The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1915-10-07


to perfection by merely glancing at
his figure, and doubtless the suit case
had been opened on the train and your
dress coat fully examined as to cut
and lining. But you ought to have
looked at the pockets before putting
| your document inside.
ut is an axiom of mathematics that
an addition of probabilities does not
| produce an improbability, and every
thing that transpired was in accord
ance with this law, and based upon an
| intimate knowledge of human nature.
1t was probable that you would not
| perceive the little thread which hung
down from the interior pocket of your
| coat-at least, until it revealed itself
against your black trousers, when you
| sat down in the opera box.
1T was probable, even then, that
Mademoiselle Celeste would observe
| it before you did. It was probable
that she would pluck it away. Any
woman would do that.
when the thread was pulled, the
elastic bottom of the coat pocket came
open and the papers dropped into the
| lining. When the thread was pulled
away from the material the pocket
went back into position again
when your coat was ruined by the
| tar it became obvious that, instead of
| packing it in your suit case, you
would leave it for the hotel valet.
| Thus everything is explained. And
so Bulgaria goes to war next week and
| smashes the Turk, whereas, had the
paper been lost, the Turk would smash
her, and Austria would profit by the
breaking down of the Balkan league,
which now bars her march south to
| the sea-"
YES" said Dimitrieff briskly. '1t
| is characteristic of Austria to attempt
| by fraud what she would never dare
to attempt by force of arms"
| "Some day she will resort to arms.
| Don't doubt that" l answered. BE
ready, Nicholas. And now question.
What in the world has happened to
the Diplomats club? l went into our
old quarters on the Koenigstrasse--"
| What" shouted Dimitrieff. why,
my dear boy, the Diplomats club has
| been on the Ringstrasse for fifteen
years at least. The old quarters are
occupied by the Ticker club-interna-
tional spectators and shady hangers
on. That's where Louis Weisknopf
hangs out-Weisknopf Of the syndi-
/ cate"
What syndicate?" I inquired.
| "a new amalgamation of great in
terests, formed to unity the worlds
landed interests, wheat fields, and
mines; to gain possession Of all the
wealth of the world and guard it
against confiscation. They're in pow
er in several countries now, and they
are convinced that the future lies with
the Teuton, and are backing Germany
| and Austria for all they are worth"
/ $50 that explains why Weisknopf is
in league with the government" /
unused. I've been out of diplomacy
so long that I've got everything to
learn over again. But I'm beginning
| to see daylight now. And, incidental
| ly, have accomplished the main part
| of my mission. They're plunging for
war, Methodist"
within two years." answered Dimit-
rieff. Before the Triple Alliance trea-
ties expire in 1915, and not before the
Kiel canal has been deepened, in 1914.
That's why we are going to settle up
with Turkey first. Here comes my
| train. You'll be in Sofia some day?
Au revoir, and million thanks to
you"
| / watched the train bear him away
with mingled grief and gladness:
grief for the parting, gladness that I
could still remain a member of the
Gossips' club.