. had been postponed at the last moment, -on account of his Majesty’s grave state of health.</p> - -<p>The Governments of the Continent, ever distrustful, -and prone to credit others with their own -Machiavellian statecraft, eagerly asked themselves -if the official explanation of this event was genuine, -or whether it did not conceal some subtle political -purpose.</p> - -<p>As a result, I found myself commissioned by a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span> -certain great Power to go over to London, and ascertain -the true state of affairs.</p> - -<p>Needless to say, my inquiries enabled me in a very -short time to report to my employers that their suspicions -were groundless.</p> - -<p>In the course of the brief investigation I was -brought into personal touch with a man of high -rank, occupying a confidential position in the Royal -Household—the Marquis of Bedale. The manner in -which I carried out my delicate mission caused -Lord Bedale to compliment me highly upon my -courage and discretion, and I have every reason to -think that his lordship spoke in favourable terms of -me to his exalted master.</p> - -<p>Before I left England I was surprised and gratified -to receive a request from Lord Bedale to wait upon -him in his private apartment in Buckingham Palace, -on confidential business.<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>His lordship received me in the friendliest fashion, -and talked to me quite freely.</p> - -<p>‘Let me begin,’ he said, ‘by asking you for your -frank opinion on our Secret Service.’</p> - -<p>‘The Secret Service of Great Britain is the most -scrupulously conducted in the world,’ I replied -discreetly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span></p> - -<p>Lord Bedale gave me a queer smile.</p> - -<p>‘That means, I suppose, that it is the most inefficient?’ -he suggested.</p> - -<p>‘It is the worst paid,’ I said, by way of extenuation. -‘I have heard that the total amount voted for -this purpose by the British Parliament is only -£40,000, but that sounds incredible.’</p> - -<p>‘I am afraid it is not far from the truth,’ Lord -Bedale answered. ‘We have acted in the belief that -the British Empire was too strong to care about what -its enemies were planning.’</p> - -<p>‘I should think the Boer War must have made -you realise that such a policy was not the cheapest -in the long run,’ I ventured to remark.</p> - -<p>‘It has shown <em>me</em> so, at all events,’ he answered, -‘and possibly some others. You will not offend me -in the least, Monsieur V——, if you tell me plainly -that you consider our Intelligence Department the -weakest branch of our Foreign Service, and utterly -unworthy of an Empire with such world-wide interests -as ours.’</p> - -<p>I was obliged to admit that such was my opinion. -His lordship proceeded.</p> - -<p>‘This state of things constitutes a national danger. -In a country like ours, run on democratic lines, it -is almost hopeless to look to Parliament for any -improvement. The only remedy is for some one -who has the interests of his country at heart to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> -supplement the work of the public service by a -private intelligence department conducted at his -own expense, just as in the case of a newspaper -proprietor.’</p> - -<p>I gave the speaker a quick glance of interrogation. -I happened to be aware that the Marquis, in spite of -his high rank, was not a very wealthy man, and it -was therefore clear to me that he was not speaking -of himself.</p> - -<p>‘Such a person as you describe would, indeed, -deserve well of his country,’ was all I thought it -prudent to say.</p> - -<p>‘I shall be glad if you will consider me as the -person concerned,’ Lord Bedale said in a tone which -warned me that I was on delicate ground. ‘I have -sent for you to ask if you will accept a commission -from me to act as a Secret Service agent in the -interests of Great Britain.’</p> - -<p>I hesitated. It is my fixed rule to deal only with -principals, and I could not escape the conclusion that -Lord Bedale was merely the agent of another.</p> - -<p>‘Will you let me ask your lordship one question?’ -I said. ‘Do you offer me this commission as a private -citizen solely, or am I at liberty to infer, from your -position in the Royal Household, that you have no -concealments from the exalted personage you serve, -and that by accepting your offer I shall, in effect, -be serving his Majesty?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span></p> - -<p>The Marquis studied my face carefully before -answering.</p> - -<p>‘It seems to me that such an inference is right -and natural, and one that you are bound to make,’ -he said slowly.</p> - -<p>‘Then I shall feel highly honoured by accepting,’ I -returned, bowing.</p> - -<p>The question of terms was disposed of to our -mutual satisfaction. I came away from the Palace -filled with reverence for the monarch who, unless I -were completely deceived, had decided to contribute -out of his private purse to the defence of the great -Empire whose politicians were so neglectful of its -safety.</p> - -<p>On my return to Paris I set to work to organise -a special department for the purpose of collecting -intelligence likely to be of importance to the British -Empire.</p> - -<p>I was amused to find that several of the secret -agents in the service of the British Foreign Office -were receiving much larger salaries from the Russian -Government than from the one they were supposed -to act for. Among other similar discoveries my -agents reported to me that a certain British Vice-Consul -in the Euphrates Valley, a Greek by extraction, -had secretly taken out letters of naturalisation -as a German subject. It was on this man’s recommendation -chiefly that the British Government had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span> -been induced to give its countenance to the project -for a German railway to Baghdad.</p> - -<p>I duly forwarded this and other items to Lord -Bedale, but I could not perceive that any notice was -taken of them by the Foreign Office. Probably the -permanent staff resented the idea that they were -being checked and inspected, and determined to show -that they were not going to let even their monarch -interfere with them.</p> - -<p>But all this was merely preliminary. I was on the -eve of a discovery of so much moment that I have -often asked myself since whether, but for me, the -British Empire would be in existence to-day.</p> - -<p>Newspaper readers may recollect that not very -long ago a sharp passage of words took place between -a German Minister and an English statesman whom -I will not indicate more closely in the present excited -state of party politics. Although in appearance but a -quarrel of Ministers, it was perfectly well understood -on the Continent that the Count von Bülow was only -the mouthpiece of his Imperial master on this occasion. -Europe gasped at the spectacle of this political -thunderstorm, in which the lurking hatred of Germany -towards England was for the first time brought to the -surface, and exposed.</p> - -<p>I knew the character of both of these formidable -peoples too well to believe that the incident would -have no after effects. As by the glare of a lightning-flash,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span> -there stood revealed before me the figures of -the two great protagonists, contending together for -the mastery in a war raging over three continents.</p> - -<p>Very soon after Lord Bedale, or whoever stood -behind him, had confided the safety of Great -Britain to my care, I repaired in disguise to Berlin. -My instinct taught me that this capital was the true -storm-centre, and that from here, rather than St. -Petersburg, would be directed the designs of any -really dangerous movement against the country of -Edward VII.</p> - -<p>My first visit after my arrival was paid to the -Director of the Imperial Secret Service, my old -friend Finkelstein. I felt it would be impossible for -me to remain long in the German capital without -my presence becoming known to this astute chief of -police, and I deemed it the most prudent course -to throw him off his guard at the outset.</p> - -<p>I caused myself to be announced as Father -d’Aurignac, of the Order of the Assumptionists. -My assumed character completely imposed on Finkelstein, -and I opened the conversation by saying—</p> - -<p>‘I have come here in consequence of the persecution -of the Order now being carried on by the -French Republic. We are obliged to seek other -homes, it being impossible for us to remain in -France. A large number of houses have been -transferred to England, but my brethren and I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> -detest that country so much that we wish to settle -in Germany instead. I have been deputed to ascertain -what treatment we are likely to receive at the -hands of the authorities.’</p> - -<p>‘That is not in my department,’ Finkelstein -answered. ‘You should apply to the Minister of -the Interior.’</p> - -<p>‘You misunderstand me,’ I returned smoothly. -‘I do not doubt that we shall be permitted to -settle here. The question is, how much independence -we shall enjoy from police supervision. -In France we were always able to maintain exceedingly -friendly relations with the police. We -are, of course, a very wealthy Order.’</p> - -<p>Finkelstein’s eyes sparkled. I knew that he was -in receipt of a secret pension from the exiled claimant -to the throne of a State annexed by Prussia in 1866. -It was evident that he was perfectly ready to do -business.</p> - -<p>‘You will find that the Berlin police exercise the -greatest tact towards communities of high character -like yours,’ he said eagerly.</p> - -<p>I lay back in my chair and threw off my hood, as -I observed—</p> - -<p>‘My dear Finkelstein, I see that you are not -changed.’</p> - -<p>The Director’s consternation was quite laughable -to witness.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span></p> - -<p>‘V——!’ he exclaimed, drawing back as if he had -been stung; then he added, in a tone of hesitation: -‘My old friend?’</p> - -<p>‘Yes; your friend—and your ally, if you will -accept him as such,’ I said cordially.</p> - -<p>Finkelstein looked immensely relieved. He was -well aware that the Kaiser did not accord him his -complete confidence, and he must have feared that -I had come to him, as on a former occasion, as the -Kaiser’s agent.</p> - -<p>‘My dear V——, any friendship and assistance -that I can give you are at your service at all times,’ -he hastened to assure me.</p> - -<p>‘It is understood, then, is it not, that we are to -stand by each other? If I undertake to report -favourably of you in a certain quarter, you will give -me your confidence?’</p> - -<p>‘That is always understood between Secret Service -agents who are men of honour,’ the German responded.</p> - -<p>We shook hands with great warmth.</p> - -<p>‘Now,’ I said, ‘I can afford to be perfectly frank.’</p> - -<p>Finkelstein glanced at me with the suspicion which -such a declaration was certain to provoke.</p> - -<p>‘I am here, this time, in the interests of Russia.’</p> - -<p>The Director met my eye with a look of polite -incredulity.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_250" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_250.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘V——!’ he exclaimed, drawing back as if he had been stung.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>‘Distrust has been awakened in the Russian -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span>Council of State by this Venezuelan affair, in which -Germany has been much too friendly with England. -It is necessary to ascertain exactly what the Kaiser’s -views and intentions really are. He is either deceiving -the Tsar, or deceiving the English, and I have to -find out which. For this purpose I must pass a -night in the Emperor’s private cabinet.’</p> - -<p>‘But surely that is not a difficult thing for you -to manage,’ observed Finkelstein, with evident distrust. -‘His Majesty trusts you implicitly, does he -not?’</p> - -<p>‘He may trust me as a spy on you, and yet not -confide to me his political designs,’ I answered. -‘The truth is that the Kaiser is on his guard. He -knows that he is being watched, and just now he -distrusts everybody—his own police most of all,’ I -added pointedly.