Evening star., 1896-11-28
A MYSTERY Of THE BALKANS
BY PERCY ANDREE.
Copyright, 1886. by Percy Andreae.)


designs Of the prime minister? And 1t has,
no doubt, occurred to your highness that
ne may be In the paid service of Russian
'It has"
can be adduced, which I conceive to be a
very simple matter, Is 1t your hfghness
opinion that such proofs would alter his
ma1esty's views as to the prudence of the
policy he has SO unaccountably embraced?'
Can any one doubt It? But how will you
obtain such proofs you speak OFF,
by the same means by which Count
SastroWitch obtained his knowledge of my
presence in the Balkanian capital" Sir
John answered. 1.-THE difficulty, l think.
however, will lie not so much in obtaining
proofs Of the prime minister's duplicity as
majesty the king"
Give me the proofs" the prince ex-
claimed. resolutely, land. If need be, will
force my way into his majesty's presence,
sword in hand. be the consequences what
they may"
.! will take the liberty of reminding your
highness of this promise when the occasion
arises, as 1t doubtless WILL" Sir John said.
For the present, all l would ask is that
two expert telegraph clerks, whose LOYALTY
ana trustworthiness are beyond doubt be
placed at my disposal, with fnstruc tions to
carry out such orders as 1 shall give them,
Dllndly and without question"
Tine director of the posts and te1egraphs
Is one of my stanchest friends" the prince
sald. You shall have what ysu require.
BUT tell me. when do you expect to be in
possession Of these proofs? Time is pre-
c1ous The king may be induced at any
moment to give his signature to the Rus
revoke It,"
1T will be your highness' fault" Sir John
SAID II the King signs the treaty before
ne mas seen proofs of his minister's treach-
cry; ihat his majesty will not sign it after
We'll, be it so." the prince said. "I have
exhausted all other means of averting this
threatening calamity. I leave myself in
your hands. Sir John.'
1t was two days after this conversation
when STR Richard Anson, the British plen
ipotentlary, received the following note
from .,In the prince regent:
w are too late. At o'clock this even
ing the king will receive the Russian am
bassador In secret audience. and sign the
ai i'icies OF the treaty. Inform Sir John.
"GREGOR ALEXANDER"
.r1 ,ieauIng this commune alton Sir Rich
dlu u Ahsoh spfang from his chair rang his
peii ana ordered his secretary to inform sir
19nh fempletoh that he desired to speak
,reandl Wrsa MIN % on matter of the utmost
tered the study. i GU
ieney 4d said. placing the princes note @ in Sir
The oa HaS Diploma, rIsbes5 Is to be dOneY
hc.g; .!E, and retained IT in his hands.
lno prince. see, has faithful servitors
ne SAID. Il am in possession of SINH.
Tnaaa1 anu .. from pm a more authentic source"
snu"eu! said Sir Richard a little net
tieo at the old gentleman's coolness "Par
laps Count Sastrowitch himself has been
sood enough to communicate his Intentions
Exactly" Sir John replied. with q sm,,e
u perfect good humor. Your excellencv
=, pelcelVe, has the Unborn gift of penetra-
istia is4h "eieh Is the distinguishing character
lstic OF the true diplemat."
oir hlchard stared at him in ooton;,h
ment -- 1A as'ohisn-
have. however. further and more seri-
John continued. Immediately after the
eenclus,o II OF the audience of his excellence
s sne nussian ambassador. a cabinet order
reaon4 ree nne ar arrest OF his hghness the prince
Iesent VIII De signed and delivered for in
slant execution into the hands of General
hhostron. tha the new commander-in-chief Of
The devilv' said Sir Richard "Rut vo,,
are joking, surely. 1 shall next hear that
Inns piece OF news has been conveyed tn
you Dy the Russian ambassador"
deor riore IRE ms companion could answer the
gent himself was announced.
HIS hfghness entered with the air of q
man sn who haG given himself up to despair.
Sir Jaha nave s,gniasd neard the newsT he asked
ana there Is nothing to be done-no+b-
.mg a1t Inc prince exclaimed, throwing him
tinn INTO !srh, cnair with gesture of despera-
become n
reality. and Balkania's freedom 10 rnna'
on the contrary. there Is everything to
oe done sir" Sir John said, "or Baikania
VIII III. ,oss not only Its liberty but its king"
with an air of tmpatfence. DO vo,, stiiI iR
adhere to this strar ge notion that +ha
f'fg fsit i. ,ife Is in peril? On my soul. wish
sure Of his maiesty's." leei
,,rue. Sir John said. when YOUR
nisnness arrest has been ACCOMPLISHED =
saa,o saay De 100 Late to avert its probable CON
PRISON to th-s scaffold." '"e
,ne NY Ea,l arrese. g the prince stammered, fall
'ng e. pack In dismay. DO you mean 80"
these papers @ n,gRess s'r 1ohS VIII glance through
smah bundle Of documents on the table he
slde the prince "it will save much nseles.
explanation and loss Of valuable time. They
patches that have been exehaneed hstn.as' u.s
tne RUSSIAN government and the Barkanian
prime minister since I had the honor Of an
lmterview mt with your higfness two days ago.
Sastrowitch sufficiently to Justify"
Great powers!' the prince cried turning
pale as death as he aHghted upon the mes.
sage sage referring to his intended arrest. How
by very simple device, SIR" Sir John
rephed, which Is no doubt frequently en-
ployed by Count Sastrowitch himself. and is
knoWn to electricians as tapping the tele-
l have received all messages that have
passed between Russia and Bahama by
means or recorder interpolated at a con-
Ven1en- spot for that purpose These dis
patches. as your highness will observe.
prove eonclusively that Sastrowitch is in
completely with Russia, and that he pos
sesses guarantees of liberal payment for
the services he has treacherously agreed
tc render the Russian government What
more, ehen, can be needed to omen the
kings eyes and rouse him to action:"
The prince paced the room in great aef-
tation.
''But whom" he said at last, "ean trust
to place these documents in his majesty's
hands?"
''Whom?" Sir John said IN surprise. .A.-
snredly no one but yourself, sir. Your
highness must present yourself at the pal
ace this evening, and demand admittance
to the king, when he confers with his min
tster and the Russian :,lenipotentiary."
But Ii 1t likely that ais majesty will
consent to receive me?'
1T will be imperative that your highness
should proceed to the palacs accompanied
by sufficient retinue to obtain access to
the conference. If need be, by force" Sir
John said calmly. II would counsel YOU
sir. to select for this purpose men of such
rank and dignity as will render them unim-
peachabfe witnesses Of that which may pass
during the interview"
"And what" the prince said somewhat
coldly, "suppesing could entertain such q
daring plan, would be gained by it?'
First and foremost. the liberty, IL not