Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-30
Copyright, 1895, by Irving Bachellcr.)

More than one attempt has already been
made TO explain an incident which, at the
time it took place, threw the whole diplo-
macy of Europe into state of not I'M
natural CONSERVATION. The enc prominent
fact was as simple as it was astounding.
Viii congress was sitting to settle the
terms of a treaty between two belliSerent
powers. and the success of the assembled
dipomatsts was known to depend largely
en- their keeping their proceedings abso-
1utely secret until they should have ar
rived at a definite result a draft copy of
the treaty suddenly appeared IN the col
umns of a well-known London newspaper
A thunderbolt falling in their midst could
fot have startled the pleniL otentiaries
more. In fact, for the moment this pre-
mature revelation threatened to put an end
to the congress altogether, as it seemed to
point inevitably to a breach of faith on the
part of ono of the members. OF course an
attempt was made to disavow the draft
treaty, and, as a matter of fact, this pre-
mature publication rendered it absolutely
necessary to modify some of it's provisions,
more especially those of the famous thir-
teenth clause. But, none the less, the draft
treaty as originally published was known
to be correct in all its main details, and the
question arose how IL had been possible for
any newspaper to obtain a knowledge of
sitting, and all it's deliberations were yelled
in the profoundest secrecy.
AS / have already said various attempts
.-more or less ingenious-have been made
to solve the mystery, but these attempts
have all stopped short of the actual solu-
ton. Many interesting details have been
given WHICH were false, and some less in
teresting which were true, but how that
raptor quotdianus-the daily press-came
to be able to carry off in its beak this most
secret of secrets has remained a puzzle to
every body except myself and two other
mem up to the present day.
1t seems to me that the time has at
length come when the lor g-deSired revela-
tion may be made without indscretion.
Originally there were four persons more or
less concerned in the mystery though only
three of them, If SO many. We're in fun pos
session of the secret. OF these four, two
are dead another has entirely Disappeared
end l, the fourth actor in the drama have
made up my mind to relate the circum-
stances of this extraordinary affair. How
ever even now l propose to proceed eau
tiously. and not to define too clearly either
the Individuals concerned or the countries
represented.
I should mention at the outset-for it is to
this circumstance that 1 owe my connec-
ton with the mystery-that l was at one
dime myself in the diplomacy, as an unpaid
attache. Whilst acting in this capacity, at
foreign court 1 had the good fortune to
be able to render a great service to one of
the ministers of state-a man of European
reputation. He was more grateful than
diplomatists are generally supposed to be.
and honored me ever afterward with his
afectionate regard. AS l write l have OH
my finger a magnificent emerald he left to
me when he died. 1t was owing to my in
tlmacy with him that came to be mixed up
with the affair of the treaty. l will call
him Prince Schatzenberg.
At the time the congress assembled
CHANGED to be staying at the capital, where
they were to hold their sittings. 1 was not
alo1 e; an English friend named Gresham
was with me. He was one of those English
men who wander about without any very
definite aim in life, but with plenty of money
in the pocket, and who. suffering at times
little from the ennui of idleness. are gen.
orally ready tC take up with any new fad to
diversity the routine of their existence. In
my friends case the latest of these fads was
graphology, which ne protested to have
brought to great pitch of perfection. This
Yas science in which at that time l hardly
believed at all, but circumstances afterward
led me to think that in the hand of an acute
and original observer 1t might be tur0ed to
good account.
The day before the congress was to COM
mence Its sittings the diplomatists gathered
together from every part of Europe. In all
seven powers were represented. Amongst
the plenipotentiarios was Prince Schatzen-
berg, on whom l made a point of calling
without delay.
The prince was staying at the Schweizer-
hof. and directly sent up my card was ad-
mtted to his presence. l found him lying on
q couch, and looking older and Trailer than
when 1 had seen him last But his manner
was rs charming as ever, and could enter
tain no doubt that he was really glad to see
me. He excused himself from getting up,
but put out his delicate hand and grasped
mine with a gentle but affectionate pressure.
noticed it was the left hand that he gave
me.
so glad to see you again, mon cher" he
said. Excuse my left hand; the right is
crippled with the govt. l gave orders that
no one was to be admitted. but, of course,
that was not meant to apply to you. You
are always welcome"
Il have been longing to see you. prince
answered 1T is some time now since we
met But am afraid you are not quite so
wen as should like to see you"
Well. no. l am not young as l was
and the long journey has knocked me out
Besides. 1 am tornented with my old en-
envy, neuralgia in the face. There, take
that fateuil. You won't mind my finishing
letter, I know, and then 1 can release my
amaruensis'
L had noticed the amanuensis as I en-
tered the room. and it had puzzled me to
define his exact position socially. He was
young man, about thirty. as l judged.
neatly and quietly dressed, but he DID not
Seem 10 be quite what in Ernol3nl call