</p> - -<p>The Director put his hand to his head, with a -gesture of despair.</p> - -<p>‘It comes to this,’ he cried pathetically, ‘that -unless I betray him you will report to him that I -am a traitor!’</p> - -<p>‘You should have thought of that before you -accepted the money of the Duke of Heligoland,’ I -retorted, naming the Royal exile referred to above.</p> - -<p>The German sighed, and hung his head.</p> - -<p>‘The Russian Government is not less wealthy than -the Order of Assumptionists,’ I added.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span></p> - -<p>Finkelstein brightened up again. A man of such -mercurial temperament was most unfit for his -position.</p> - -<p>As soon as it became a question of terms between -us I knew that the battle was won. The German -really hated and feared Russia, like all his countrymen, -and had it been prudent to do so, I should -have been glad to relieve his mind.</p> - -<p>It was an easy matter for him to make the required -arrangements. A hint to the commander of the -regiment which supplied the Palace guard that some -theft had taken place, and that a detective’s presence -was necessary, was sufficient. At the hour of eleven, -the Kaiser’s time for retiring, I found myself in the -uniform of a Prussian soldier, pacing the corridor -which gave access to his Majesty’s cabinet.</p> - -<p>Secured from suspicion by the character in which -I had entered the Palace, I lost no time in unlocking -the door of the room by means of a key invented -by myself. I must be excused from describing its -mechanism in these pages; but the only lock against -which it is powerless is the familiar letter padlock.</p> - -<p>As soon as I was inside I closed the door again. -I did not venture to turn on the electric light, but -made use of a dark lantern I had brought with me, -to explore the chamber.</p> - -<p>In front of me stood his Majesty’s writing-table, -covered with despatch boxes. I considered it useless<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span> -to open them, and turned my eyes round the room -in search of some more secret receptacle.</p> - -<p>At first no sign of anything of the kind I sought -was visible. There were cupboards, but they were -not even locked. The walls were hung with maps, -among which my eye was particularly caught by a -chart of the world on Mercator’s projection, on which -the various possessions of Great Britain were indicated -by small red flags attached to pins. It seemed -to me an ominous thing that such a map, so marked, -should be ever before the eyes of the ablest Continental -ruler, who was known to be feverishly at -work building a navy fit to contend with that of -England.</p> - -<p>In a reflective mood I stepped towards the map -and looked at it. The flag which marked New -Zealand had sagged down slightly, as though less -firmly thrust in than the rest. Without stopping to -think what I was doing, I took hold of the pin and -pressed it into the wall.</p> - -<p>To my surprise I felt a resistance which at once -accounted for the loose position in which I had -found the flag. I removed one of the other pins, -and found it went into the wall without any difficulty. -It was therefore clear that at the particular part of -the wall covered by New Zealand there existed some -obstacle, probably of a metallic nature.</p> - -<p>Once convinced of this, I had no doubt as to my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span> -next step. I drew out the whole of the pins in the -eastern portion of the chart, and rolled it back.</p> - -<p>I was rewarded by the sight of a dark round patch -on the wall-paper, beneath which I could detect the -presence of a metallic disk or knob. I pressed it -boldly, and a square section of the wall opened out -on a hinge, revealing a small cupboard, secured by a -black seal showing the impress of the Emperor’s -signet, with which I was sufficiently familiar.</p> - -<p>This discovery placed me in an awkward position. -There was no time for me to counterfeit the seal, -and if I broke it, it was evident that Wilhelm II. -must know that his hiding-place had been tampered -with.</p> - -<p>The prudence I had shown in dealing with Finkelstein -was now invaluable to me. At the worst the -Kaiser would learn that his secrets were in the hands -of a Russian spy, and my real employer would be -unknown. It was this reflection which emboldened -me to proceed.</p> - -<p>I broke the seal, opened the cupboard, and found -a pile of papers which I took to the writing-table to -look through.</p> - -<p>The papers were enclosed in what is styled in -Government Departments a ‘jacket’—a large sheet -of paper folded to form a cover. The outside of this -jacket was endorsed in the Kaiser’s well-known hand—‘<em>European -Zollverein</em>.’</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp50" id="i_254" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_254.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘Arrest that man!’ the Kaiser commanded, without giving him -time to speak.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span></p> - -<p>Those words told me all. The daring brain of -Wilhelm II. had revived the idea which the great -Napoleon embodied in his famous Milan Decrees. -The whole of the Powers of the Continent were to -be united in a Customs League against Great Britain.</p> - -<p>Russia and Austria, I saw, had eagerly welcomed -the proposal. Spain and Turkey, with the Balkan -States, were also committed to it. So were Belgium -and Holland, the first in revenge for British criticism -of the Congo Free State, the second on account of -the Boer War. Sweden and Denmark were evidently -disinclined to the scheme, but unable to resist the -pressure put upon them. Only three countries still -held out firmly—France, Italy, and Portugal.</p> - -<p>The opposition of France seemed to be due partly -to the fact that Great Britain was her largest -customer, and partly to dislike of any proposal -coming from Germany. Italy and Portugal seemed -to realise that their own fate was bound up with -that of England, and to view with dread the prospect -of weakening the British power.</p> - -<p>I had just finished reading the spirited protest -of little Portugal, contained in a private autograph -letter from Dom Carlos to the German Emperor, -when the room was suddenly flashed with the full -glare of the electric light. I looked up and saw his -Majesty standing before me, in full uniform, with his -sword drawn in his hand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span></p> - -<p>I had reckoned without Wilhelm II. when I undertook -my perilous enterprise. The colonel of the -guard, it appeared, had reported that a detective -had been admitted into the Palace by Finkelstein’s -request. The Kaiser had thought little of the -matter at first, but later on his curiosity had become -too strong for him, and he had decided to -find out for himself what was going on.</p> - -<p>I confess that for the first and only time in my -life I turned cold with fear, as the sudden apparition -of the armed Emperor burst on my startled -consciousness.</p> - -<p>‘Arrest that man!’ he commanded, without giving -me time to speak.</p> - -<p>Two soldiers advanced from the corridor and -pinioned me by the arms. Then the Kaiser himself -stepped forward, seized the papers I had been -studying, and thrust them into his breast.</p> - -<p>‘Order a firing-party with ball cartridges to -get ready in the inner courtyard,’ was the next -command.</p> - -<p>All this time it was evident that the Kaiser had -not recognised me. Indeed, my disguise was so -perfect that I felt quite secure on that head. The -question was whether it would make matters worse -or better for me if I revealed my identity.</p> - -<p>‘Now,’ his Majesty demanded, turning to me, -‘who are you, and what are you doing here?’</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_256" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_256.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘Now,’ said the Kaiser, stepping close to my side, ‘tell me the truth—the real truth, mind—and -I will spare your life.’”</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span></p> - -<p>‘Does your Majesty wish me to speak before these -men?’</p> - -<p>The Kaiser hesitated.</p> - -<p>‘Yes,’ he said at last; ‘speak out.’</p> - -<p>I shrugged my shoulders.</p> - -<p>‘I am here as the agent of the Federal Council,’ -I declared. The Federal Council, as most readers -will remember, is the Senate of the German Empire. -It represents more especially the dynasties of Bavaria, -Saxony, and the other small kingdoms united with -Prussia to form the modern Empire.</p> - -<p>Wilhelm II. started as I pronounced the name of -this body. It is well known that his Imperial -Majesty does not enjoy the full confidence of some of -his satellite kings. In the army there has been a good -deal of friction beneath the surface. It was therefore -not at all improbable that the lesser royalties of -Germany should have employed a spy to detect the -designs of their erratic and overbearing suzerain.</p> - -<p>‘Did you tell this to Herr Finkelstein?’ was the -next question.</p> - -<p>‘No, sire.’ I was anxious to save the Director -from the Imperial wrath. ‘I persuaded him that I -was your Majesty’s confidential agent.’</p> - -<p>The Kaiser glared at me, and muttered an exclamation -which I need not repeat.</p> - -<p>‘How do I know that you are telling the truth -to me, any more than you did to him?’ he cried.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span></p> - -<p>‘Your Majesty cannot know it,’ I answered coldly. -‘The Council, of course, will disown me.’</p> - -<p>‘You are a cool hand,’ Wilhelm commented, gnawing -his moustache. ‘It seems to me that I can do -nothing with you, except shoot you.’</p> - -<p>‘That will be much the simplest course,’ I replied. -I saw that it would be a contest between the Emperor’s -curiosity and his vengeance, and already I -began to hope.</p> - -<p>His Majesty gave the signal, and I was led -out into the courtyard, where I found six men -under the command of an officer, drawn up in -line.</p> - -<p>I was placed in front of them, and as I looked -down the rifle-barrels already pointed at my heart -I felt really nervous for a moment. The scene was -illuminated by a solitary lamp fixed over the gateway, -and its rays broke against the row of steel -tubes which held death.</p> - -<p>‘Now,’ said the Kaiser, stepping close to my side, -‘tell me the truth—the real truth, mind—and I will -spare your life.’</p> - -<p>I tried to think of something which Wilhelm II. -would be likely to believe. In the meantime, I -congratulated myself on not having disclosed my -identity, as in that case, of course, it would not -have occurred to his Majesty that I could be -induced to betray my employer.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span></p> - -<p>He saw that I was hesitating, and fortunately -mistook the reason.</p> - -<p>‘I will not only spare your life, but I will send you -across the frontier under an escort, and let you go -free,’ his Majesty declared.</p> - -<p>I affected to yield reluctantly.</p> - -<p>‘My mission is not, strictly speaking, an official -one. I am the agent of an individual, who wishes to -render a service to his countrymen, without his -action being publicly known. Your Majesty’s recent -alliance with Great Britain to blockade Venezuela -has aroused the fears of thoughtful American statesmen. -It is suspected that you may have other projects -in which the interests of the United States are -concerned, and I have been instructed——’</p> - -<p>‘By Theodore Roosevelt!’ the Kaiser exclaimed, -falling back a pace or two.</p> - -<p>I nodded.</p> - -<p>‘Your Majesty has guessed the truth. The project -which I have discovered among your papers -does not concern the United States, and I am therefore -willing to undertake that it shall not be revealed -to the President.’</p> - -<p>‘Enough,’ Wilhelm II. said in subdued tones. ‘I -have passed my word.’ He turned to the officer. -‘Take this man in irons to Hamburg, and place him -on board a British vessel.’</p> - -<p>If I felt some compunction at the liberty I had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span> -taken with the name of the United States President, -I consoled myself with the assurance that he would -pardon me in view of the fact that I was acting in -the interest of the mother-country.