The Red Cloud chief., 1907-09-20

pants OF the great roOm whose
windows looked out upon the
Louvre. The table around
whlch they were seated was strewn
with papers and maps. The door OF the
room vas locked. and a sentry stood
outside In the passage. The three men
were busy making history.
The man who occupied the seat ut
the head Of the table was the NJ. Girls
son. TO whom Guy Poynton. at the in
.stIgatlon Of the Due de Bcrglllac, had
told his story. 1t was he who was
spokesman.
1.-THE situation he said. "is one
which bristles with difficulties. We will
assume for IL moment the truth Of what
we have certainly reasonable ground
70 believe. Russia has shown every
sign OF disappointment with US for our
general attitude during the war. Our
understanding with England has pro-
vokcd a vigorous though unofficial pro.
test from her representatives here.
Since then relations have become
TO n certain extent strained. Germany,
ever on the lookout for complications
which might lead to her own advan-
tagc, steps In. Her attitude toward
Russia IL changed to one of open and
profound sympathy. Russia I'm h0 des.
perate straits rises ike a Starving fish
to n fat fly. Here 1t is that u secret
service steps In"
"Our secret servlce--and her allies
one OF the other men murmured.
Exactly! We pass now into the
consideration Of facts which need one
thing only to justify our course Of &C.
ton. Evidence Is brought to us that q
secret meeting took place between the
car Of Russia and the emperor Of Ger.
many, From all the information which
VIC have collected that meeting was
possible. ! personally believe that 1t
took place. A treaty IL said to have
been drawn up between them having
for Its object the embodiment Of Eng
land with Russia and alliance OF Ger
many with Russia 30 far as regards
her quarrel with England. We know
that Germany is secretly mobilizing
men and ships.
1--WE know that the ambition of the
emperor IL to possess himself Of the
colonies of Great Britain, IL not actu-
ally to hold his court In London. We
know that his Jealousy of King Ed
ward amounts TO n disease. We know
that he Is n man of daring and violent
temper. with an indomitable will and
m un0inching belief in his own infalli-
bility ana the infallibllity OF his army
aud navy. We know that he has at
least n dozen schemes for n sudden at
tack upon England, and, mighty though
the navy of Great Britain is, II Is not
In u opinion strong enough to pro-
tect her shore from the combined Bal
tic and German fleets and also protect
her colonies. England. through our
friendship, has been warned. She pro-
poses with most iattering alacrity the
only possible counter stroke-an ALI.
anc with ourselves. We must decide
within twelve hours. The treaty lies
upon my desk there. Upon us must
rest the most momentous decision
which any Frenchman within our rec.
election has been called upon to make.
What have you to say. gentlemenT"
There was a short silence. Then the
man who sat ut NJ. Grisson's right
hand spoke,
''rhe issues before u.s." he said slow
~, "are appalling, Every Frenchman's
blood must boil Mt the thought Of Ger,
many greedily helping herself to the
mighty wealth and power OF Great
notwithstanding by this single mas,
ter stroke the strongest nation on
earth, able to dictate even to us and "a
send her word unchallenged through,
out tho world, 1t is a hideous picture
II must meal the abandonment forever
OF the hope of every true Frenchman
Every minute will become a menace
To us. wilhelm, the arrogant, with
British gold and British ships at his