Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-08

| k'OSesSAASs"SS' will endeavor to give you the bare out lines of the affair. Even you, l sup pose, have observed or heard of the growing friendship between my coun- try and yours which has culminated in what is called the entente cor diale?'"
 "Yes, I know as much as that" Guy admitted.
 ''This movement" the duke said. 'has been looked upon with growing dis taste and disfavor in Russia. Russia is the traditional and inevitable enemy of your country. Russia had, may go so far as to say, made up her mind for war with England very soon after her first reverses at the hands of Japan. l am telling you now what is a matter of common knowledge among diplo- matists when tell you that it was the attitude of my country-of France which alone has stayed her hand"
 This is very interesting" Guy said, "even to me, who have never taken any interest in politics, but
 Wait! Russia, as say, found us in- disposed to back her ill any quarrel with England. She turned then, of course, to Germany. We became aware, through our secret service, that some l thing was on. foot between the two countries. With our utmost vigilance we were unable to obtain any particu- lars. It is you, NJ. Poynton, who have brought us the first information of a definite character"
 Guy looked his amazement, but he said nothing.
 ITO you" the duke continued, "a se- cret meeting between these two mon- archs may not seem at all an astonish- ing thing. To us it is of the grayest political importance Some sort of an understanding was arrived at between them What was 1t? That sheet of pa per which was once in your possession might very possibly contain the clew. Now you can appreciate its importance | to us."
 What an ass was not to take more care of it." Guy muttered.
 There are other things to be consid- cred" the duke continued. "For the last month every backyard in Germany has been working night and day, and we have authertic information as to huge mobilization scheme which is al ready on foot We might have wonder ed against whom these preparations were intended but for you. As it is the English government has been fully apprised of everything. Your magnifi- cent fleet, under the pretext of seeing the. Baltic, squadron safely on Its. way, has been gradually concentrated. From dispatches to the German ambassador which we have managed to intercept in England we know that it is intended to raise 'casus belli' during the pres ence of the squadron in British waters. Quite unexpectedly, as 1t was hoped, Germany was to range herself on Rus sia's side and strike against England We, Russia's nominal ally, have had no intimation of this whatever We are apparently left to ourselves-ignore Our friendship with your country has destroyed Russia's friendship for us. She relies, no doubt, on our neutrality, and she makes terms, doubtless ab- surdly favorable ones, with our ancient enemy. In the eyes of the world France is to be made to appear ridiculous. The German empire Is to be ruled from London. and the Emperor Wilhelm's known ambition Is to be realized" Tt sounds" Guy admitted, Hike n nightmare. I know you foreigners all think we English are a lot too cock sure, but we have our own ideas, you know, about any attempt at invasion"
 'I am afraid" the duke said, "that when 1t comes to throwing a million men at different points of your coasts, protected by a superb navy, you might find yourselves unpleasantly surprised. But let that pass. Have said enough to make you understand the impor- tance of what you saw in the forest of Pozen? Good! Now want you to un- derstand this-in the interests of your country and mine it Is most important that the fact of our knowledge of this meeting should be kept profound se- cret.'
 Yes Guy said; T understand that"
 "Your presence there." the vicomte continued. created a certain amount of suspicion. You were watched to Paris by German spies. and if they had had the least idea of how much you had seen your life would not have been worth five minutes purchase. As 1t is, they are uneasy over your disappear ance. There are at least a dozen men and women in Paris and England to- day who are searching for you. You are moderately safe here, but not alto gether. want to put them finally of the scent. might. of course. put you into such confinement that detection would be impossible. do not want to do that You have rendered your own country and mine an immense service. I prefer to treat you ns a gentleman and man of honor and to take you, as I hope you will see that have done, into our entire confidence"
 "M. le Duc." Guy answered, q can assure you that appreciate all that you have said. am willing to do ex- actly as you say"
 Tomorrow mornings papers" the duke said slowly, twill contain an ac- count of the finding of your body In the Seine"
 My whatT" Guy exclaimed.
 
 Your body. We are going to stab and drown you. Perhaps I should say we are going to discover you stabbed and drowned