Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-01

diplomacy itself would become impossible
il there Were not a certain background of
confidence amongst diplomatists. Here, as
In so many other cases. rigid professional
etiquette serves as succedaneum for con-
science. When we act individually, no
doubt we are liable to do all sorts of queer
things. But when we agree to act cole IT.
lively, and mutually pledge our honor to
keep our proceedings secret, We know We
can trust each other.
was aware from my own experience
that there was great deal OF truth in
what the prince said: STILL my curiosity
prompted me to ask him who had acted az
secretary when the real secretary was alb
sent. ---
''Oh, there need ne no secret about that"
said The prince; at is Shrievaljieff. How
pleased he will be if LIE Grand upsets the
him." '.- rr.i.'- ~-a - N-F
I knew Count shrievaljieff we'll. but did
not care much for him. He was a tall.
fine man. between fifty and sixty. excep-
tionally ugly. but with wonderfully supple.
and, il l may so speak, adjustable man
ners. And, to match these, he had an ex-
traordinary command of the facial mus
cles. When in perfect repose the clean
shaver skin looked very like a sheet of
tight-drawn parchment, except that the
color was much browner than that OF
parchment. But, when he wished. he couit
wrinkle up the entire surface of his face
into series of concentric curves which
seemed to represent the ne plus Ultra OF
came SO suddenly and disappeared so COM
pletey that it was impossible not to harbor
a suspicion that they were wholly super
fetal and that this many-wrinkled smile
stood in no vital relation to the mans in
ner nature In fact. it reminded me very
much of the grimaCes of an 1nda-rubber
doll when you squeeze its plastic counte-
nance.
oned this talent for facial contortion to
such an extent that he could, when ne
chose make one side OF his race assume
a different expression from that of the
other so as to be able to present a SYM
pathetic aspect to two different interiocn-
tors at the same time. This was, OF course,
not literally true, but always fancied lhat
ne turned natural defect to such good ac-
count that there was an element OIL truth
in the statement For whilst his right eye
was in all respects normal, the lid OF the
left eye dropped permanently over the eye
ball. This eye was, moreover. always SUI
fused with an excess of moisture, which
gave it a somewhat lachrymose appear
ance. This, no doubt, he sometimes turned
to good account, when paying visit OF
coincidence. The explanation probably was
that the left eye was an ARTIFICIAL one, as
the irritation caused by such artificial eyes
is apt to oyerstimulate the iachrymal
glands. At any rate, it was generally be
ieved in diplomatic circles that the count
was blind of the left eye. though he him.
self never acknowledged the defect.
Whilst l was conjuring IN in my mind
this image of Count Shricvaljief, the
prince had been prodigal OF lamentations
| over the stolen treaty.
ut touches me more than any one,' he
said, "for it is precisely this thirteenth
clause in which my gracious master Is
most interested. And l had just succeed
| ed in arranging matters as I know he
| wishes them to be arranged. 1t has given
| me world of trouble. and now lie Grand
| is going to upset it ali. 1t is monstrous
that the press should have such power.
| rs there anything I can do?' asked
eff SO, pray command me.
well, thought that, as you know Ii
Grand, you would not mind trying to sound
| him so as to find out, il possible. how
much he really has discovered. He is such
a braggart that he might commit himself.
| II will see what I can do L SAID, ou,
| I do not expect that 1 shall get much ou'
| of him."
| THANK you so very much" said the
| prince: you are always doing something
| for me-"