Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1915-10-08
Copyright. 1915. by W. g. Chapman.)

cleverest minister in Europe.
Cynic that he was, he would, be-
Neve, have overlooked my indiscre-
ton at Madrid. But he died three
months before that episode. to which
/ have no intention of abiding further.
1t is an axiom that British represen-
tative must have a nawless record,
and a score Of years as an attache at
nearly every European capital in turn
did not save me.
Naturally was embittered, and my
four years of retirement were the
lonelinest I had ever spent. When
petitioned Sir Edward Grey for rein
statement, even in some minor post, /
had little hope that he would listen
to me. When, therefore, he sent for
me to Downing street you can judge
of my citation.
But his first words dashed my hopes
completely.
IN. x, what you ask is impossi-
ble," he said. Il do not think you
were culpable in that Spanish mat
ter. But you were indiscreet enough
to make reinstatement in the regular
diplomatic service impossible"
The word regular" seemed unusual
enough to rekindle my hopes slightly.
He saw that / had understood that
there was something more to be said,
aid, taking me confdentially by the
arm, he asked me to be seated.
you can serve the government
greatly" he said, land In this way.
There are great events pending. We
are skirting the edge of the greatest
confiagration since Napoleon's day.
You know what was behind the scenes
in 1909, when Austria annexed Bosnia;
also in 1911, when Germany chal-
lenged France by sending the Panther
to Agadir.
There's war spirit abroad. It's
like some evil thing which civilization
has downed, rising up to down civil
cation. This new spirit is an artif1-
cial thing. 1t is an organized thing.
Somebody is at the back Of it, manu-
featuring it, melting it with the ex-
penditure of unlimited money, for
very concrete reasons of his own. /
want you to use your ability and
knowledge in running him down.
Find out who he is and what his pur-
pose is. Will you accept the post of
ambassador-at-large to Europe?" he
ended, with that charming smile
which is said to be the secret of nine
tenths Of his success.
l accepted the mission. And that
was how found myself in Vienna, the
gossip capital of Europe. l had not
been there for number Of years.
felt sure, however, that the key to
the situation lay here, where every
body comes, sooner or later, and ev-
erything that is being done in other
capitals comes to a correct focus.
/ meant to steep myself In the po-
litical atmosphere, to get a grasp up
on those contemporary events which
are never recorded in the newspapers,
before beginning my Investigations.
knew how much turns upon the rela-
lions between king and his c0nsort,
q crown prince and his father; an am
bassador's indiscretion, dignitary's
religious conversation, or club wait
er's memory of conversation over
the port.
I was on my way to the Diplomats
club, at Koenigstrasse, of which l had
always remained an honorary men,
Der.
As I passed through the district Of
0fHn
saw one or two persons watching me
rather closely.
Presently saw before me the two
Corinthian pillars that flank the en-
trance to the Diplomats club.
AS | made my way into the nearly
empty smoking room and took a chair
at the end of the room farthest from
the door, saw the club members re-
garding me furtively.
Then, one by one, they rose up and
went out unostentatiously, and yet
with certain appearance OF concert
ed action.
All except one man, who, as the last
to leave passed through the door. got
up and came quickly toward me. l
perceived a little, wizened fellow.
without trace of that hall mark of
breeding which in my day had been
the primary qualification for admis-
sion to the Diplomats club. He took
the empty chair nearest me, drew it
UP close. and. leaning toward me,
said in low tone and with mix
ture of familiarity and ingratiating
Difference:
1--WE are assured beyond doubt that
Dimitrieff has those papers in his
pocket
I said nothing. have always been
q good listener, and the little man
seemed pregnant with mysterious rev.
Citations.
I'VE know why he left Sofia on
Thursday night, and why he is in
Vienna" pursued the little man. ut