The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-02
Copyrighted. 1895.
CHAPTER V.

As said at the beginning, this audsc-
ious publication OF the treaty whilst the
congress was still in sitting caused the
most profound sensation throughout Ea-
rope. Even lie Grand, am bitious ss he
was, must have been satisfied. His name
was In every ones mouth: How had he he
possibly managed to pluck from the di-
plomatists their secret? For no one doubt
sd-or, indeed, could doubt-that, in the
main, the treaty as published in the Dial
was genuine. To the initiated II was
clear that il could not be mere clever
invention.
The dipIonatist themselves were in de-
spair. True, they maintained an appear
ance of serenity, but they were really at
their wits ends 10 know how TO account
for the trick that had been played upon
them, and how to repair the mischief
that had been done.
OF course, they did what diplomatists
always do in such cases they disavowed
the treaty as published. They could do
this safely, as II was now a certainty that
some OF the most important provisions
would have TO be modified; but this dis
vaowsl il such a stereotyped resource of
embarrassed diplomacy that IL did not de-
ceive even the outside world. And, OF
course, IL could have no effect on their
own state of mind. They looked askance
at each other; they felt themselves be-
trayed by one of their own number. 1t
useless. Yet, for the sake OF appearances,
they continued TO meet and to discuss
the clauses OF the treaty. But as Count
s rievaljieff said to the prince, az far as
secrecy was concerned, IL seemed as IL
they might as well meet in the market
place as in the foreign Office.
Here, however, | may at once say. that
these fears proved unfounded. The se-
Crecy OF their proceedings was not again
violated, and in due course they pieced to-
gether another treaty which did not suffer
from premature publication, and which
holds good 10 the present day.
Ii was generally thought that their sue
cess at the second attempt was due to lie
Grand's absence. He had brought off his
great coup and he took care not TO return
Ii might even have been dangerous for
him to do so, for il was certainly through
his agency thai the draft-treaty, how
ever obtained, had been published.
Whether he ever suspected me OF having
tricked him in the matter OF the envelope
] do not know. He never made any sug-
gestion TO that effect. In fact. be was
not at all the man 10 allow that he could
by any possibility be outwitted. And in
everything connected with the treaty he
kept up an air of mystery content with
the evident fact that in some way or other
be had accomplished what had seemed to
be impossible.
And, yet great though his triumph
Il
Of his death hs knew exactly how he had
been enabled TO achieve 1t. And IL was
by the merest chance that lighted on
the discovery.
The Dial with its unwelcome contents
had reached the prince on Saturday. On
the Sunday evening visited him again.
He was lying on the couch as usual, and
looking very wretched.
"Do you mind writing q letter or two
for mel" he said, after the first prelimi-
nary greetings. "You are always SO
good and kind. And have been obliged
to give Maubeuge q holiday today"
or course i was delighted to be OF any
service. He dictated one or two short
notes and, when had written them, he
said:
az hope you will dine with me this eve-
ming. am really depending on you to
81 the treaty has been such grievous
blow to me-
acceptecd his invitation.
NOW don run away meanwhile" he
odded. 81 generally take a little nap, as
3ou know, at this time, but / shant be |
Asleep more than half an hour. Mean
while, there are the journals, or perhaps |
you have some letters to write"
"Thank you, 1 said, "thst will suit |
me admirably. j will plunge into my |
correspondence while you take q dive in
to oblivion
The prince answered with a smile.
Then he poured some chloroform on /
his handkerchief, threw the latter over
his face, and was asleep almost immedi- |
ately. Meanwhile, had taken a sheet OF
paper and had written few lines, when,
to my great astonishment, heard q muf-
fed voice in the room. For the moment
did not realize that II was the prince
who was speaking. When / did realize
II, pricked up my ears involuntarily.
What was ne bsbbling about in his mar
cofic siumberY Heavensl it was all about
the one subject that dominated his mind