Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-05-28


times heavy, that is merely because
they contain a little gold which 1t Is
necessary to distribute among our
friends.
Used as was to the tangled paths
of political intrigue. could not alto
gether conceal my establishment at
hearing him pronounce the name Of
M. Starovitch. This was the prime min
lister, the head of the princes govern
ment, and although I had heard II
whispered that he was less favorable
to Vienna than his master. was Ger
tainly not prepared to find him In re-
ceipt Of Russian gold.
"Dourenski smiled at my look Of sur
prise
The premier is a discreet man, he
observed cynically. Should any unex-
pected difficulty arise while am away,
involving the interests of Russia, you
would not do badly to consult him.
THE matter was thus arranged. In
due course the Russian handed over
the care of his legation to me, and
took his departure.
Shortly after he had left the capt.
tai banquet was given at the palace.
to which received an invitation. The
affair was not one OF state, but good
many distinguished functionaries were
present, including the Austrian minis
ter and M Starovitch.
Il was received graciously by Prince
George, and with still more cordially
by his beautiful and distinguished con
sort When we sat down to dinner
found myself on the. left Of the
princess, who sat between me and the
prince. while the prime minister was
on my other side. The Austrian min
lister occupied the post Of honor on
Prince Georges right. mention these
details for a reason which you will
perceive presently.
Il have said that the banquet was
not state one. Nevertheless the pres
ence of so many high functionaries inn
parted to it more or less political
air. As the evening advanced, / even
began TO perceive something in the
atmosphere which warned me that this
gathering had some hidden signifi-
canoe. The prince, who was drinking
freely. had hardly exchanged word
with his wife since we sat down, while
he kept INDUCING in long confidential
whispers with the Austrian minister.
The princess, on her part, was evi.
IDENTIFY not at her ease. Whether OF
| not she suspected that something con
trary to her wishes was on foot, / am
unable to say. But she continually
glanced at the prince with an anxious
air, and then turned and conversed
with me In a light tone which was EVIL
IDENTIFY artificial. At the same time M
Starovitch, on my left, was growing
Yisibly nervous and depressed. while
the faces Of the other guests displayed
either triumph or apprehension, &C
cording to their secret sympathies.
Il had not long TO wait for the key
10 all this. AS soon as the dessert wal
placed before US, Prince George rost
to his feet with an abrupt air. and fill
ing his glass to the brim, called GU
with marked intonation:
Ladies and gentlemen, | ask yot
to drink the health of my very goot
friend and cousin, the Emperor Fran
els Joseph
1T was demonstration. II was i'm
possible to mistake the Significance 0
these words They meant that Prime
George had arrived at an understand
ing with the court of Vienna, and tina
the friends OF Russia In the primo
paIity were crushed.
Il turned from the exultant face 0
! the Austrian envoy, who saw thu
triumph OF his diplomacy. to tn
Princess Catherine. She had turne
deadly pale as she rose from her sea
in compliance with the princes 81
ample, and slowly lifted her glass /
her lips, as If each drop that it COZ
tanned were the most deadly poison.
THE prime minister managed /
conceal his chagrin with more skill
He drank the toast rs though 1t wer
meaningless ceremony. and quiet
resumed his seat by my side But q
: soon as the attention OF those mes
: us Was diverted for q moment, b
whispered softly In my ear:
Baron Dourensh is a prudeI
man. His absence has been we
timed.
This was the first suggestion to n
that any hidden strategy underla
, Dourenski's departure. began to fe
slightly uncomfortable, and to wis
that this astute Russian had not mat
: me the channel of his suspicious r
= mittances to the prime minister.
!. My uDeasiness was not removed
Starovitch's next words, uttered in Il
same low tone:
! There are certain precautiol
which the baron foresaw might b
: come necessary in the event of an
: thing Of this kind taking place. II
a necessity having now arisen. q
= compelled to ask you. as his repl
- sentative. to come to my assistance
> have in my pocket at this moment
= envelope containing certain papers
" the highest Importance, which it is
= sential that | should entrust to 20
!! care for a time
. Il could not restrain a look of {
= noyance at this suggestion. 1t was
q no means pleasant to find myself
?. voived in the t0rtuous maxes of RI
sian underground diplomacy, a dip
y macy of which | had heard a go
= deal, but with which had not pre-
t.