The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-01-16
Efficacy of the Russian Spy.

After Mr.. Curtin had left the guoer-
material chair he spent five years in
St. Petersburg as United States minis
ter to Russia. By his display of diplo-
macy he won the regard Of Gortscha-
koff, the great chancellor, who for fifty
years ruled the destinies of the Rus
sian people. After Napoleon Ills cap
plation at Sedan and his retirement as
an exile TO ChiseIhurst, England, Min
lister Curtin determined upon a flying
trip to London by way of recreation.
The day before leaving St. Petersburg,
while in conversation with Gortscha-
koff, the latter incidentally said 90 him:
THE return Of a Napoleon to the throne
OF France would menace the peace Of
all Europe and be most 1amentable."
Shortly after the United States min
lister had been installed in his apart
ments in London he was waited upon by
the Ohevalier Wyckoff. The main pur-
pose Of the chevalier's visit was TO sug-
gest to Mr.. Curtin that he should trav-
el to Cheiselhurst to see the deposed
emperor of the French. The minister
protested that he was away from his
post on simply "a holiday trip without
leave of absence, and that ne did not
desire to attract public attention to his
movements. The chevalier then inti-
mated that the distinguished American
would in all likelihood be formally in
vited to cali upon Napoleon. That"
said Mr. Curtin, would be an entirely
different matter
The following day the Prince Murat,
cousin Of Napoleon, called upon the
American minister and formally invit-
ed him to ChiSelhurst and to the hon
or of a private audience with Napoleon.
Mr.. Curtin made the trip in the COM
pamy of Chevalier Wyckoff, and was
very graciously received by the late
sovereign Of the French. After a brief
conversation Napoleon requested the
ohevalier to withdraw, as he wished to
confer with Mr.. Curtin in private Wy
ckoff left the apartment and the Amer
lean minister found himself alone, ap-
parently with the depOsed monarch.
Then ensued a most interesting CONVEX
satiOn that was prolongued for two
hours. Mr.. Curtin found that the ex-
emperor'S conversation, no matter IN
what direction it drifter. invariably re-
turned to an attempted discussion Of
the probability OF his receiving the sup
port of Russia if he should again at
tempt to mount THE throne of France.
He evidently knew of the American
minister's intimacy with Gortschakoff,
and, to use a hOmely American phrase,
" Dis tiuNdNOTlDR 10 MN. Bul
Mr.. Curtin was proof against such guile
and skilfully avoided direct replies to
NapOleon's remarks except in two in
stances, when the nephew of the great
Bonapantte put such direct questions
to him that he was forced to reply:
Your majesty will, I am sure, pardon
me for declining to answer your ques-
tion when you consider that my rela-
lions TO my government and through it
with the Russian government are of
an entirely confidential character"
Upon both occasions when replies of
that sort were made to him Napoleon
bowed courteously in assent and divert
I'd the channel of conversation, only to
return again to the subject upon which
his mind was evidently dwelling. FL
rally at the conclusion of the interview
the late emperor said to Mr.. Curtin:
will you answer me one question? If
you can't conscientiously do so 1 will
feel under just as much obliga ton to
you for your courtesy in paying me this
visit. You are on intimate terms with
Prince Gortschakoff. Has he ever said
anything to you concerning my return
to France?'
Minister Curtin, having in mind his
last conversation with the Russian
was visibly embarra ssed by
liilS INQUIRY. f1naIly ne said with
some hesitation: Your majesty. I saw
Prince GontSohakcff the day before
eft st. Petersburg, but l beg of you
not to ask me what it was he said to
me concerning yourself"
Quick as fash Napoleon took in
MS meaning. a shade of sadness pass |
ID over his face. Then. with a courte-
)us bow, he said simply: 81 understand
you, sir. and I thank you
When the American minister returned
o St. Petersburg he, as in duty bound,
paid his respects to the Russian chan |
sellor. Gortschakoff received him very |
graciously and al the conclusion of |
ong and pleasant conversation, said, |
Il must congra tulate you, sir
Upon what ?'' Inquired Mr.. Curtin.
Upon the discretion you displayed"
'eplied Gortschakoff. ''in your CONVEX |
;ation with the late emperor Of the |
French"
How the diplomat ever learned the |
particulars of that interview Mr.. Curtin |
'ould never discover, and il always re- |
NAMED a mystery to him. True, Chew |
llier Wyckoff was VIGOROUSLY in the |
yay OF the Russian government, but |
ie had been excluded from the room. |
,Ir. Curtin was positive that he was |
llone with the emperor. and equally |
sure that he had never whispered a |
word to a human being Of what took /
Times.
TELLER Is CHARGED WITH 1T