The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-10-31
cHApTER vIII.-contInued.


killed, loved Miss Brett. She was
at this hotel last night with her moth
er. They heard OF my being here, and
did me the honor to send for me, and
20 ask from me the details of the
tragedy"
Locke's heavy face was agitated
equally by sympathy and surprise.
Miss Brettl" he cried. That must
be the sister of Sir Mortimer Brett
you know herr" l demanded
eagerly.
Il have never seen her, but l know
something of Sir Mortimer He is
the most picturesque figure In the
English diplomatic service
why picturesque? That is .
strange adjective to describe a Brit
fish minister. Who is he, and how do
you happen to know him."
He is consul general and minister
plenipotentiary at Sofia. Bulgaria.
There is not an attache in Europe to-
day who has not an inquisitive eye
cooked at Sir Mortimer Brett"
And his claims to Distinction"
are sufficient to make any man motor
ious. First Of all. scandal has been
busy with his illustrious name. How
ever l am afraid that's very or
dirany sort OF notoriety But when
tell you the sober fact that If he
just winked war would break out in
the Balkan peninsula you will grant
that he is a factor in the game Of
European politics"
Il have heard enough to have my
curiosity excited. Tell me more of the
man who controls the destiny of ma
ton. The scandal, for instance. Is ii
a matter of common newspaper pub
hcitys have figured in the papers
myself lately. and feel a certain
sympathy for a fellow-sufferer?"
ooh, the newspapers have made him
squirm a bit, no doubt. But my
sources OF information are more &C
. curate than mere newspaper gossip.
You see, l happen to be the Ameri-
can consul here"
Then your gossip of the embassies
ought TO be worth listening to-"
l settled myself in my chair and
lighted a fresh cigarette.
MY dear chap. you are asking too
much of me-really you arel The
situation in the Balkansl Good Lord,
that's too appalling a subject to be
discussed between two friends who
have just met"
Locke" 1 replied automatically, Il
suppose you wish to discuss me and
my unfortunate affair. Well, / don't.
II you wish to show me that you be-
lieve me not quite 80 black as ! am
painted, ignore the matter complete
ly."
"Of course. Of course" he fastened
20 assure me. and you really wish
10 understand why war would break
out tomorrow in the Balkans If Sir
Mortimer Brett lifted his little nn-
ger?"
"If such a knowledge is the prelude
20 the scandal that concerns him"
Very we'll, he agreed good-natured-
~. But don't despair II you are still
muddled after ten minutes talk on
Balkan politics; Count von Bulow has
said that the man who comprehends
the situation in the Balkan State does
not exist But 10 understand how
Sir Mortimer's influence may plunge
Europe into war to-day. Just as surely
as when Madame de Pompadour
twisted Louis XIV about her little fin
ger. you must know something of the
trouble that seethes and bubbles in
Turkish Macedonia
Even the word Turkish Macedonia
f. a mere geography name 10 me"
Hang II, have ! got to give you a
lesson In geography as we'll as in his
tory?r growled Locke. We'll, Mace
donna is actually no state or country.
1t is simply a term 10 designate a
strip of Turkish territory Immediately
to the south of Bulgaria It is with In
dependent Bulgaria and insurgent
Macedonia tina. our friend Sir Morti-
uer Brett Is concerned. In a word,
the situation is this: Bulgaria, long
freed from the Turkish yoke, would
help struggling Macedonia to gain
her freedom.
Macedonia itself Is an extraordin-
AIRY hodgepodge OF races-Greeks,
Turks, Serbs. Bosnlans, Bulgars-
there are a dozen dirty little races.
and half a dozen fanatic sects all
ready to fly at each others threats II
they we're not too busy struggling for
their freedom. But Greek, Catholic,
Lew. they are all ready to die cheer
fully If they can down their Turkish
oppressor. Il is just this sublime
struggle for freedom that gives
touch of nobility to mongrel. snariing.
Bnapping Macedonia These Mace
DOMAINS br years have been putting
up one Of tie pluckiest running fights
imaginable, The House of Commons
INDUCES in solemn pifiie about what
they choose 20 call the Balance OF
Crininality In other words, they pro
fess 10 think that the atrocities com
mitted by the Turks and the Mace
DOMAINS are equally horrible. But, as
q matter of fact. English knowledge Of
Macedonian Affairs is doled cut by the
London Times. which in turn gets It's
sActs from tho English embassy OF