</p> - -<p>My escort placed me on board a steamer bound for -Hull, with an intimation to the captain that my irons -were not to be struck off till the ship was out of the -Elbe.</p> - -<p>The captain was naturally curious to learn who I -was. I allowed him to suppose that I was a Pole -banished for sedition. Fortunately, I had ample -funds about me to defray my first-class passage, and -I have generally found in dealing with Englishmen -that a Bank of England note inspires more confidence -than a testimonial from an Archbishop.</p> - -<p>As soon as the boat reached Hull I made the best -of my way to Balmoral, where Lord Bedale was staying -in attendance on King Edward.</p> - -<p>Into his lordship’s astonished ears I poured the -whole tale of my discovery, passing over as lightly -as possible the dangers through which I had passed.</p> - -<p>Lord Bedale was much moved.</p> - -<p>‘I must thank you warmly for having kept the -K——I mean, for having kept my name out of this. -The Emperor would certainly have suspected that I -was acting on King Edward’s behalf.’</p> - -<p>‘It is possible,’ I said drily.</p> - -<p>The Marquis glanced at me and we both smiled.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span></p> - -<p>‘Enough!’ he said. ‘Remain in the neighbourhood, -and I will see you again in a day or two.’</p> - -<p>The next time Lord Bedale sent for me his manner -was entirely changed.</p> - -<p>‘Monsieur V——,’ he said, ‘I have related the -whole of your adventure to his Majesty, who has -formed the highest opinion of your tact and fidelity; -so much so, that he has now instructed me to offer -you a mission on his own behalf.’</p> - -<p>‘That will be the highest honour I could receive.’</p> - -<p>‘His Majesty’s health is not yet fully recovered. -In consequence, his physicians have advised him to -take a sea-voyage in the early part of the year.’</p> - -<p>‘I trust it will benefit his Majesty very greatly.’</p> - -<p>‘The climate of the Mediterranean has been recommended.’</p> - -<p>‘There is no pleasanter climate at that time of -year.’</p> - -<p>‘As his Majesty will be obliged to pass by the -mouth of the Tagus, it will seem discourteous if he -does not land in Lisbon, and see the King.’</p> - -<p>‘His Majesty’s courtesy is proverbial.’</p> - -<p>‘In visiting his Maltese subjects he will be so near -Italy that King Victor may expect to see him in -Rome.’</p> - -<p>‘That will be only natural.’</p> - -<p>‘In case his Majesty should feel tired of so much -sea, he may feel it pleasanter to return overland.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span></p> - -<p>‘That will involve his passing through Paris.’</p> - -<p>‘Exactly.’</p> - -<p>Portugal, Italy, France—these were the three -States which had made a stand against the threatened -alliance against the United Kingdom. I looked -at Lord Bedale and we understood one another.</p> - -<p>‘His Majesty proposes that you should visit each -of these three capitals in advance, and ascertain in a -confidential way how he is likely to be received, not -merely by the head of the State, but by the people -themselves—the nation.’</p> - -<p>‘I understand.’</p> - -<p>‘King Edward desires to be received, not with -formal courtesy, but with the recognition due to the -ambassador of the world’s peace.’</p> - -<p>‘I shall bear that in mind.’</p> - -<p>‘I may add that he only defers bestowing the -Victorian Order on you till he is able to do so in -return for the services he now asks you to render -him.’</p> - -<p>There is not much more for me to add.</p> - -<p>In Rome, as in Lisbon, I found there was little for -me to do; the name of King Edward was already on -every tongue. Even in Paris, with its jealous and -reckless Press, I found that the British King was a -favourite with those who were most ready to criticise -British policy.</p> - -<p>I had an interview with Father Loubet, as the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> -French love to call their homely peasant-President; -the man who has proved once more that sterling -character counts for more in public life than rank or -wealth or intellectual cleverness.</p> - -<p>Later on I had the honour of accompanying the -ruler of Britain on his stately progress of peace. -And as his coming was acclaimed in capital after -capital, and the nations so long sundered by senseless -rivalries shook hands, with their sovereigns, the -angry Emperors realised that England’s ‘splendid -isolation’ was over, and that she had resumed her -historic <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rôle</i> of the champion of the weak, and protector -of the liberties of Europe.</p> - -<p>The glittering jewel pinned to my breast by the -great Monarch’s own hands was an unnecessary -reward. To have served such a master was enough.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="XI">XI<br /> - -<span class="fs80">THE HUMBERT MILLIONS</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">The Humbert Case, like the Dreyfus Case, is a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">chose -jugée</i>.</p> - -<p>Thérèse Humbert, one of the greatest women of -the century, who united the commanding personality -of a Catherine the Great with the genius for intrigue -of a Catherine de Medicis, has been formally tried -and condemned, and is now secluded from the public -eye. The journals of the Boulevards pretend to be -satisfied; and their credulous readers are taught to -believe that this remarkable affair was a vulgar -swindle, and that the famous millions had no existence -except in the mind of the arch-intriguer.</p> - -<p>It is under these circumstances that I find myself -at length free to make an announcement which I -foresee must provoke a storm of denial and denunciation.</p> - -<p><em>I know what has become of the Humbert millions.</em></p> - -<p>I do not make this declaration without having -weighed the consequences. If my part in this affair -could be brought home to me by legal proofs, it is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span> -possible that I should find myself in danger of a -penalty such as has been meted out to Madame -Humbert herself.</p> - -<p>I believe, however, that I have sufficiently secured -myself against such a contingency. For many -months past I have been engaged in a duel of a -singular character with the famous head of the -French police, M. Rattache: a duel of wits, in which -the combatants have kept on the mask of friendship, -while exchanging thrusts and parries with an assumption -of perfect unconsciousness.</p> - -<p>In no step of her marvellous career, perhaps, -did Thérèse Humbert show more sagacity than in -establishing relations with myself. Accustomed as -I am to act almost exclusively for crowned heads, -or ministers of state, I was the agent least likely to -be suspected of any connection with what wore the -appearance of an ordinary police affair.</p> - -<p>With the same prudence which marked nearly all -her actions, Madame Humbert refrained from coming -to my office to engage my services, and from asking -me to visit her. Instead, I received what appeared -to be a casual invitation to dine with a banker, whom -I will call Baron Y——.</p> - -<p>Baron Y—— was a man whom I knew but slightly, -but his house enjoyed a good reputation, and he moved -in the best society of the financial world. He was -noted for his entertainments, and therefore I was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span> -surprised on this occasion to find only three other -persons present, besides the members of the family.</p> - -<p>The three other guests were M. Bas-Riviére, an -ex-member of the Waldeck-Rousseau Ministry, the -Marquis des Saintes Roches, a distinguished Legitimist, -that is to say, a member of the party which -aims at the restoration of the Bourbons, and—Thérèse -Humbert.</p> - -<p>At this time the voice of rumour was already busy -with Madame Humbert’s name; but though assailed, -she still maintained a bold front, and her enemies -had not yet been able to touch her.</p> - -<p>It did not occur to me that her presence at the -dinner had any significance, but I studied her with -that interest which her reputation naturally excited. -Impassive, almost stolid in her demeanour, and speaking -but little, Madame Humbert impressed me more -than any woman I have ever met, with the single -exception of the Dowager Empress of China. I will -not say that I felt awed by this extraordinary -personage, but I recognised in her one of those -commanding personalities which overrule all who -are brought into touch with them.</p> - -<p>After dinner Baron Y—— led us through some of -the rooms in his superb mansion, to view the pictures -and curiosities which his wealth had enabled him to -gather together.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_266" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_266.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘I am going to ask you to undertake a service of an unusual kind.’”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Somehow or other Madame Humbert contrived to -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span>fall gradually behind the rest of the party, keeping -me by her side. I did not realise that this was a -deliberate manœuvre, until, just as the others were -passing out of a small Turkish smoking-room, my -companion abruptly laid her hand on my arm, and -whispered in my ear—</p> - -<p>‘Let us remain here a moment, if you please, -Monsieur V——. I have something which I wish -to say to you.’</p> - -<p>Even then it did not at first dawn on me that the -whole entertainment had been arranged for the single -purpose of enabling Madame Humbert to interview -me without attracting the notice of the police, who -were already beginning to take an interest in her -movements.</p> - -<p>‘Let us sit down,’ the custodian of the mysterious -millions said with authority. ‘What I have to say -to you will take some time.’</p> - -<p>Observe, she did not admit the possibility of my -objecting to receive her confidences. She had made -up her mind that I was the agent necessary for her -purpose, and it was only left to me to obey.</p> - -<p>I took a seat beside her without speaking. Magnetised -by her strange power, it did not occur to me -to lay down any conditions in advance.</p> - -<p>‘I am going to ask you to undertake a service of -an unusual kind. You will run some risks, and I -shall be obliged to trust you implicitly.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span></p> - -<p>‘Madame,’—I began to protest. She silenced me -with a superb gesture.</p> - -<p>‘I have not asked you for assurances, monsieur. -If I have chosen you in preference to any of my -friends, even men of the highest honour, like M. des -Saintes Roches, depend upon it I know what I am -about. Do not interrupt me, but listen. In my safe -at this moment I have notes and securities to the -value of two hundred millions of francs.’</p> - -<p>Two hundred millions! That is to say, in English -money, £8,000,000! I stared at her in amazement—almost -in disbelief. She went on speaking with the -most perfect composure, as if nothing out of the -ordinary were being discussed. It was this self-command, -this air of the commonplace with which -she invested the most fantastic statements, which -constituted the secret of her power.</p> - -<p>‘This sum, which originally amounted to only one -hundred and twenty millions, does not belong to me. -It is a sacred deposit, intrusted to me many years -ago, since which time the interest has steadily -accumulated.’</p> - -<p>‘But, then, whose——?’ I tried to put in. But -Madame Humbert would not permit me to speak.</p> - -<p>‘It is useless to question me, monsieur. Think -what you like concerning the true ownership of this -money, but do not expect me to enlighten you. All -that it is necessary for you to know is that these<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span> -millions constitute a war fund, to be employed in a -certain event, and on behalf of a cause which I was -brought up to hold dearer than life.’</p> - -<p>‘A war fund!’ I could not resist exclaiming.</p> - -<p>My companion ignored the interruption.