The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-08-06

lE "Thank your! laugh
ed John Armltage. to whom he had
spoken. You have lost none of youl
old amiability. but for a renowned diplo
mat you are remarkably frank. When
| called on you in Paris year ago
was able TO render you'll believe you
admitted it-a slight service"
Count Ferdinand Won Stroebel bowed
slightly. but did not take his eyes from
the young man who sat opposite him
In bis rooms at the Hotel Monte Rosa
In Geneva. On the table between them
stood an open dispatch box, and about
1t lay number Of packets Of papers
which the old gentleman, with char.
acteristlc caution, had removed to his
own side Of the table before admitting
his caller. He was burly old man,
with massive shoulders and great
head thlckly covered with iron gray
hair.
He trusted no one, and this accounted
for his presence In Geneva In March
Of the year 1903, whittier he had gone
to receive the report OF the secret
agents whom he had lately dispatched
to Paris on an errand OF peculiar deli
cacy. The agents had failed In their
mission, and Won Stroebel was not
tolerant OF failure.
II was not often that the light In the
old mans eyes was as gentle as now.
He had sent his secret agents away
and was to return to Vienna on the
following day. The young man whom
he now entertained In his apartments
received his whole attention. He pick
ed up the card which lay on the table
and scrutinized It critically, while his
eyes lighted with sudden humor.
The card was gentleman's carte de
visite and bore the name John Armi-
tagc.
Il believe this Is the same alias you
were using when saw you In Paris.
Where did you get itr demanded the
minister.
Il rather liked the sound OF 1t, SO ]
had the cards made" replied the young
man. Besides, It's English. and ]
pass readily for an Englishman. ]
have quite got used to It."
(Which Is not particularly credltable,
but It's probably just as well So"
Il hope you are WELL" said Armitage
kindly.
II am not am anything but well. !
am an old man. and ] have had no
rest for twenty years"
1T IL the penalty Of greatness. II is
Austria's good fortune that you have
devoted yourself to the affairs Of gov
ernment- I have read-only today In
the Contemporary Reyiew-an admlra.
bic tribute to your sagacity In han
ding the servian affair. Your work
was mastery. ] followed II from the
beginning with deepest interest"
The old gentleman bowed half un
consciously, for his thoughts were far
away. as the vague stare IN his small.
shrewd eyes indicated.
But you are here for rest. One
comes 10 Geneva at this season for
nothing else"
what brings you hereT' asked the
old man. with sudden energy. III the
Apen you gave me IN Paris are for.
reries and ycu are waiting
'yes Assuming that, what should ! /
te waiting forf-
II you are waiting for events-for
vents II you expect something To
AapI@nr'
Armitage laughed at the old gentle
mans earnest manner. asked II bs /
night smoke and lighted cigarette.
Waiting doesn't suit me. I though, /
roa understood that ! was not born 4
'or the waiting list You see. have
,rong hands. and my wits nre--Iet US
Jay AVERAGE
Won ssroelel elasped bis own hands
ogeiher more huniy and hent toward 4
artnilsEe searchingiy.
lis II true"-he turned sgain and /
glanced abont-~"is IL positively true
Rat the Archduks Kari is deadr