The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-31

eMy visit is quite uncercmonious.'
TO BUSINESS THEN.
"I expect no fogmali.y, my dear sir said laugh
ingy.
we will talk business. then, at once said tho o.
fcer, whose RANK have purposely omitted mention
ing
:.sAt your service
.swe know each other, Mr.. Brownell, and you have
good reason to know that do joke about matters
Of business Can you I'LL large order for small arms
and ammunition? p
's'How they wantcd?'
'stAt the earliest possible hour.'
"sHow large is the order9
"'A very large oue'
..sLook bore. my iriond,' aad !, III am expected
to give your proposition any consideration cannot
do so upon such evas,vo replies l must hsse some
deGnite informarion.'
".OLcourse you must
".Give u me, thon.
personally, am net in possosssn OF the :Aiorna-
ton you wish
"sAre proposals to he sent iu?'
"sNo'
"sSend ne the specifications. then, and esa give
you answer in an hours time
$50. you think you Oil the order"
81 believe I can, provided NO can agree as 70
prices
WAITING FOR
".Thsn Will make an appointment for ycu II nine
O'Clock tomorrow night. will call and accompany
You to The house Of gentleman who viii have full
authority 10 Conclude such contract
However unsatisfactory this may appear at pres
ont, 1 am conteated,' said l. a. shook hands and
bowed MIN ont.
ut mas the last night in October. The eyes Of the
world we're centred the terrible struggle between
France and Germany. II seemed as II united Ger.
many crushing dtsorganizcd France 10 the earth,
never more 10 rise. Only two days previously Ba-
zane had surrendered the virgin fortress OF Metz,
with its liz, 900 men, Aeld marshals and generals.
Tho disaster at Sedan completely ovsrshadowed
by this last calamity and already the Investment OF
the French capital itself had begun. The strait in
which the newly declared French Republic found
itself was dreadful TO contemplate. loved France!
Could q republic In such time survive?
II walked to the window, and, opening the blinds
locked out upon the Ring Srasse tho finest thorough
faro In Vienna If not in all Europe. Tho night was
too cold and wet 10 stroll out, so went to bed
GATHERING THE FACTS
"During the following day made careful estimates
for furnishing 10000 25 600 and 1000 guns-so much
If breech leaders and much II muzzle-loaders. The
ammunition caused me anxiety; knew whore
that could be made in IA weeks time. have onlya
reasonable of curiosity, but 1t is certain that
was rather unsatsAsd with tho indefinite condition
in which the affair Stood I could 500 reason Tor
such mystery.
.At the hour appointed met the Austrian officer
in the lobby and took cab in the street. half
hours drive landed the door Of large residence
on one OF the best streets In tho city knock adj
United US aud shown at once into a library
OF magnificent proportions on the second floor. The
servant apparently knew my companion, and had evi.
dently had Instructions from his master In the
centre Of the apartment, gathered about large DESK
aA hasa Ian
over him examining Typographical map spread ous
before them.
AN IMPORTANT MEETING.
.sTho gentlemen rose as we entered, and was In.
troduced by my companion. never am at q loss to
recall the lace Of person whom have once seen,
and instantly recognized of the gentlemen pres
emit, having met him Two years before at Nice. Tho
man OF the house very reserved, and said very
little at first; the two others were vvacious and vol
uble. talking and laughing in the happest manner l
naturally supposed that they constituted govern
meut committee intrusted with the giving out OF
contract for war material
sswithout more ado tho subject Of furnishing tho
arms broaohod by tho army officer, and laid my
memoranda before the committee, stating that the
| neures were approximately accurate, but depended
! somewhat upon the ,mo and place OF delivery.
| ..soms time spent 10 closely examining my
I estimates, ana several questions were asked
garding the value OF the ech-Ioadng arm
parcd with the muzzle- loader unhesitatingIy pro-
nounced In favor Of the weapon and described It's
effectiveness compared with the old one. stated,
however that II large order "a. 900 guns
were contemplated the weapons would have to be
| made They were not in the Market tho great In
progress having exhausted all the In store In
| Europe and America
| A QUESTION OF TINE.
s'Tness remarks had, perccptbly, depressing
| effect upon the silent of the party. He turned
| and asked with savage anxiety
".How soon you supply 100000 brcech- leaders?
| Time. not terms!'
| II confess that inclined TO smile than to
| got angry, although Was annoyed Only govern
| mont could want SO many guns, aud knew worry well
| that In that there must DO public trial Of
| weapons and a tender according TO specifications:
| thersiore, said,
/ .sBefore 4 make contracts OF shat extent with
private is1ividnals rs my habit to require that
third purchase money he deposited IN bank ~
forfeit ~ case she goods are not takon.'
| the noNEy WAITING.
4Ycu need not give yourself any anxiety about
the money answered the other. mildly. An
amount sucsnt tor the purpose Is already on deposit
IN tho London and Vienna houses OF the largest bank
ing Grm the world OF this fact you shall be as
surod by personal visits to tho banks Themselves.
! Only show as that tho arms can DO secured
"rbe Austrian oficer SAID, iaoonicay, the money
wa,ts'
4 ..whsre arc those arms 70 be delivered asked.
sou the Thames or the German coast was ths
reply.
.sConsignsd In the regular way''
".Certainiy; We will take all risks thas they 60
the proper Destination
| srhcy might even DO landed at Trieste, II IL wout
aoiii,a.s matters any interrupted the Aus trial
officer
THAT would be moro difncu;,, said /, ANA woul,
REQUIRE q longer time
" WELL then, at London exclaimed the frs
sneaker, impauoptly Fix limit oil time
| AT THE EARdEsr
"sTwo hundred thousand guns, $50 days.