</p> - -<p>‘From which it follows that the whole sum must -always be available, at an hour’s notice, in the hands -of a trusty agent. Hitherto I have been that agent; -but I have met with misfortunes, and a danger has -arisen that this sum may fall into the hands of my -private creditors.’</p> - -<p>She paused for a moment, and then added, in a -less firm tone—</p> - -<p>‘The custody of this vast sum has been my ruin. -In order to use it to advantage I was obliged to invent -all sorts of fables to account for its being in my -possession. People insisted on treating me as a rich -woman, they forced loans upon me; I considered it -permissible to borrow money on the security of this -fortune of which I was merely the guardian; I -managed my own affairs badly—in short I am insolvent, -and shall shortly be obliged to go into -hiding. My creditors have asked the Courts for an -order to open the safe which contains the millions, and -unless they are removed in time I shall have incurred -the vengeance of those whose cause I have betrayed.’</p> - -<p>She shuddered. Thérèse Humbert, the strong-minded, -imperturbable woman who had witnessed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span> -suicides committed on her account, trembled as she -referred to this vengeance, which was so much more -terrible to her than any penalties in the power of -the French Courts to impose.</p> - -<p>‘In a word, Monsieur V——,’ she resumed, throwing -off her momentary weakness, ‘you must relieve -me of the custody of this treasure.’</p> - -<p>I sat as if mesmerised while I received this -staggering proposal, which the extraordinary personage -beside me made in the matter-of-fact tone of one -who is asking another to undertake the posting of a -letter.</p> - -<p>This woman, whom I had never seen before, who -was beginning to be publicly branded as an adventuress, -and who had just confessed herself to be a -bankrupt, if not something which the law would call -by a harsher name—this woman calmly informed -me that she proposed handing over to me a sum -equal to the revenue of a kingdom, to be held, as -far as I could see, for an unknown length of time, -for an unknown owner, and for an unknown purpose.</p> - -<p>If it had been any other person in the world who -had made me such a proposition, I am certain that -I should have laughed at it as a hoax, or, at least, -demanded the most circumstantial details and -assurances before going further. What was there -about this Thérèse Humbert, with her figure of a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span> -bourgeois, her expressionless face, and cold grey eye, -which compelled me to take her seriously—which -made me, against my judgment, submit to become -her instrument? In the power of the human will -there are mysteries which philosophy has not yet -fathomed.</p> - -<p>It is true that at this time Madame Humbert still -retained the confidence of a very large section of -society. There had, as yet, been no hint of any -criminal proceedings against her. Even if there -had been, moreover, she had so clearly separated -her position as trustee of the millions from her -private dealings, that she had convinced me that -I could carry out her instructions with regard to -the fund, without being guilty of any dishonesty -towards the creditors who were proceeding against -her.</p> - -<p>Be that as it may, I consented to consider the -matter.</p> - -<p>My companion at once set herself to extract from -me a definite undertaking.</p> - -<p>‘There is no time to lose,’ she insisted. ‘Although -I am exhausting every legal form, in order to postpone -the decision, my advocate has warned me that -I must not expect it to be delayed much longer. I -shall not be easy till the millions are safely in your -hands.’</p> - -<p>‘And when I have received them, what then?’<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span> -I asked. ‘Will it not be known that the sum is -in my possession, and shall I not be exposed to proceedings -in my turn?’</p> - -<p>‘That is what we have got to avoid,’ was the -answer. ‘It will be necessary for you to take the -money with the greatest secrecy. Fortunately, this -is not an affair of bankers. The notes and bills are -lying ready in the safe in my house, and do not -require to be endorsed. You will not be asked for a -receipt even.’</p> - -<p>I was more and more overcome by the sublime -daring of this woman’s ideas.</p> - -<p>‘Then you simply wish me to take the fund -from you and hold it at your disposal?’</p> - -<p>‘At the disposal of those to whom it belongs,’ -Thérèse corrected me. ‘When the time comes to -reclaim these millions I may be out of reach. That -will not matter to you. All you will have to do is -to keep the treasure in some safe hiding-place, and -deliver it up to the first person who comes to you -and pronounces in your ear three words.’</p> - -<p>She bent her lips towards me and whispered -three words of such notable significance that I was -left in little doubt as to the purpose for which the -mysterious hoard was being kept in readiness.</p> - -<p>Although the light thus obtained served to relieve -my mind of the fear that I was mixing in any vulgar -swindle, yet at the same time it showed me that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span> -there were grave risks to be run, and that I might -easily find myself in the meshes of the criminal -law.</p> - -<p>I again asked for time to consider. Madame -Humbert’s sole reply was an offer of terms so liberal -that it would have been quarrelling with my profession -to refuse. She smiled with grim satisfaction as -she read in my face that I gave in.</p> - -<p>‘Then that is settled, monsieur,’ she remarked, -preparing to rise. ‘I will only add that the sooner -you get to work the better it will be for everybody.’</p> - -<p>‘When do you propose to hand the millions over -to me?’ was my natural question.</p> - -<p>‘I do not propose to hand them over to you at -all,’ she responded coolly. ‘You will take the money -out of the safe in your own fashion, and without consulting -me.’</p> - -<p>I gazed at her in consternation.</p> - -<p>‘You mean that I should steal this two hundred -millions!’ I gasped.</p> - -<p>‘That will be the best plan, I think,’ said Madame -Humbert with an approving nod.</p> - -<p>I have been concerned in some curious transactions -in my time, and in some dangerous ones, but -now I felt that I was fairly out of my depth. I -knew that I was nothing to Thérèse Humbert; and -if it suited her convenience to use me as a cat’s-paw<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> -in the game she was playing with the authorities -I might very well find myself in an ugly situation.</p> - -<p>What, for example, could be easier than for this -accomplished intriguer to set a trap for me; have -me arrested, perhaps, in the attempt to break into -an empty safe, and thus establish a defence for herself? -She would be able to pose as the victim of a -robbery; and I should be held responsible for the -disappearance of these millions whose existence was -in dispute.</p> - -<p>I felt my companion’s eyes fixed on my face -in watchful scrutiny as these reflections passed -through my mind. My decision was taken swiftly.</p> - -<p>‘You shall hear from me in the morning, madame,’ -I said sharply, rising from my seat. ‘Till then, <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">au -revoir</i>.’</p> - -<p>And I went out of the room, and out of the house, -without giving her an opportunity to press me -further.</p> - -<p>When the morning came I was seated in my -office as usual, engaged in deciphering a confidential -cable from the President of Colombia, when my -secretary entered the room and informed me that a -veiled lady, who declined to give her name, wished -to see me in private.</p> - -<p>‘Show Madame Humbert in,’ I said, emphasising -the name.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp90" id="i_274" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_274.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“My visitor started as she heard her name, and threw up her veil with a gesture of -astonishment and indignation.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>The secretary, who understood what was required -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span>of him, went out, and immediately returned with -the visitor.</p> - -<p>‘Madame Humbert,’ he announced with as much -confidence as if the great Thérèse had intrusted him -with her card.</p> - -<p>On the previous night Madame Humbert had -enjoyed the superiority over me, I confess it. This -morning the tables were turned, and I had brought -off the first <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">coup</i>.</p> - -<p>My visitor started as she heard her name, and -threw up her veil with a gesture of astonishment -and indignation combined.</p> - -<p>‘Madame Humbert!’ I cried, pretending to be -equally surprised. Then, as the secretary retired, -I added—‘This publicity, is it quite prudent, my -dear madame?’</p> - -<p>Thérèse gave me a glance in which I read something -like fear, as she dropped into a seat.</p> - -<p>‘But I don’t understand, Monsieur V——. I -don’t know how that young man learned who I was.’</p> - -<p>I shrugged my shoulders.</p> - -<p>‘It is the business of my staff to penetrate -mysteries, madame. But you may depend on my -secretary’s discretion. It will be awkward if the -police have followed you here, however. If M. -Rattache were to learn that we had been in communication, -I might be obliged to withdraw from -the case.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span></p> - -<p>Madame Humbert clasped her hands in agitation. -Her demeanour was no longer that of the cold, -masterful woman who had conversed with me in -Baron Y——’s smoking-room.</p> - -<p>‘Listen, monsieur! Is it possible that you do not -guess the object of my visit?’</p> - -<p>‘Unless it is to give me further instructions on -the subject of your affair, no.’</p> - -<p>Thérèse wrung her hands.</p> - -<p>‘It is to tell you, on the contrary, that everything -is lost. At the very moment that we were talking -together, a real robber, unknown to me, was rifling -my safe of everything!’</p> - -<p>‘You are serious, madame, I suppose?’</p> - -<p>‘Serious!’ It is impossible to describe the tragedy -in her voice and air. ‘I tell you, monsieur, that -I left Baron Y——’s within an hour of speaking to -you. I drove straight home, went to the safe, opened -it, and found inside a button and a centime.’</p> - -<p>‘Really!’</p> - -<p>Madame Humbert gazed at me desperately.</p> - -<p>‘You do not believe me, perhaps, monsieur? Yet -I swear to you as a Christian woman—I swear as a -mother—that there were two hundred millions of -francs in that safe when I came to dine at Baron -Y——’s.’</p> - -<p>‘I have not the least doubt of it, madame.’</p> - -<p>‘Then what do you suspect?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span></p> - -<p>‘It is clear to me that you have been robbed -since.’</p> - -<p>‘By whom?’</p> - -<p>‘By some one in your confidence, perhaps. Some -one to whom you had confided the guardianship of -this fund, in which his Royal Highness the —— -of —— is so much interested.’</p> - -<p>Madame Humbert glared at me in anger.</p> - -<p>‘You are mocking me,’ she cried fiercely. ‘I -came here to ask if you would undertake the -recovery of this money from the thief.’</p> - -<p>‘That is unnecessary, madame. All that your -friends have to do is to approach him, and breathe -in his ear the three words, —— —— ——.’</p> - -<p>‘But if we do not know who he is!’ cried the -distracted plotter.</p> - -<p>‘Oh, if you only require to know who he is, that -is soon settled. I will send you the name of the -robber on the day on which your affair terminates -in the Courts.’</p> - -<p>A light began to break upon the mind of the -excited woman.</p> - -<p>‘Monsieur V——!’ she exclaimed. ‘Is it possible——?’</p> - -<p>I drew myself up.</p> - -<p>‘Silence, if you please, madame. I have made -you a promise which I shall know how to keep. In -the meantime it is clear that we have nothing more<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span> -to say to one another, and that the sooner you are -out of this building the better it will be for all -parties.’</p> - -<p>Madame Humbert rose, gave me a glance in which -curiosity, respect, and apprehension were strangely -mingled, and quitted my presence without venturing -to say another word.