The Red Cloud chief., 1907-09-27
CONTINUED

himself not to keep me more than five
minutes. | had better receive him. Tx
cuSe me, gentlemen"
The two men were left alone. The
elder and stouter of the two busted
himself with IN inch rule and al atlas.
lie seemed to be making calculations
as to the distance between Cherbourg
and Il certain spot in the North sea.
"What Is the chiefs own mind?' his
companion asked. "Does any one
know"
The other shook his head.
who can say? Our ties of friend
ship with England are too recent to
make this n matter of sentiment. | be.
licve that without proof he fears to ac-
Ccpt this statement. And yet above all
things he fears Germany. There was
some talk of n missing page of the ac-
tual treaty between Russia and Ger
many. If this could be found | believe
that he would sign the draft treaty"
81 myself" the other said. ''do not
believe that England would be SO east
ly overpowered.'
1T is thS s~uddenness and treachcry
- N'N Wv w y 'AAlh ~ q
in its favor" his companion said. 1T
might be all over in two days before
she could assemble q fifth part of her
forces. If u information is correct
Germany has men enough modified to
run huge risks. Besides. you know
how Lafarge's report ran and what he
said. The German army is beginning
70 suffer from a sort Of dry rot. as
must all institutions which fulfill a
they exist. The emperor knows 1t.
If war does not come Germany will
have to face sever military troubles"
II myself am for the alliance"
And l." the other replied. "if proof
OF this Germano- Russian understand.
ing could be produced"
NJ. Grisson returned. He carefully
closed and locked the door behind him.
Gentlemen" he said, "the German
ambassador has just left me. His
mission in every way confirms our Sc
rret information. He has. been in.
structed to inquire as to our attitude
H. the event of any British interference
with the Baltic feet while in home wa
terS"
The two men looked up expectantly.
N. Grisson continued.
II replied that 1t was a contingency
which we scarcely thought 1t worth
while to consider. I expressed my
firm belief that England would OBJ.
serve all the conventions written and
understood of international law"
"And he?"
"He was not satisfied, of course. He
declared that he had certain informa-
ton that England was making definite
plans with a view to insure the delay
OF the feet. He went on to say that
Germany was determined not to toll.
crate any such thing. and he concludes
that We, as Russia's ally, would at any
rate remain neutral should Germany
think it her duty to interfere"
and your replyT
~ answered that in the event Of I'M
toward happenings France would act
as her honor dictated, remaining al.
ways mindful Of the obligations of her
alliance. He was quite satisfied"
"He had no suspicion of thisT' the
young man asked. touching the treaty
with his forcfingcr.
None. IL Is believed in Germany
that the young Englishman was really
found drowned in the Seine after a
short career of dissipation. Our friends
served us well here. Now, gentlemen,
the English ambassador will be here
In twenty minutes. What am | to say
10 him? Do we sign this draft agree
ment or do we not?"
There was a silence which lasted
nearly a minute. Then the younger of
the two men spoke.
Sir" he said respectfully, without
some proof Of Russia's falsity l cannot
see how In honor W. can depart from
our treaty obligations with her to the
extent Of signing an agreement with
her putative enemy. England must
fight her own battle. and God help
her!'
And your NJ. Grlsson asked, turn
Ing to the third man.
II agree" was the regretful answer.
"lf this ~treacherous scheme Is carried
out | believe that France will be face
10 face with the greatest crisis she has
known in history. Even then | dare
not suggest that we court dishonor by
breaking an alliance with a friend In
distress"
You are right, gentlemen" NJ. Girls
son said, with a sigh, I'VE must tell,
n Ae1 INAfIn.Ktl tI,. 80 81