Tombstone epitaph., 1915-05-02

tiaSNeu, anu, ds sOou ds u was oNei, he rose up and. taking me by the arm. led me into his private study. l at once guessed what was coming. and, while accepting a cigar. determined that nothing should be extracted from me respecting the negotiation I have described. and of which NJ. Fleuriot had kept me partly informed.
 My dear baron he commenced. you and l are old friends. We should both be equally distressed if war were 10 break out between our two coun- tries
 Without doubt replied. affecting to consider the remark a mere chance observation. Let us be thankful that such an event is not in the least likely to take place. And l added to myself: Unless you refuse 10 give up Egypt
 He glanced at me with suspicion.
 How far you are in the confidence of your foreign ofice.' he said. I nei- ther know, nor do ask you to tell me. I desire to give you information, not to receive it.
 You are too good I murmured, more on my guard than ever.
 "l hope, at the same time, he went on. that what have to say to you may cause you to take action in what believe to be the interest of both countries. I am sure that if you use this information you will not allow its source to be discovered
 That is understood, of course.' replied. beginning to be really inter- ested
 Thank you. Let me say at once, then. that I have reason to believe that your government has recently proposed to the court of Berlin an of fensive alliance against England. with view to compelling US 10 evacuate Egypt in your favor
 'T was thundestruck at the accu- racy of his information.
 But. my lord this is some chimera. delusion, cried affecting the utmost increduiity. Such an idea is too ex- travagant for feuilleton,'
 Lord Soames smiled coldly.
 I have already said that do not ask you to commit yourself, my dear baron, he replied. I will assume, if you prefer it, that all this is news to you. But you have not yet heard what I wanted to tell you As you know. Great Britain has hitherto steadfastly refused to join the triple alliance for fear of being dragged by Germany into war against France. It is 10 your interest. ] think you will admit, that we should continue to hold aloof'
 T shrugged my shoulders without expressing any opinion on this point.
 Now pursued Lord Soames, we suddenly find ourselves placed in this dilemma Prince Bismarck has in- formed our ambassador in Berlin that he will accept your proposal unless England accedes to the triple alliance within a week from today, and un- dertakes to employ her navy in a blockade of the French coast as soon as war is declared
 "I was overwhelmed. The revela. tion of this atrocious duplicity on the part of Bismarck completely stunned me. Knowing what I did of his char acter, it was impossible to doubt the truth of Lord Soames' disclosure It was evident that the whole of the negotiations with our foreign office had been a deliberate ruse in order to obtain the means of discrediting us in the eyes of Great Britain. It was the Belgian trick of 1870 over again!
 q could have wept It was with the utmost difficulty that concealed my consternation from the keen eyes of the Englishman.
 "'You have been deceived, my friend answered. in a tone of great confidence. That Bismarck should make such assertions does not sur prise me in the least But it is a mere invention of his own. believe me. If such a thing had been on the carpet, I am the first person with whom M FIeuriot would have communicated
 Lord Soames listened to me with an air of indulgence, as if had been a child
 Again permit me to remind you that am simply giving you a warning | for your own benefit he said. I have only to add that the prince has prom ised to show our ambassador the writ. ten French proposal. signed by NJ Fleuriot, next Saturday. Unless you can reclaim that document by then England will join the alliance. and war will be declared within a fortnight Tt was useless for me to make fur ther protests. They were wasted on this man of ice.
 "1 am obliged to you for your | friendiiness.' 1 said, rising. No doubt the whole story is some clumsy fabri cation of Prince von Bismarck's, which 1t will be easy to disprove. If should chance to meet NJ. FIeuriot, however l will inform him of these islanders
 We returned to the drawing-room and chatted with Lady Soames fol twenty minutes. in order to show that my mind was at ease. then an nounced that I had . headache and took my leave.
 T refused to allow the servants oi the embassy to call me a cab. lest they should overhear my destination