</p> - -<p>I have never seen her since.</p> - -<p>The following day, as I entered my private room -at the usual hour, I was conscious of a singular -impression, in the nature of a presentiment. Some -men possess a sense, more subtle than sight or smell, -by means of which they are able to detect a personal -presence, more especially one hostile to themselves. -I have been well served by an instinct of this kind -on more than one occasion, and now it asserted itself -so strongly that for an instant I believed that there -must be some one hiding in my room.</p> - -<p>A glance around removed this suspicion. Everything -was in its place as usual—was even <em>more</em> in -its place than usual, if I may be permitted the -hyperbole.</p> - -<p>I went to the secret drawer in which I kept the -cipher despatches concerning the Panama affair (on -which I was engaged about this time).</p> - -<p>It seemed to me that the spring worked a little -<em>more</em> smoothly than when I had last opened the -drawer. The papers inside lay exactly as I had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span> -left them overnight. Struck by a sudden thought, -I pulled the drawer right out, lit a match, and -examined the dusty floor of the recess.</p> - -<p>I was rewarded by the sight of one—two—three -distinct prints of finger-tips in the dust.</p> - -<p>That sight, of course, told me everything. My -office had been ransacked during the night by the -French police, and those prints had been left by -fingers tapping in search of the hiding-place of the -Humbert millions.</p> - -<p>It was a startling thing to find M. Rattache so -swiftly on my trail, and I inwardly cursed the -imprudence which had permitted Madame Humbert -to pay me her tell-tale visit. I put on my hat and -hurried round to the little apartment in the Quartier -Latin which I use for appointments with persons -whom it would be inexpedient to receive openly. -As I expected, I found M. Rattache had been before -me. His myrmidons had done their work no less -thoroughly here than at my headquarters.</p> - -<p>I always enjoy a struggle with a foe worthy of my -steel, and this was by no means my first bout with -the famous detective force of Paris. On my first -settling in Paris, their attentions to me had been -incessant and disagreeable, and it had taken all my -ingenuity to keep my secrets from them. By degrees -we had drifted into a species of informal armistice, -it being understood, rather than agreed, that they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span> -abandoned the attempt to follow my proceedings, -while I refrained from acting against them in the -criminal affairs with which they were chiefly concerned.</p> - -<p>Between M. Rattache, the brilliant head of the -force, and myself there had sprung up a warm -private friendship, based on mutual respect. I -knew that he would not have permitted his men -to trouble me without pretty good grounds for so -doing; and this made me the more anxious.</p> - -<p>My first thought, after visiting the Quartier Latin, -was for my private residence. I felt pretty sure that -the police could not have been there in the night -without my knowledge, and I asked myself what -plan the fertile brain of my rival would devise in -order to search the premises without giving me -warning.</p> - -<p>I hailed a <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">fiacre</span>, and bade the driver go to my -house at his best speed. It was not yet eleven -o’clock, so there was room for hope that M. Rattache -had not begun his attack in this quarter. If he -had, I should probably catch his men at work.</p> - -<p>As we drew near the street in which my house is -situated we were overtaken by a fire-engine, which -dashed by at a gallop. Struck by a sudden apprehension, -I offered my driver a golden <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">pourboire</i> to -double his speed.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp51" id="i_280" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_280.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“I was stopped at the barricade by a pompous sergeant of police.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>It was too late. As we drove up I beheld a thick -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span>black column of smoke issuing from my house. A -barricade had been formed; half a dozen fire-engines -were drawn up in front, though it was remarkable -that not one had yet begun to play upon the building; -and every floor appeared to be swarming with -firemen, who were gutting the house of everything -it contained.</p> - -<p>In spite of my vexation at the sight of my ruined -home, I could not withhold my tribute of admiration -to M. Rattache’s promptness and resource. Under -the pretence of a fire, which he had of course contrived -to start, and which was well under control, he -had turned in a horde of detectives, disguised as -firemen, with instructions to pull the building to -pieces, if necessary, in search of the Humbert -millions.</p> - -<p>It was useless for me to think of interfering. I -was stopped at the barricade by a pompous sergeant -of police, who took down my name and address, -rebuked me severely for my negligence in permitting -my house to catch fire, and forbade me to interrupt -the firemen in their benevolent labours on my behalf.</p> - -<p>Walking to and fro on the pavement, and scrutinising -every article brought out from the building by -his assistants, I perceived M. Rattache himself. In -a minute he caught sight of me, and came towards -me with extended arms.</p> - -<p>He knew, of course, that I thoroughly understood<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span> -the game. Nevertheless, his expression of sympathetic -distress was perfect.</p> - -<p>‘My dear V——! What an unlucky chance! -Behold me overwhelmed with grief at your misfortune!’</p> - -<p>‘You are too good,’ I returned drily. ‘There is -nothing of any value in the house, I am glad to say. -This accident will merely give me the annoyance of -sleeping in a hotel for the next few nights.’</p> - -<p>‘Do not say that, my dear colleague,’ M. Rattache -responded eagerly. ‘You will confer a real favour -on me by consenting to accept my hospitality for a -short time, till your house is ready for you again.’</p> - -<p>I glanced at him with suspicion. Did this mean -that I was to be under arrest?</p> - -<p>‘I cannot thank you sufficiently for such kindness,’ -was my answer. ‘But I am afraid I should cause -you too much inconvenience. My hours are very -irregular; sometimes it is necessary for me to be at -my office in the middle of the night.’</p> - -<p>‘Do not let yourself be restrained by such considerations,’ -he replied earnestly. ‘You shall be as -free as if you were under your own roof.’</p> - -<p>It would have been ungracious to persist in my -refusal, especially as I fancied from M. Rattache’s -tone that he had already come to the conclusion -that his raid on my house was a mistake, and really -regretted the inconvenience he had caused me.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span></p> - -<p>On the whole, the arrangement was not such a -bad one for me. While I should have been exposed -to the surveillance of my antagonist in any case, -this plan would place him under mine. We should -be like the combatants in the holmgang, who were -strapped together, and placed on a small island, to -hack each other to pieces with knives.</p> - -<p>I moved into my new quarters the same day, some -of my personal baggage being brought round by the -pretended firemen, who must have wondered to see -me on such terms with their chief. Rattache presented -me to his wife, a most charming woman with -three little daughters, whose hearts I immediately -won by organising all sorts of games at blindman’s -buff and hide-and-seek.</p> - -<p>During the next few days I received cipher wires -from my various agents abroad, informing me that -their apartments had been searched, and that they -were being shadowed by unknown men.</p> - -<p>I was pleased with these despatches, which proved -to me that my men were on the alert. I sent -encouraging replies, and persuaded Madame Rattache -to accompany me to the theatre.</p> - -<p>I had already visited a Turkish bath in company -with my host, in order to afford him every facility -for ascertaining that I was not carrying any portion -of the £8,000,000 on my person.</p> - -<p>At the end of a month my house was in perfect<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span> -order again. M. Rattache was beginning to feel a -little uneasy, perhaps, at my great progress in the -friendship of madame, for he raised no objection -when I proposed to bring my stay with him to a -close. The little girls were in despair at my going, -and Madame Rattache earnestly pressed me to come -and see them frequently.</p> - -<p>Months passed away, and France and Europe were -absorbed in learning of the sudden flight of the -Humberts, the discovery of the empty safe, the -capture of the fugitives, and the trial and sentence -of the majestic Thérèse.</p> - -<p>As she was leaving the dock at the end of the -case, one of the warders slipped into her hand a -piece of paper which contained simply my initials—A. -V.</p> - -<p>I had gone straight from Baron Y——’s house, -at the end of our conversation, to the Humbert -mansion, gained admittance by means of the -master-key which I usually carry about me, opened -the safe without the least difficulty, and carried off -its contents—all before Madame Humbert had left -the Baron’s door.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp54" id="i_284" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_284.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“The chief detective came close up to me, put his mouth to my ear, -and whispered, ‘<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Le drapeau blanc!</i>’”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>This instantaneous action, which I had considered -necessary for my own protection, turned out to be -the best possible course for the safety of the millions. -Now I had redeemed my promise to Madame Humbert, -by admitting that I was in possession of the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span>lost treasure, and I waited confidently for the person -who should come to claim it.</p> - -<p>Exactly two days afterwards I was surprised by -a visit from M. Rattache, whom I had not seen for -some time, a slight coolness having resulted from -his abortive efforts to surprise my secret.</p> - -<p>The chief detective, instead of taking the chair I -offered him, came close up to me, put his mouth to -my ear, and whispered: ‘<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Le drapeau blanc!</i>’</p> - -<p>The white flag! Is there any English reader who -does not know that in France the white flag signifies -the ancient standard of the Valois and the Bourbons—the -inseparable emblem of Legitimist royalty, which -the Comte de Chambord refused to exchange for the -Revolutionary tricolor, even to obtain the throne?</p> - -<p>I stared at M. Rattache, confounded to find in -the head of the Republican police the confidential -agent of the Monarchists.</p> - -<p>He enjoyed my astonishment for a minute in -silence. Then he said aloud—</p> - -<p>‘Now, my dear V——, perhaps you will reveal to -me the secret of that hiding-place which has baffled -the efforts of my best men for so long.’</p> - -<p>I smiled quietly as I took up my hat.</p> - -<p>‘On first receiving this fund I simply put the -notes and bills in a registered parcel and sent it -to my agent in Brussels, with instructions to put it -in a fresh cover and send it to and fro through the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span> -post till further notice. But on finding that you -were interested in my correspondence I naturally -adopted another plan. I will take you at once to -the spot where I have deposited these millions, -which I shall not be sorry to get rid of.’</p> - -<p>I led the way out into the street, called a <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">fiacre</span>, -and whispered an address into the driver’s ear.</p> - -<p>It was my turn to enjoy the discomfiture of my -colleague, as the carriage drew up before his own -door.