Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-14
By E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIr
CHAPTER yXXv.

lOuNIG. uc LdUtC dIOuuu which they were seated was strewn with papers and maps. The door of the room was locked, and sentry stood outside in the passage. The three men were busy making history.
 The man who occupied the seat at the head of the table was the NJ. Gris- son, to whom Guy Poynton, at the in stigation of the Due de Bergillac, had told his story. It was he who was spokesman.
 "The situation" he said, ''is one which bristles with difficulties. We will assume for a moment the truth of what we have certainly reasonable ground to believe. Russia has shown every sign of disappointment with us for our general attitude during the war. Our understanding with England has pro voked vigorous though unofficial pro test from her representatives here. Since then our relations have become to certain extent strained. Germany, ever on the lookout for complications which might lead to her own advan- tage, steps in. Her attitude toward Russia is changed to one of open and profound sympathy. Russia in her des- perate straits rises like starving fish to fat fly. Here it is that bur secret service steps in."
 Our secret service-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 ac- ton. Evidence is brought to us that a secret meeting took place between the czar of Russia and the emperor of Ger many. From all the information which we have collected that meeting was possible. I personally believe that it took place. A treaty is 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 so far as regards her quarrel with England. We know that Germany is secretly mobilizing men and ships.
 "We know that the ambition of the emperor is to possess himself of the colonies of Great Britain, if not actu- ally to hold his court in London. We know that his jealousy of King Ed ward amounts to disease. We know that he is man of daring and violent temper, with an indomitable will and an unfinching belief in his own infalli- bility and the infallibility of his army and navy. We know that he has at least dozen schemes for sudden at tack upon England, and. mighty though the navy of Great Britain is, 1t is not in our 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 fiattering alacrity the only possible counter stroke-an alli- ance 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 ollection has been called upon to make. What have you to say, gentlemen"
 There was a short silence. Then the man who sat at NJ. Grisson's right hand spoke.
 "The issues before us," he said slow ly. "are appalling. Every Frenchman's blood must boil at the thought of Ger many greedily helping herself to the mighty wealth and power of Great Britain--becoming by this single mas ter stroke the strongest nation on earth, able to dictate even to us and to send her word unchallenged through out the world. It is hideous picture. It must mean 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 back. will never forget to flaunt him. self before us to our eternal humilia- ton"
 You are taking it for granted" his neighbor remarked, that Germany will be successful"
 "The odds are in her favor" was the quiet reply. "The navy of Great Brit ain Is immense, but her sea front. SO to speak. is enormous. She is open to be the prey of n sudden swift attack. and the moment has never been more fa- 7orable."
 .et all these things be granted" xf1e third man said. Even then are we free to enter into this alliance with England7 Our treaty with Russia re- mains. We have no proof that she has broken faith with us. If this secret treaty between Russia and Germany really exists 1t is of course another matter. But does It? We have noth- ing but the word of an English boy. The rest is all assumption. The whole affair might be a nightmare We might sign this treaty with England and find afterward that we had been the victim of a trick. We should be periured before the face of all Europe. and our great financial interests In Russia would at once be placed in q periIous position
 A telephone upon the table rang soft ly. M. Grisson held the receiver to his ear and listened. Then he rose to his feet
 Count von Munchen desires a word Eith me- be announced. He pledges aimself not to keep me more than five minutes. I had better receive him Ex- u<e ne. gentlemen
 Ths two men were left alone The slder and stouter of the two busted lEnself with an inch rule and an atlas. zs seemed to be making calculations 4< sEs-