The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-30

modify some of its provisions, more es'
pecially those of the famous thirteenth
clause. But none the less, the draft-treaty }
as originally published was known TO bs
correct in all its main details, and the
question arose how IL had been possible
for any newspaper to obtain a knowledge
of these details whilst the congress was
still sitting, and all it's deliberations were
veiled in the profoundest secrecy.
As / have already said, various at.
tempts-more or less ingenious-have
been made to solve the mystery but the
attempts have all stopped short of the
actual solution. Many interesting details
have been given which were false and
some less interesting which were true,
but how that yaptor quotidianus--the daily
press came to be able to carry off in its
beak this most secret OF secrets has re-
myself and two other men) up to the pre-
sent day.
1t seems to me, that time has at lengt h
CONS when the long desired revelation
may be made without indiscretion. Or
iginally there were only four persons
more or less concerned in the mystery,
though only three Of them IL so many,
were In full possession of the secret. OF
these four, two are dead; another has en-
tirely disappeared; and /, the fourth act
or in the drama, have made up my mind
to relate the circumstances OF this ex-
] propose to proceed cautiously, and not
TO deiine too clearly either the individu-
sls concerned or the countries repre-
ssnted.
Ishould mention at tho outset for II Is to
this circumstance that / owe my connec-
tion with the mystery-that was at one
time myself in the diplomacy, as an un-
paid sttache. Whilst acting in this ca
pacity, at foreign court, / had the good
fortune to be able to render q great SER
vice to one of the ministers of state "A
man OF European reputation. He was
more greatful than diplomatists are gen.
orally supposed to be, and honored me
ever afterwards with his affectionate
regard. AS write have on my finger a
magnificent emerald he left TO me when
he died. II was owing to my intimacy
with him, that came to be mixed up with
the affair OF the treaty. will call him
Prince Schatzenberg.
At the time the congress assembled, /
chanccd TO be staying at the capital,
where they were TO hold their sittings.
was not alone; an English friend
named Gresham was with me. He was
one Of those Englis hmen who wander
about without any very definite aim in
HE but with plenty OF money in the
pocket, and who, suffering at times
little from the eDnui of idleness, are
generally ready to take up with any new
fad to diversity the routine OF their exis-
tence. In my friends case, the latest OF
these fads was Graphology, which he pro-
fessed to have brought TO great pitch of
perfection. This was q science IN which
at that time hardly believed at all. but
circumstances afterwards led me to
think that in the hand OF an acute and
original observer 1t might be turned TO
good account.
The day before the congress was to
commence its sittings the diplomatists
- hoF fro ~ 81
rope. In all, seven powers were repre-
sented. Amongst the p.enipotentisries
was Prince Schatzen berg, on whom L
made point OF calling without delay.
The prince was staying at the Schwei-
zerhof. and directly sent up my card
was admitted to his presence. / found
him lying on couch, ana looking
older and Trailer than when 1 had seen
him last. Bot his manner was as charm
ing az ever, and 4 could entertain 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 affeotionate
pressure. ! noticed II was the left hand
that he gave me.
$50 glad 10 see You again, mon cher"
he said. Excuse my left hand; the
right 10 crippled with the gout. / gave
orders that no one was TO be admitted.
nut OF course that was not meant to apply
II have been longing To see you.
prince" i answered. "It Is some time
now since We met But i am afraid you
are not quite so well az l should like to
sec you.f
well, no, am not quite so young az
! Was, and the long journey has Knocked
me out. Besides, 1 am tormented with
my old enemy, neuralgia i'm the face.
There, take that fsteuil. You won't
mlnu my nnishing a letter, know, and
then can release my amanuensis 4"
4 nad noticed the amanuensis as enter
ea tho room, and II had puzzled me TO
define bis exact position socially. He
wssa young man-about thirty. as 1
ludged--neatiy and quietly dressed. but
ne ala not seem to be quite what we in
England call a gentleman. This sur-
prised me, as the princes secretaries
, were generally men OF aristocrstic birth
J noticed also. that when the prince re-
eumed the dictation which my entrance
had interrupted, the amanuensis bent
his head very close 10 the paper as II he
were short-sig hted.