</p> - -<p>‘Here!’ was all he could gasp.</p> - -<p>I paid the driver and dismissed him.</p> - -<p>‘Surely there could be no spot more safe from the -perquisitions of the police,’ I answered mockingly.</p> - -<p>M. Rattache conducted me in, and led the way -towards his study.</p> - -<p>‘Not that way,’ I objected. ‘It is necessary for -us to go upstairs.’</p> - -<p>With ever-deepening chagrin M. Rattache followed -me, as I ascended to the schoolroom in which his -little daughters were at play with their dolls.</p> - -<p>They rushed to embrace me with exclamations of -joy.</p> - -<p>‘Isabel,’ I said to the eldest, a bright girl of twelve, -‘now you shall show the others the hiding-place -where we put the box of bricks.’</p> - -<p>A cry of delight greeted this proposal. Isabel ran -gaily in front to lead the party into her own little<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span> -bedroom, where, under a loose plank, which this -observant child had discovered, and the knowledge -of which she had kept to herself with that marvellous -secrecy of which children are sometimes capable, -lay—the Humbert millions!</p> - -<p>Isabel was a little disappointed to find, when the -box was opened, that her bricks had been changed -into stupid pieces of paper. But I explained that a -fairy had been at work, and that a new and better -set of bricks would arrive by the next post.</p> - -<p>And so, I am relieved to say, terminated my connection -with the Humbert Case.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span><br /></p> - -<h2 class="p3 nobreak" id="XII">XII<br /> - -<span class="fs80">THE BLACK POPE</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent">I must be pardoned if I exercise a certain reserve -in telling the story of the most delicate of all the -affairs in which I have been engaged. While the -interests concerned were, in their own nature, purely -political, the fact that they centred round the -spiritual Head of Christendom imposes on me restraints -which I am bound to recognise.</p> - -<p>I cannot recall at this moment whether, in the -course of these reminiscences, I have had occasion -to mention that I was honoured on several occasions -by the confidence of the illustrious Pontiff who, in -the course of less than a generation, exalted the -Papacy to a height of power and reverent esteem -such as it had scarcely enjoyed since the Middle -Ages.</p> - -<p>To me, as to all who have paid any attention to -the history of their own times, the passing away of -Leo XIII. marked an epoch in the history of the -world. I was in Paris, awaiting the announcement -which would plunge two continents into mourning,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span> -when, an hour before the fatal bulletin reached the -newspaper offices, I received a despatch desiring me -to start immediately for Rome, and wait upon the -young King of Italy in the Palace of the Quirinal.</p> - -<p>Whether in consequence of my connection with -the Vatican or not, it happened that I had never -been directly employed in the service of the House -of Savoy. I have told the story of my unavailing -efforts to save the life of King Humbert; but on -that occasion I acted as the agent of the friendly -monarch of another country.</p> - -<p>During my journey to Rome in obedience to the -royal summons, my mind was deeply exercised by -the problem presented by the disastrous breach -between the Italian Kingship and the Papacy.</p> - -<p>When the troops of Victor Emmanuel I., thirty-four -years ago, marched into the City of the Popes, to -make it the capital of United Italy, no one foresaw -the difficulties which would flow from the refusal -of the Popes to abandon their rights as the temporal -Sovereigns of Rome and the States of the -Church.</p> - -<p>Other dethroned sovereigns have fled from their -lost dominions, and gradually sunk out of sight. But -the Popes, seated in the Vatican, and solemnly excommunicating -the dynasty which has displaced -them, have rendered insecure the whole fabric of -the Italian monarchy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span></p> - -<p>I myself, divided between my political sympathies -as an American citizen, and my loyalty as a Catholic -to the Head of my Church, had often sought in vain -for some way of reconciling the venerable rights of -the Chair of Peter with the patriotic aspirations of -the Italian people.</p> - -<p>The various solutions put forward from time to -time, such as the cession to the Pope of a small slice -of territory including the Vatican, seemed to me -inadequate and mean. Some loftier treatment of -the situation seemed to be called for, but no statesman, -ecclesiastical or secular, had yet been found -to propose it.</p> - -<p>Now, with the accession of a new Pope, it was -possible to indulge hopes of a new policy. I encouraged -myself to believe that Victor Emmanuel II. -had sent for me that I might assist him in such an -endeavour.</p> - -<p>The character of this young ruler had already -aroused my interest and curiosity. In his father’s -lifetime he was unknown to the public until he suddenly -stepped into the foreground, at the time of the -Abyssinian disasters, as the determined opponent of -Crispi’s policy of adventure, and the champion of -peace.</p> - -<p>Since his accession he had won golden opinions by -his modesty, benevolence, and practical energy in the -work of government. But he had as yet given no<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> -indications of any marked individuality or policy of -his own.</p> - -<p>Within an hour of my arrival in Rome I found -myself in his Majesty’s presence.</p> - -<p>His reception of me was not merely gracious but -cordial. In a few well-chosen words he thanked -me for my services at the time of the tragedy of -Monza.</p> - -<p>‘I believe you have been employed in the secret -service of the Vatican?’ King Victor proceeded.</p> - -<p>I bowed again.</p> - -<p>‘Will you tell me whether that constitutes any -obstacle to your serving me?’ he inquired.</p> - -<p>I hesitated.</p> - -<p>‘I should feel embarrassed if your Majesty were to -ask me to act <em>against</em> the Vatican,’ I ventured to -say.</p> - -<p>‘But suppose I were to ask you to undertake the -office of mediator, to promote a reconciliation between -the Papacy and the Italian nation?’</p> - -<p>‘Then, sire, you would be offering me the task -which I covet above all others, and which I should -feel to be the crown of my career.’</p> - -<p>The young King made a gesture of delight.</p> - -<p>‘That is fortunate indeed! Listen, monsieur! -From a boy my heart has bled at the thought of this -miserable estrangement, so fraught with danger to the -cause of religion as well as to the national freedom.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span> -In addition I must tell you that I feel very deeply my -own position. I have a conviction that our House -cannot prosper while it remains under the curse of -the Church.</p> - -<p>‘As far as I am concerned,’ Victor Emmanuel went -on, ‘there is no sacrifice I am not prepared to make, -even to the laying down of my crown, in order to win -the forgiveness of the Holy See, and to establish -good relations between the Church and the nation. -But I need not say that I can do nothing by myself. -Unless I can succeed in carrying the Parliament and -the people with me, I should simply make things -worse than they are at present.’</p> - -<p>His Majesty paused for a minute, and then -resumed, watching my face anxiously.</p> - -<p>‘I have been seeking for years for some means of -appeasing the Holy Father that would not be rejected -by the secular politicians. And the plan which has -developed itself in my mind is this:—</p> - -<p>‘In the Middle Ages, perhaps I need not remind -you, the Popes enjoyed but a scanty authority in the -Roman States. Their authority was defied by the -usurping barons, and even in the City of Rome they -frequently saw authority exercised by the senate and -people. Yet at the very same epoch they were -wielding tremendous powers over Europe; they were -able to dethrone emperors; a King of England laid -down his crown at the feet of a Papal Legate; and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span> -the Kings of Naples acknowledged the suzerainty of -the Popes by an annual tribute.’</p> - -<p>I began to see what was coming, and testified my -admiration by a glance.</p> - -<p>‘I propose,’ King Victor said impressively, ‘to -acknowledge the Holy Father as the suzerain of the -Italian kingdom. I am prepared to lay my crown at -his feet, and to receive it again as his gift. I propose -to hold myself as the vassal of his Holiness, to pay -a tribute, instead of the pension which has been -refused, and to exercise my power of veto over legislation -in obedience to the Pope’s directions. In -short, I am willing to efface myself, and to govern -Italy as the deputy of the Holy See.’</p> - -<p>I listened with deep emotion to the noble young -King as he unfolded his scheme, a scheme in which -it was evident that he intended himself to be the -sacrifice which would procure peace. At the same -time I perceived certain difficulties in the way. The -successors of St. Peter, in modern times at all events, -had been accustomed to rule over their limited -dominions as absolute monarchs. Was it to be hoped -that they would consent to accept a constitutional -authority in exchange, even though that authority -extended over the whole peninsula?</p> - -<p>Yet the See of Rome, as suzerain of Italy, would -be able to re-enter the field of international politics -as a great Power. Alliances might follow which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span> -would place the Pope in the position of president -over a great Catholic league embracing Austria, -Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and possibly France as -well, to say nothing of the powerful leverage which -the Church was able to exercise over the policy of -semi-Catholic powers, such as Germany, Great Britain, -and the United States.</p> - -<p>Carried away by these dazzling visions, I exclaimed -aloud—</p> - -<p>‘I believe in your Majesty! If only the new Pope -will accept your plans!’</p> - -<p>King Victor flushed with gratification at my outburst.</p> - -<p>‘That is the task I am going to intrust to you,’ -he announced. ‘I have made careful inquiries, -and I believe there is one Cardinal who, if he -were elected, would be likely to welcome my overtures.’</p> - -<p>‘And his name, sire?’</p> - -<p>‘Cardinal Sarto, the Patriarch-Archbishop of -Venice.’</p> - -<p>My face fell. I had scarcely heard of his Eminence -of Venice by name. Certainly he was not among -those cardinals—the <em>Papabili</em>, as they are termed—whose -candidature was taken seriously by the ecclesiastical -politicians of the Vatican.</p> - -<p>‘Is Cardinal Sarto a possible candidate, sire?’ I -ventured to object.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span></p> - -<p>‘You must make him so,’ King Victor said -earnestly. ‘I rely on you to secure his election.’</p> - -<p>Although not lacking in self-confidence, I shrank -before this tremendous task. Apart from my -scruples as a Catholic—and I was by no means sure -how far it was lawful for a layman to interfere in a -Papal election—I doubted my power to influence the -choice of the Sacred College in the short time at my -disposal.</p> - -<p>‘In ten days from now the Conclave will begin,’ I -murmured reflectively.</p> - -<p>‘I know it,’ broke in Victor Emmanuel. ‘I want -you to be present in the Conclave as my secret -agent.’</p> - -<p>I trembled. The secrecy of the Conclave is guarded -with the greatest care. In what way could I possibly -gain admission to the private deliberations of the -Cardinals?</p> - -<p>The King answered my unspoken doubts.</p> - -<p>‘In ten days the Cardinals will enter the Conclave, -each with a single attendant, and the door will be -walled up, not to be reopened until Christendom -again has a Pope. It is necessary for you to be inside -that walled-up door.’</p> - -<p>‘I must enter in the character of attendant to one -of the Cardinals!’ I exclaimed.</p> - -<p>‘You must enter as the servant of Cardinal Salvatierra,’ -his Majesty declared.