The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-08-02
THE SALT LAKE HERALD: SUNDAY. AUGUST 2 1908

80 my Sell, the OSQer SdlO, 90 no
believe that England would be so easily
overpowered.'
''It is the suddenness and PREACHER,
of the attack which counts SO great,
in its favor" his companion said. "I
might be all over in two days before sh,
could assemble a fifth part of hel
forces. If our information is correct
Germany has men enough modified Il
run huge risks. Besides, you know
how Lafarge's report ran, and what hi
said. The German army is beginning
to suffer from a sort of dry rot, as mus,
all institutions which fulfill a different
purpose than that for which they exist
The emperor knows II. If war does no,
come Germany will have to face severe
military troubles"
II myself am for the alliancew
And l." the other replied, If proof
OF this Germano-Russian understand.
ing could be produced"
| Monsieur Grisson returned He care
fully closed and locked the door behind
him.
Gentlemen" he said, "the German
ambassador has just left me. His mis-
sion in every way confirms our secret
information. He has been instructed to
inquire as to our attitude in the event
of any British interference with the
|
The two men looked up expectantly.
Monsieur Grisson continued:
Il replied that it was a contingency
which we scarcely thought it worth
while to consider. l expressed my firm
belief that England would observe all
the conventions, written and under
stood, 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 view to ensure the delay
of the fleet. He went on to saw that
Germany was determined not to toler-
ate 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 reply?"
Il 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 this?" the
young man asked, touching the treaty
with his forefnger.
None. 1t is believed in Germany
that the young Englishman was
really found drowned in the Seine after
n.
friends served us well here Now, gem
tlemen. the English ambassador will be
here in twenty minutes. What am to
say to him? Do we sign this draft
agreement or do we not?"
There was a silence which lasted
nearly minute. Then the younger of
the two spoke.
Sir" he said respectfully, without
some proof of Russia's falsity 1 cannot
see how in honor we 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
herr
And your Monsieur Grisson asked,
turning to the third man.
Il agree" was the regretful answer.
IF this treacherous scheme is carried
out l believe that France will be face
to 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" Mon
sieur Grisson said with a sigh. 1--WE
must ten Lord Fothergill that our re-
lations with his country must remain
unfettered. l.
Again the telephone bell rang. Mon
sieur Grisson listened, and replied with
sudden return to his old briskness of
manner.
1T is young De Bergillac," he an
nounced. He has been in England in
search of that missing page of the
treaty. l have told them to show him
in
The vicomte entered, paler than ever
from recent travel, and deeply humili-
ated from the fact that there was a
smut upon his collar which he had had
no time to remove. He presented a
paper to Monsieur Grisson and bowed.
The president spread it out upon the
table. and the faces of the three men
as they read became a study. Mon
sieur Grisson rang the bell.
Monsieur de Due de Bergillac and a.
young English gentleman" he told the
attendant, ARE in my private retiring
room. Desire their presence"
The servant withdrew. The three
men looked at one another.
IF this is genuiner" the younger
murmured.
at is the Russian official paper" his
vis-a-vis declared. holding it I'D to the
light.
Then the Due de Bergillac and Guy
Poynton were ushered in Monsieur
Grisson rose to his feet.
Monsieur Poynton," he said, 1--WE
have all three heard your story as to
what you witnessed in the forest of
Pozen. 1t is part of your allegation
that page OF writing from the private
car which you were watching was
blown to your feet. and that you picked
1t up and brought it to Paris with you
Look at this sheet of paper carefully.
Tell me If it is the ONE
Guy glanced at it for a moment, and
handed it back.
1T is certainly the one" he an
swered. If you look at the back you
will see my initials there and the date"
Monsieur Grisson turned it over
quickly. The two other men looked
over his shoulder. and one of them gave
little exclamation. The initials and
date were there
Then Monsieur Grisson turned once
more to Guy. He was not a tall man,
but he had dignity, and his presence
was impressive. He spoke very slowly.
Monsieur Guy Poynton." he said, sit
is not often that so great an issue
that the very destinies of two great
countries must rest upon the simple
and uncorroborated story of one man.
Yet that is the position in which we
stand today. Do you think that you
are being treated with distrust I