The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-23
COPYRIGHTED, 1897
Chapter XVI.
A MISSION AND ITS SEQUEL.

A MlSSlON AND lis SEQUEL.
"You fully understand the position,
Daedes?''
Absolutely" replied
well, this is your first mission abroad
"a secret one and most important-so do
your Lest. and let me see how you shape
towards being diplomatist. Remember
you have one main object to bear in
mind, as 1 have already told you; and
further that the striotest secrecy is abso-
lutely necessary. 1t was the Earl of
Warnham who thus spoke gravely as we
stood opposite one another in the private
room of the minister in attendance at
Osborne. Between us was large table
Uttered with state documents, each of
which Her Majesty had carefully investi-
gated before appending her firm. we'll
written signature. Late on the previous
night had travelled to the Isle of Wight
in respose to a telegram summoning me
and my chief, who, after three rather
protracted audiences of Her Majesty dur.
ing the morning, had instructed me to
proceed at once to Paris entrusting me
with secret mission. Lord Gaysford,
the Under Secretary, would undoubtedly
have gone, but as he was away in Scot
land attending some election meetings,
and as time was pressing, [ had much to
my eradication, been chosen. My mis-
sion was rather curious one, not uncon-
nected with Her Majesty's personal affairs,
and the instructions | had to deliver to
the Marquis OF Worthhrope, our Ambas-
sador to the French Republic. were of
such a delicate nature that if written in
a formal despatch would, the Earl feared,
cause that skilled and highly valued
diplomatist to send in his resignation.
l had therefore been chosen to put
suggestion politely to his Excellency, and
at the same time deliver the Earl's.. in
struotions with Difference, yet so firmlythat
they could not be disregarded. Mine was
certainly a difficult task. nevertheless in
my enthusiasm at being chosen to execute
this secret mission abroad I was prepared
to attempt anything from the settlement
of the Egyptian Question to the forma-
ton of Quadruple Alliance.
81 shall carry out your instructions to
the best of my ability" assured him,
afer he had given me various valuable
hints how to act
YES" the aged Minister said, slowly
gathering the tails of his black broad
cloth frock coat over his arms and thrust
ing his hands into his pockets. Gross
from New Haven tonight, and you can
see Worthorpe st noon tomorrow. Tell
him to give you an interview!at.one then
explain what I have told you. he must
obtain an audience of the President some
time tomorrow.
IT shall act as discreetly as possible, -
I declared
81 feel sure you will, Deedes,' he ex-
claimed, with look more kindly than
usual. This mission will, hope, lead
to others, further afield perhaps. But
remember that you were once victimized
by spy; therefore, exercises the greatest
care and caution in this and in all mat
ters.''
4 certainly SHALL" answered, smil-
ing; then, after the further discussion
of point upon which was not perfectly
clear, I wished my chief adieu.
AS passed out of the room he said:
'Put up at the Continental. If have
any further instructions, I'll wire in
cipher"
Every weli,' I replied, and as I went
forth l met on the threshold servant in
the Royal livery who had come to sum-
mon the trusted Minister to another audi
ence with his Sovereign.
Eager 10 fulfil my mission to the salts
faction of the eccentric old statesman.
who, if to others was martinez, was to
me firm and sympathetic friend, at
once set out, crossed to Dieppe that night,
and duly arrived in Paris the next day
Shortly before noon l presented myself
at the handsome official residence of the
British Ambassador and was quickly
ushered into his presence. We were not
strangers, having met on several occas-
ions when he visited London and called
to consult the chief; therefore he well
coined me cordially when I entered his