Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-02-27
UNDER RUSSIAN ESPIONAGE.
One of Our Ministers to That Country
Had an Illustration OF Ii.

tSASbNiS as GHlteu states minister
to Russia. BY his display of diplo-
macy he won the regard of Gortschak-
on, the great chancellor who for fifty
years ruled the destinies of the Rus
sian people, After Napoleon Ills
eapitulation at Sedan and his retire.
ment as an exile TO Chiselhurst, Eng
land, Minister Curtin determined upon
flying trip TO London by way OF
recreation. The day before leaving
ST. Petersburg, while In conversation
with Gortsehakoff, the latter incident
ally said to him; The return OF a
Napoleon to the throne of France
would menace the peace of all Europe
and be most lamentable"
shortly after the United States min
lister had been installed in his apart
ments in London he was waited upon
by Chevaller Wyckoft The main pur-
pose Of the chevalier's visit was to
suggest TO Mr.. Curtin that he should
travel to Chiselhurst 10 see the de-
posed emperor OF the French. The
minister protested that he was away
from his post on simplya holiday trip
without leave of absence, and he did
not desire TO attract public attention
to his movements. The chevaller
then intimated that the distinguished
American would in all likelihood be
formally invited to call upon Napoleon.
That said Mr. Curtin would be an
entirely different matter"
The following day Prince Murat.
cousin Of Napoleon, called upon the
American minister and formally in
vited him to Chiselhurst and to the
honor Of a private audience with Ma
poleon, Mr.. Curtin made the trip in
the company of Chevalier Wyckoff and
was very graciously received by the
late sovereign of the French, After a
brief conversation Napoleon requested
the chevalier to withdraw, as he
wished TO confer with Mr.. Curtin In
private Wyckoff left the apartment
aud the American minister found him
self alone, apparently. with the de-
posed monarch. Then ensued a most
interesting conversation that was pro-
longed for two hours. Mr.. Curtin
found that the ex-emperor's eonversa-
ton, no matter In what direction It
drlfted, invariably returned to an at
tempted discussion OF the probability
OF his receiving the support Of Rus
STA II he should again attempt to
mount the throne of France. He evil
IDENTIFY knew OF the American minis
ters intimacy with Gortschakoff and
was ondeavoring to pump" him. But
Mr. Curtin was proof against such
guile and skillfully avoided direct -e-
plies to Napoleon's remarks, except in
two instances, when the nephew of
the great Bonaparte put such direct
questions 70 him that he was forced to
reply: Your majesty will, am sure,
pardon me for declining TO answer
your question when you consider that
my relations to my government, and
through II with the Russian govern
ment, are of entirely confidential
character" Upon both occasions when
replies Of that sort were made to him
Napoleon bowed courteously in assent
and diverted the channel OF CONVERSE
ton, only to return again to the sub
iect upon which his mind was evil
IDENTIFY dwelling. Finally, at the ceu-
cluslon OF the interview, the late en-
peror said to Mr. Curtin; "Will you
answer me one question? II you
can't conscientiously do so | viii feel
under just as much obligation to you
for your courtesy in paying me this
visit, You are on intimate terms with
Prince Gortschakoff. Has he ever
said anything 10 you concerning my
return to France"
Minister Curtin, having in mind his
last conversation with the Russian
chancellor, was visibly embarrassed
by this inquiry. Finally he said with
some hesitation: Your majesty, I
saw Prince Gortschakoff the day be-
fore left St. Petersburg, but beg OF
you not to ask me what 1t was he said
to me concerning yourself.
Quick as a flash Napoleon took in
his meaning. u shade Of sadness
passed over his face Then, with a
courteous bow, he said simply II I'M
derstand you, sir, and ! thank you"
When the American minister re-
turned TO st. Petersburg he, as In duty
bound paid his respects to the Rus
sian chancellor. Gortschakoff re-
celved him very graciously and at the
conclusion of long and pleasant con-
yersation said; II must congratulate
you, sir"
Upon what?" inquired Mr.. Curtin.
Upon the discretion you displayed"
replied Gortschakoff, lin your CONVEX
sation with the late emperor OF the
French
How the diplomat ever learned the
particulars of that interview Mr., Cur
tin could never discover, and It al
ways remained a mystery to him.
True, Cheyalier Wyckoff was motor
iously In the pay Of the Russian gov
eminent, but he had been excluded
from the room. Mr.. Curtin was posi-
tive that he was alone with the en-
peror and was equally sure that he
had never whispered a word to q hui