The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-05-22

81 don't pretend to understand diplo-
macy, continued Jennie, blushing
slightly as she remembered Lord Donal,
and it seemed that the same thought
struck the princess at the same mo-
ment, for she looked quizzically at Jen-
ME and burst out into laugh.
+ ssYou may laugh, but tell you that
this is serious business. They say it
only needed second new milk speech
from the premier to have England an
swer most politely in words of honey,
and next instant the two countries
would have been at each others
throat. .
seSuppose we write to Lord Donal in
st. Petersburg, " suggested the princess,
still laughing, ''and ask him to come
to Vienna and help us? He understands
all about diplomacy. By the way, Jen-
ME, did Lord Donal ever find out whom
he met at the ball that night p
''No, he didn't" answered Jennie
shortly.
"Don't you ever intend to let him
know? Are you going to leave the ro-
nance unfinished, like one of Henry
James novels
eft isn't romance 1t is simply
very distressing incident which have
been trying to forget ever since. 1t is
all very we'll for you to laugh, but, if
you ever mention the subject again I'll
leave you and go to hotel.
ooh, no, you won'tl" chirruped the
princess brightly. "You daren't. You
know am the goddess of the machine.
At any time can send letter to Lord
Donal and set the poor young mans
mind at rest. So, you see, Miss Jennie,
you will have to talk very sweetly and
politely to me and not make any
threats, because am like those dread
full persons in the sensational plays who
hold the guilty secrets Of other people
and blackmail them. But you are a nice
girl, and l won't say anything You
dom want to hear said. Now, what is
it you wish to find out about this po-
litical crisis 2" u
81 want to discover why the premier
did not follow up his speech with. an
other. He must have known when he
spoke how his words would be taken in
England. Therefore it is thought that
he had some plans which unforeseen
circumstances intervening have nulli-
fed. / want to know what those I'M
foreseen circumstances were For the
past fortnight The Daily Bugle has had
two men here in Vienna trying to
throw some light on the dark recesses
of diplomacy. Up to date they have
failed, but at any moment they may
succeed 1t was because they failed
that am sent here Now, have you
anything to suggest. Madame la Prin-
cesse?"
81 suggest, Jennie, that we put our
heads together and, learn all that those
clever diplcmatists wish to hide. Have
you no plans yourselfs''
81 have no very definite plan, but
have general scheme. These men
spoke of are trying to discover what
other men are endeavoring to conceal
All the officials are on their guard. They
are highly placed and are not likely to
be got at by bribery. They are clever,
alert men of the world, SO hoodwinking
them is out of the questions therefore,
| think, my two fellow journalists have
difficult task before them
But it is the same task that you
have before you. Why is it not as diff
cult for you, Jennie, as for them7''
Because I propose to work with peo-
pie who are not on their guard and
there is where you can help me, if you
are not shocked at my proposal. Each
official has wife, or at least most of
them have. Some of these wives, in all
probability, possess the information
that we would like to get. Women will
talk more freely with women than
men will with men. Now, propose to
leave the officials severely alone and to
interview the wives
The princess clapped her hands.
"Excellentl" she cried ssThe women
of Vienna are the greatest gossips you
ever heard chattering together. have
never taken any interest in politics;
otherwise / suppose I might have be-
come possessed of some important gov
eminent secrets. Now, Jennie, I'll tell
you what propose doing. / shall give
formal tea next Thursday afternoon.
l shall invite to that tea dozen or two
dozen or three dozen wives of high
placed officials about the court. My
husband will like that, because he is
always complaining that I do not pay
enough attention to the ladies of the
political circle of Vienna. He takes
great interest in politics. you know. If
we discover nothing at the first tea
meeting, we will have another and an
other and another untiFWe do. We are
sure to invite the right woman on one
occasion or another, and when we find
her Ill warrant the secret will soon be-
long to u.s. All, here we are at Nome,
and we will postpone the discussion of
our plans until you have had something
to eat and are rested bit. =
The carriage drew up at the magnif-
cent palace, well known in Vienna,
which belonged to the Prince Won Stein
heimer, and shortly afterward Jennie
Baxter found herself in possession Of
the finest suit of rooms she had ever be-