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span></p> - -<p>I frowned slightly. It seemed to me that my -employer, in his enthusiasm, was going a little too -fast. I did not like having so much arranged for me -in advance. This Cardinal Salvatierra, who was he; -and in what way had he come to lend himself to the -purpose of the King of Italy?</p> - -<p>‘Does the Cardinal enjoy your Majesty’s confidence?’ -I asked drily.</p> - -<p>‘Not in the sense that you do, Monsieur V——,’ -the King answered. ‘Salvatierra is one of the -ornamental members of the College. He is a scholar -and antiquarian, not a Churchman or politician. His -collection of intaglios is said to be the finest in -Rome.’</p> - -<p>‘May I venture to ask how much his Eminence -has been told?’</p> - -<p>‘Only that I desire the election of a Pope who will -be well disposed towards Italy. It has always been -customary for the Sacred College to receive representations -from the Catholic Powers of their views -and wishes on the subject of Papal election. The -only irregularity in this case is that, as the Italian -kingdom is not recognised by the Papacy, I can only -communicate with the College indirectly.’</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp59" id="i_296" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_296.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“I found the Cardinal absorbed in the inspection of his newly -arrived treasures.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>I listened to his Majesty with considerable inward -misgiving. I was more than a little afraid of the -guilt I might be incurring by entering the Conclave. -At the same time I told myself that Cardinal Salvatierra -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span>had a right to introduce whom he pleased as -his attendant; and if he was satisfied to take me, it -was not for me to raise objections.</p> - -<p>After some further conversation with his Majesty, -I retired to a hotel and effected a transformation -which gave me the appearance of a respectable upper -servant, such as a steward or valet, in an Italian -noble family. Thus attired, I made my way round -to the Salvatierra Palace, and sent up my name to -his Eminence as Jacopo Luigi.</p> - -<p>‘I doubt if his Eminence will receive you to-night,’ -the porter informed me. ‘A case of exquisite cameos -of untold value has just arrived for his collection—a -gift from some great personage, I believe; and his -Eminence is hard at work unpacking them.’</p> - -<p>I had my own suspicion as to the source of this -truly regal offering, and felt more than ever uneasy as -to the lawfulness of my proceedings.</p> - -<p>However, it was not long before a message came -down that I was to go up and wait upon his Eminence -at once.</p> - -<p>I found the Cardinal absorbed in the inspection -of his newly arrived treasures. Holding a delicate -camel’s-hair brush in one hand, he was going over -the cameos, carefully removing every speck of dust -and holding them up to the light in search of possible -blemishes.</p> - -<p>His Eminence was a tall, stately personage, refined<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span> -and ascetic in feature, with a faded blue eye which -fell on me with an expression of the most complete -indifference.</p> - -<p>‘You are Jacopo Luigi,’ he observed, glancing -towards a letter which lay open on a pier-table. -‘My nephew, Count Baldachino, recommends you -to me very strongly. He says’—the Cardinal interrupted -himself to scrutinise a fresh gem with the -minutest care—‘he says that you are thoroughly discreet -and faithful. You understand the particular -necessity for discretion in my service, no doubt?’</p> - -<p>He took his eye off the cameo for an instant, to -dart a glance at me, so keen and penetrating that it -was as if a hidden man had suddenly sprung to the -window and looked out. Before I could respond, the -Cardinal’s back was turned to me again, and he was -dusting away harder than ever.</p> - -<p>‘I perfectly understand, Eminence,’ I muttered.</p> - -<p>‘That is quite right, then. I take you into my -service. At a salary of 800 lire. Introduce yourself -to the master of my household.’</p> - -<p>These sentences were punctuated by eager movements, -as his Eminence proceeded in his examination -of the newly arrived treasures.</p> - -<p>I waited for more, but finding that the Cardinal -had apparently forgotten my presence, in his antiquarian -enthusiasm, I moved towards the door and -withdrew.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span></p> - -<p>I need not describe the household. I found myself -received at first with the jealousy natural on the part -of old servants towards a new comer, but I soon got -on good terms with those whom I wished to conciliate.</p> - -<p>From the gossip of the servants’ hall I gathered -many important hints about the forthcoming election.</p> - -<p>Had merit only been considered, the long and important -services of Cardinal Rampolla would have -given him a paramount claim on the tiara. But his -strength of character had aroused the dread of those -Cardinals who consider that a weak Pope means a -powerful College, and <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">vice versâ</i>.</p> - -<p>Various other names were being talked about as -popular candidates, but among them I did not once -catch that of King Victor’s nominee, the saintly, -simple-hearted Archbishop of Venice.</p> - -<p>Each of the two great Mendicant Orders, the -Dominicans and Franciscans, had its favourite, for -whom the brethren were eagerly working. But I -could not learn the name of any Cardinal who was -being supported by the ubiquitous and powerful -Company of Jesus.</p> - -<p>This was in itself a suspicious sign. The jealousy—perhaps -I ought to say the fear—of the Jesuits -entertained by the ordinary hierarchy of the Church -is so intense that in all probability if the Jesuits had -shown their hand by openly supporting a particular<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span> -Cardinal, that would have been enough to ensure his -exclusion.</p> - -<p>I could only surmise that they were working in -the dark, or, perhaps, waiting for the opportunity to -intervene and turn the scale between the final candidates.</p> - -<p>As soon as the obsequies of Leo XIII. had been -duly performed, the Cardinals in solemn procession -entered the Hall of the Conclave, and the doors were -locked.</p> - -<p>Inside the vast chamber a small wooden cell, just -large enough to contain a narrow bed and a chair, had -been erected for the accommodation of each Cardinal.</p> - -<p>The occupation of these tiny compartments was -decided by lot, so it will be understood that I experienced -a sensation of uneasy surprise on finding -that Cardinal Salvatierra had obtained the cubicle -adjoining that of the Patriarch of Venice.</p> - -<p>I do not feel myself at liberty to violate the secrecy -of the Conclave by relating minutely the steps which -I took to secure support for Cardinal Sarto. I obtained -a few votes in the first ballot, but not enough -to afford any promise of ultimate success.</p> - -<p>Cardinal Rampolla struck his first and last blow. -He polled his full number of votes, and fell short of -the requisite two-thirds majority. Then realising that -the jealousy of his great powers was too strong to be -overcome, he retired from the contest.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span></p> - -<p>This left the field open to the two rival Mendicant -Orders. Their nominees, whom I think it more -respectful not to name, polled vote for vote, but -neither could command anything like the number of -suffrages required.</p> - -<p>It appeared likely that the Conclave would last -some time. In the second ballot I was surprised -to find that a fair number of votes was given to -my supposed master. Cardinal Salvatierra appeared -equally surprised, and a little annoyed by this circumstance.</p> - -<p>‘I wish they would ignore me,’ he said testily, -when I brought him his dinner. ‘They know I am -not a possible Pope, and they will injure me with the -successful candidate.’</p> - -<p>I said nothing, but an idea was already germinating -in my mind. Before the next scrutiny I waited with -the utmost secrecy upon the two Cardinals who were -managing the election on behalf of the Dominicans -and Franciscans respectively.</p> - -<p>To each of their Eminences I said practically the -same thing.</p> - -<p>‘You cannot succeed in carrying your nominee. -Neither can your rivals. Meanwhile the Jesuits are -secretly preparing to gather in the scattered votes -and concentrate them on their own candidate.’</p> - -<p>‘Who is that?’ was the eager question I received -in each case.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span></p> - -<p>‘You will see in the next scrutiny. Unless you -stand firm, and refuse to accede, you will have a -Jesuit Pope.’</p> - -<p>This threat was necessary, because when a candidate -obtains so large a proportion of votes as to make -his election seem certain at the next ballot, it is a -very usual thing for the supporters of the beaten -candidates to go over at once, in order to have the -credit of voting for the new Pope.</p> - -<p>The next scrutiny was taken. The name of Salvatierra -came out high upon the list, wanting only -four votes of the two-thirds majority. The Franciscan -and Dominican Cardinals stood firm. But the unsuspecting -Archbishop of Venice, who did not dream -that his own candidature was anything but a side -manœuvre, earnestly implored his own few supporters -to accede to Salvatierra, and thus complete the election -of a Pope.</p> - -<p>Fortunately I had anticipated this action on his -part, and had obtained the most binding pledges -from the few Cardinals I had won over. There was -no election, and Salvatierra returned to his cell, -unable to conceal his mortification.</p> - -<p>‘Luigi,’ he said to me that night, ‘you have seen -how things are going. Against my will I am -destined to receive the tiara. This places us both -in a different position. You have done your best -to serve the personage who desired me to take you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span> -into my service, and it is not your fault that you -have failed to secure the election of a pro-Italian -Cardinal. Now I can place it in your power to -achieve the same end by another means. If you -will give me the King’s votes in the next ballot, -I will pledge myself to negotiate in a friendly and -liberal spirit for the settlement of the differences -between the Papacy and the Kingdom.’</p> - -<p>‘Your Eminence can escape from the burden of -the triple crown,’ I replied, with affected simplicity, -‘by causing your own supporters to accede to any -one of the other candidates.’</p> - -<p>‘You mean to Cardinal Sarto,’ his Eminence retorted. -‘You do not suppose that my friends would -elect a Dominican or Franciscan puppet? Let me -warn you, my dear Signor Luigi, or Monsieur V——, -that the Cardinal on whom your master places his -reliance, is not strong enough to carry out the -reconciliation you desire. <ins class="corr" id="tn-303" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'Guiseppe Sarto'"> -Giuseppe Sarto</ins> is a saint, not a statesman.’</p> - -<p>I felt there was some truth in this warning, but -I had my instructions, and I could not in this -case look beyond them. I promised to weigh his -Eminence’s words, and retired to sound the feeling -of the Conclave.</p> - -<p>I found that the election was already virtually -decided. The extraordinary leap upward of Salvatierra, -following on my warning, had convinced the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span> -two Mendicant Orders of their danger. They had -communicated their own fears and suspicions to the -rest of the College, and the fatal whisper—‘The -Jesuit candidate’—had already run round the Conclave. -The two Orders having agreed to withdraw -their champions, there remained only one candidate -in the field.</p> - -<p>At the next ballot Cardinal Sarto, the nominee of -the excommunicated King of Italy, was triumphantly -elected Pope.</p> - -<p>The amazement of the saintly prelate, who had -remained in profound ignorance of the whole of the -negotiations and intrigues, softened the hearts of -even his rivals, and convinced the most worldly-minded -of the electors that they had involuntarily -made the right choice.