Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-03
GT BOY T(ShA(sT

| the most experienced diplomatist in Europe
| should thus have babbled like a child
| that the man who of all others was mos
anxious to keep the treaty secret should
| have been the very one to ,livulge its most
| important provisionsi
l was still sitting lost i'll wonder when
heard q slight noise behind me. I turned
\ sharply round: the door was open, and
| Maubeuge was standing on the threshold
The prince was still innocently prattiine
| OF things that meant The ruin CT salvation
OF empires. MaIbeage, from under his
| heavy eyebrows. cast a dull and yet most
anxious glance first at him, then at me-
| AS he did so, I noticed that his complexion
turned to lead and the whole fashion of
his face was altered. No doubt, he had
taken in the situation at a glance and
krew that his villainy had been detected,
for without single word he turned round
and withdrew, closing the door behind him.
l followed him a once. My anger was
keen against him. I should have liked to
take him by The throat and hand HIM over
to the police. But for the sake of my dear
friend, the prince, could not do this. He
must never know what he had done. The
knowledge that he had betrayed himself
ard the sovereign he loved SO well would
have overwhelmed him. In all probability
he would never have recovered from the
shock. 1t is for this reason that have
waited till his death before publishing this
revelation.
So I refined in my anger as I went in
pursuit of Maubeuge. followed so swift
ly on his heels that 1 caught him in the
corridor.
Monsieur Maubeuge," I said, II must
ask you to favor me with an interview"
He did not venture to decline the invita-
ton, but followed me submissiyely into an
other room belonging to the princes suite
of apartments.
There I came to the point at once.
Monsieur Maubeuge," 1 said, Il think
1t would be well for you to retire at once
from the princes service"
He was far too clever to buster in
tete-a-tete. He knew that in my eyes he
was irretrievably degraded and there was
influence. So he took my remarks in
simple, busfness-like fashion.
Il must give some excuse" he said.
us it not the CASE l asked, suddenly
that your eyes are very bad. and that you
have altogether lost the sight of your left
eye?"
He looked greatly surprised.
TT Is true" he said, but did not know
that any one knew it except myself"
We'll, that is excuse enough. Say that
your eyes are so bad that you must al any
sacrifice resign your position at once. At
once-you understand me. On that condi-
ton l will refrain from communicating
with the police. You will have to sacrifice
months wages. but you will be able'to af-
ford that now. Besides, Monsieur LIE Grand
may find you employment. l recommend
you not to remain in this country"
Il shall be pleased to carry out your
wishes. SIR said the rascal suavely.
THAT will 90. them 1 said. "You can
go now. 1 hope that your eyesght may
improve, and that your hearing may be
dulled a little in the interests of honesty"
He disappeared. and 1 never saw or
heard of him again. If he is still alive
he passes. probably, under some assumed
name.
As 1 have already said. the prince is
dead. and LIE Grand is dead. I only remain
OF those who were mixed up in the affair
and 1 am glad to have this opportunity of
clearing up one of the most curious cpl
sodes in modern history.
CThe end.)