Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-19
CHATTER TX.
The Episode Of the English Anobassa

CHAPTER *.
The Episode Of the English Annbassa-
dor.
We are now ready for the extraor-
binary episode of Sir Mortimer Brett"
Locke resumed. Il think YOU viii find
that the narrative grows more inter
esting"
I trust So yawned.
"Sir Mortimer IS a comparatively
young man. 7 understand. But he has
already had IS years 20 his experience
as a diplomatist. He has been trusted
implicitly by the British foreign Office.
He has been nothing less than a die
tator in Bulgarian affairs. so far as
England IS concerned. There have
been repeated attempts TO BRIDE him.
But he has been strong enough to re-
sist all pressure-whether e be ex-
erted by the sultan or by Ferdinand
But after an unblemished record Of
Is years this Bayard ia politics has
fallen a victim 20 a vulgar intrigue
with a political adventures.
Countess Sarahof Is the adven-
turess- woman Of marvellous charm
and beauty. IL Is said she is the
friend OF Prince Ferdinand; perhaps
e is he who first melted her 20 entice
Sir Mortimer from the path OF reefs
tude. Certain it is that she has been
successful IN bringing Sir Mortimer
supinely 20 his knees before her. n
the gossip Of the embassies IS 20 be
believed.
Now I can give you the situation in
a nutshell IL Sir Mortimer is recalled.
II is all up with Macedonia so Tar as
immediate help from Bulgaria Is con
cerned. Sir Mortimer's successor as
consul general win certainly be the
present vice-consul. and he IS known
10 be strongly adverse 20 the Mace
donian cause. Our Jewish banker will
refuse his loan 90 Ferdinand: Ferdi-
nand viii be unable and unwilling 20
subsidize an army. Macedonia's strug-
gle viii come to nothing for the pres.
emit
This banker must have remarkable
faith in Sir Mortimer" I suggested
"to think that he can influence the
British foreign Office when his reputa-
ton Is already tottoring"
MY dear Haddon. have been let
ting you behind the scenes. Our
banker friend In all probability has no
inkling OF Sir Mortlmer's impending
fan. There is nothing TO damn a man
politically because ne IS In love with
a woman. Il IS true that there have
been innuendoes In plenty OF the pa
pers. But who believes the papers?"
And a kings messenger has al
ready been sent 20 Sofia 20 demand
Sir Mortimer's recan?" asked.
thoughtfully.
so they say. and now I come 90 a
really humorous phase OF this episode
OF Sir Mortimer Brett When the
kings messenger arrives at sofia ne
Will be unable 20 deliver his dis
patches; he viii find that his bird has
hown."
What Sir Mortimer has left his
post. and with this woman"
LESS than a week ago Sir Mortimer
was seen with Countess SarahoH here
in Lucerne. He had left Sofia sud
denly under the plea OF sickness.
whether real or assumed. And now
he has disappeared again from here.
and has left absolutely no trace Of
his whereabouts"
$50 that when the kings messenger
comes here he viii stiu be unable TO
deliver his dispatches. AS you say Il
IS an extraordinary state OF affairs.
suppose that Sir Mortimer continues
20 be a properly credited ambassador
until he receives those dispatches"
Undoubtedly"
And in the meanwhile there IS a
hue and cry for him?"
my dear fellow. I have told you
repeatedly that you are behind the
scenes. Ostensibly Sir Mortimer has
gone TO the mountains for his health.
But the arrival here in Lucerne of the
mother and daughter IS significant"
'"They come TO rescue him from the
influence OF Countess SarahoH Of
course. But II she has disappeared
with Sir Mortimer"
Il saw you flirting with her at the
kursaal about an hour ago" said
Locke, smiling at me grimly.