Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-27

believe that England would be so easi-
~ overpowered."
SIT is the suddenness and treachery
of the attack which counts so greatly
in it's favor his companion said. 1T
might be ali over in two days before
she could assemble a fifth part of her
forces. If our 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
to suffer from sort of dry rot, as
must all institutions which fulfill a.
| different purpose than that for which
they exist. The emperor knows It,
If war does not come Germany will
have to face severe military troubles"
81 myself am for the alliance"
land 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
cret information He has been in
structed to inquire as to our attitude
in the event of any British interference
with the Baltic fleet while in home wa
| ters."
The two men looked up expectantly.
| NJ. Grisson continued.
| II replied that it was a contingency
| al, worth
| while to consider | expressed my
| firm belief that England would OBJ
serve all the conventions written and
understood of international law"
"And hep
"He was not satisfied, of course. He
| declared that he had certain informa-
ton that England was making definite
plans with q view to insure the delay
of the fleet He went on to say that
Germany was determined not to toll
crate any such thing, and he concludes
| that we, as Russians ally, would at any
rate remain neutral should Germany
think it her duty TO Interfere
"And your reply?"
II 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 forefinger.
"None 1t is believed in Germany
that the young E2glishman was really
found drowned in the Seine after q
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
to him? Do we sign this draft agree
ment or do we not?'
There was a silence which lasted
nearly minute. Then the younger of
the two men spoke.
Sir" he said respectfully, without
some proof of Russia'S falsity cannot
see how in honor we can depart from
our treaty obligations with her to the
extent of signing an agreement will
her putative enemy. England must
fight her own battle, and God help
herr
"And you?" NJ Grisson asked. turn
ing to the third man.
Il agree" was the regretfui answer
IF this treacherous scheme is carried
out ] 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 friend il
distress"
''You are right. gentlemen" NJ. Girls
son said, with sigh. I'VE must tel
Lord Fothergill that our relations witt
p his country must remain unfettered
. | p
Again the telephone bell rang NJ
GrisSon listened and replied with
sudden return to his old brisknesS O.
manner.
$ ut is young De Bergillac" he an
= | nOunced. 'IIe has been to England il
search Of that missing page OF TIL
e | treaty. l have told them to show bin
. | in
o The vicomte entered, paler than eve
e from recent travel and deeply humili
ated from the fact that there was
= smut upon his collar which be had n
time to remove. He presented pape
y to NJ. Grisson and bowed The premie
@ spread it out upon the table. and tn
b faces of the three men as they rea,
:. became study. NJ Grisson rang tn
q | bell
f IN. lie Due de Bergilac and a youn
V English gentleman" he told the a
r tendant, ''are in my private retrin
J. room. Desire their presence"
:. The servant withdrew The thre
e men looked at one another.
e IF this is genuine" the yourge
d murmured
n at is the Russian official paper,
e his vis-a-vis declared, holding it up t
J, the light
N Then the Duc lie RarpilI1c and On