</p> - -<p>Salvatierra was the first to offer the kiss of -homage to his new sovereign. His Eminence’s -parting words to myself as we quitted the Conclave -made me fear that my triumph was more apparent -than real.</p> - -<p>‘You have chosen the White Pope, Monsieur -V——. It remains to see how you will fare at the -hands of the Black Pope.’</p> - -<p>He returned to his palace and his curiosities, to -all appearance well contented to resume his <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">rôle</i> -of harmless antiquary.</p> - -<p>But I did not doubt that a full report of all that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span> -had passed would be laid at once before the formidable -personage with whose opposition he had -threatened me.</p> - -<p>In a villa a short distance outside the walls of -Rome resides an ascetic recluse, never seen in any -public ceremonies, visited only from time to time -by a few quietly dressed priests and laymen, to all -appearance as insignificant as himself. This is the -Black Pope—in other words, the General of the -Company of Jesus.</p> - -<p>Very soon after the election of Pius X. I applied -for and obtained a private interview with his -Holiness.</p> - -<p>My previous connection with the secret service of -the Vatican rendered this easy.</p> - -<p>To no one but the Holy Father himself did I -intend to reveal my character as the agent of Victor -Emmanuel II.</p> - -<p>So great was my veneration for the Vicar of Christ, -so intense my admiration for the personal character -of the new Pope, that I had determined never to -confess to his Holiness the part which I had played -in his election, lest his wrath should fall upon me in -consequence.</p> - -<p>As I knelt before Pius X. in the small and simply -furnished room in which he had chosen to install -himself, I saw his eye fall on me with an expression -of pity and curiosity.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span></p> - -<p>‘You do well to kneel, my son,’ the Holy Father -said, in a low, gentle voice. ‘You have erred very -grievously.’</p> - -<p>I looked up in astonishment. Pius X. -pointed to a small table which stood beside his -chair.</p> - -<p>‘What do you see there?’ he asked, preserving the -same tone of mild reproof.</p> - -<p>I glanced at the table, and beheld a portion of -a railway ticket.</p> - -<p>‘When I left Venice a fortnight ago, I took a -return ticket,’ the Pope continued. ‘What you see -is the half which I am never going to use. Take it. -It will be a souvenir for you, and may remind you -to beware of the vanity of meddling in spiritual -concerns.’</p> - -<p>Amazed by this form of address, I rose from my -knees, and respectfully possessed myself of the -precious keepsake, which I thrust into my inmost -pocket.</p> - -<p>‘I came to Rome,’ the Holy Father pursued calmly, -‘without other hope or ambition than to record my -vote for the most worthy member of the Sacred -College. Even had I wished to be Pope I should -not have been presumptuous enough to put myself -forward as a candidate for the Chair of Saint -Peter.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp50" id="i_306" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_306.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“Saddened and subdued, I quitted the audience chamber of Pius X.”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>‘It appears that there were others, with more -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span>worldly motives, who entertained ambitions of the -kind. For my part, when I learned that some -Cardinals had recorded their votes for me I had -no feeling but one of surprise and chagrin. I -suspected that I was being used as a stalking-horse -on behalf of others. I could not dream that -a layman had dared to interfere in the election -at the bidding of a usurper who is outside the -pale of Christian fellowship, under the curse of -the Church!’</p> - -<p>I trembled as I perceived that some one had been -beforehand with me, and had narrated my proceedings -to his Holiness, no doubt with a gloss which -had caused Pius X. to take the worst view of my -action.</p> - -<p>‘Fortunately your rash and evil designs were -overruled for good. Unknown to yourself, you -were an instrument in the hands of others. While -you were watching you were watched. Pious and -vigilant men, the faithful soldiers of the Church -Militant, who had no object of their own to serve, -and who only sought the good of the Church, -were aware all along of your proceedings, your -true employer, and his secret aims. You sought -to place in the Chair of Peter an obedient tool -of the House of Savoy. The watchful guardians -of the Church resolved that you should be instrumental -in the elevation of one who, however<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span> -unworthy, is at least free from the passion of worldly -ambition.’</p> - -<p>I would fain have spoken, but the Holy Father -imposed silence on me by a stern gesture.</p> - -<p>‘The candidature of his Eminence Cardinal -Salvatierra was a ruse, to which the zealous persons -I speak of were obliged to resort, in order to throw -dust in your eyes. From the first they had determined -to ensure my election, if it could be brought -about without using improper means of influencing -the Sacred College. They checkmated you, without -your perceiving it.</p> - -<p>‘Now you may go and tell the rash young King -who used you as his agent that his designs have -miscarried. I sit here, neither his nominee nor -his creature, but the duly chosen Head of the -Roman Church, and I call upon him to retire -from the territories bestowed upon the Church by -Constantine.’</p> - -<p>I listened with feelings of stupefaction and despair. -The story which had been told the Pope was so nearly -true that I had no scope for contradiction; it had -been so skilfully coloured that I realised that any -attempt at explanation or denial would fail of its -effect.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp84" id="i_308" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i_308.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“‘I can only render one more service to your Majesty, and that is to advise you -to make your peace with the Black Pope.’”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>In fact I had been guilty of very nearly what I -stood accused of. The reproaches of Pius X. were -an echo of the whispers of my conscience. I had -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span>elected a Pope, but my presumption in doing so -had made that very Pope an enemy of the sovereign -whom I had served too well.</p> - -<p>‘Will your Holiness condescend to hear me?’ I -implored. ‘The Jesuits——’</p> - -<p>‘Silence!’ his Holiness commanded. ‘I will not -listen to a word against those devoted men, whose -value, and whose loyalty to the Holy See, I now -understand for the first time. If your master, the -King of Sardinia,<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> desires to learn the conditions -on which he may obtain his pardon from the Holy -See, I advise him to apply to—Cardinal Salvatierra.’</p> - -<p>Cardinal Salvatierra! I recalled the Cardinal’s -parting words—‘You have chosen the White Pope; -it remains to see how you will fare at the hands -of the Black Pope.’</p> - -<p>Saddened and subdued, I quitted the audience-chamber -of Pius X., and repaired to that of Victor -Emmanuel II.</p> - -<p>‘I have carried out your Majesty’s instructions. -Cardinal Sarto is the new Pope. And now I can -only render one more service to your Majesty, and -that is——’</p> - -<p>‘And that is?’ the King exclaimed.</p> - -<p>‘To advise you to make your peace with the Black -Pope!’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span></p> - -<p>I prefer to say no more. It would be imprudent -on my part to embarrass a situation already bristling -with difficulties, by indicating the steps which still -remain to be taken before peace can be restored -between the two mighty powers represented by the -Vatican and the Quirinal.</p> - - -<hr class="p3 r10" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> -<div class="footnotes"><h2 class="nobreak">FOOTNOTES:</h2> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> As I have stated already, whenever in the course of these -disclosures I repeat a private conversation, I do so in the interest -of the other party to it, if not in every case with his express permission.—A. V.</p> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> The title of King of Italy is not recognised by the Vatican.—A. V.</p> -</div> -</div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="fulla" /> - - <div class="bbox2"> -<div class="bbox"> -<p class="pfs120">“<em>Reminds one of Cranford.</em>”</p> - -<p class="fs90 right padr4"><cite>London Telegraph.</cite></p> - -<p class="pfs240 bold lsp2">Lavender and<br />Old Lace</p> - -<p class="pfs120 bold lsp2">By MYRTLE REED</p> - -<p class="fs70 negin2">Author of “The Shadow of Victory,” “Love Letters of a -Musician,” etc. 12<sup>o</sup>. (Postage, 10 cents.) $1.50 net.</p> -</div> - -<table class="autotable" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="wd33"> -<div class="bbox"> -<p class="left"><em>Dainty and full -of delicate fancy, -this new work -of a favorite -writer charms -by its manner, -pleases by its -cleverness, and -interests by its -tale of true love, -which sentiment -is treated -as the most -exalting of -emotions, but -without the -slightest touch -of materialism</em></p> -</div> -</td> - -<td> -<div class="bbox"> -<p class="pfs80 bold"><em>A Book to be Enjoyed</em></p> - -<p class="fs70">“With exquisite skill quite her own, -the author individualizes in this gracefully -told story, the heart’s devotion as -the most exalted and exalting emotion. -Miss Reed has the rare genius of attuning -love to thrilling heights without a touch -of coarse materialism. Withal she builds -on a practical plane, since her characterization -is human.”—<cite>Chicago Journal.</cite></p> - -<p class="p1 fs70">“A perfectly exquisite little tale, simply -genuine, effecting and, rarest of all, fragrant.... -A dainty and beautiful -little story, full of the scent of lavender -and of the atmosphere that clings to old -farmhouses, filled with colonial furniture -and china.... In this book all is -beautiful, quiet, serene and charming; -the story is touched with the most human -love, joy, suffering and tears.... -The thing is a gem, simply fresh, wholesome -and artistic, even in its abundance -of humor and pathos, a book to refresh -your soul.”—<cite>Boston Herald.</cite></p> -</div> -</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<div class="bbox"> -<p class="pfs120 bold">G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS<br /> - -<span class="fs90"><em>New York</em> <span class="pad50pc"><em>London</em></span></span></p> -</div> - </div> - - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="bbox2"> -<p class="fs120 lsp2 noindent">THE TERM</p> - -<p class="pfs240">“Detective Story”</p> - -<p class="noindent">covers a multitude of sins. The plot is -apt to be weird, the evidence does not fit -the crime, the detective is altogether too -clever. In</p> - -<p class="pfs240 bold"><cite>A Master Hand</cite></p> - -<hr class="r70" /> -<hr class="r70" /> - -<p class="pfs120 bold lsp">The Story of a Crime</p> - -<p class="pfs90 smcap">By RICHARD DALLAS</p> - -<p class="noindent">the story is reasonable. The author is -a former District Attorney of a large -city, who is naturally familiar with the -ways of the criminal. While the plot is -peculiarly interesting and complex there is -nothing artificial about it.</p> - -<p class="fs70">“All the elements of a good detective story and more.”—<cite>N. Y. -Times.</cite></p> - -<p class="fs70">“There is a surprise which is absolutely new in the annals -of detective stories.”—<cite>Commercial Advertiser.</cite></p> - -<p class="fs70">“It is sane and there is no marvellous (and <em>impossible</em>) -acumen displayed in ferreting out the criminal.”—<cite>Nashville -American.</cite></p> - -<hr class="r30a" /> -<p class="pfs70 bold">12mo. With frontispiece. Net, $1.00. Postage 10c.</p> -<hr class="r30a" /> - -<p class="pfs70 bold">New York—<span class="fs180">G. P. 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