Tombstone epitaph., 1915-05-23
pears that Lord seroy objects to .neir


 proceedings. for a reason which 1t is not easy to understand. and ne has even forbidden the poor khedi7e to en- certain an offer which 1 was empow- cred to make to him on behalf of the associates
 The countenance of the English premier assumed an expression of the most profound annoyance.
 'Ridiculous,' he muttered It is incredible, What reason could he pos. sibly have had for this absurd prohi bition?
 It seems that they have persuaded him that there was political signifi- nance in this transaction. that these shares were to be acquired for the French government, in word.
 M. Disraeli turned on me a look of the most perfect surprise.
 But surely that it not SO? he in quired I have just understood you to tell me that there is a question here simply of private speculation?'
 Without doubt The government VI AAViuS iNStlA dlOOl from the affair, on the contrary.
 I understand Then what you ask of me is. to inform Lord Derby that he is mistaken in supposing that the French government interests itself in your negotiations?'
 Perfectly. I answered. little dis. concerted, however. Tn that case, am l forbidden to hope that you will pre- vail on him to withdraw his prohibit tion?
 There will no longer be any req son for maintaining it., was the reply. It is rather a question how he could ever have been deceived into a belief so groundless. Perhaps you can sug. gest cause for this strange mistaken
 Thus encouraged, ventured to pro- nounce the name of Colonel Warton, which NJ. Disraeli received with a frowu
 Tt happened that this officer met me in Cairo 1 explained, and became aware that I was in communication with Ismail Pasha. I did not believe myself obliged to take him into my confidence, and it is doubtless this re. serve which has provoked his inter. ference
 It is perfectly shameful the pre- mier exclaimed with immense indig. nation. You have done right to com. plain to me of this person, whose un- just suspicious have inflicted serious injury upon your friends
 It is true that the colonel had for. merly made my acquaintance over a diplomatic transaction, l added. and this may have caused him to connec, my proceedings with the idea of pol. itics.
 Nj Disraeli smiled, and shook his head playfully at me. An, baron you see that your ter. rible reputation pursues you he ob- served How can you be surprised if people refuse to recognize in the most astute diplomatist of Europe, the inno. cent traveller of a harmless commer. cial syndicate?'
 When I finally tore myself away he insisted on accompanying me to the door. where he renewed his ex. pressions of regret at Lord Derby's un. fortunate mistake. and warmly assured me of his own perfect belief in the in difference of the French government" The ambassador heaved a sigh, and commenced rolling up his napkin as if he had nothing more to tell me. Cn; story" I remonstrated, seeing him beckon to the waiter for his bilk
 His excellency shrugged his shoul ders.
 You compel me to resume? Good. The following morning a copy of the Times was laid before me at breakfast. l opened it, and the first thing on which my eyes fell was this passage:
 We have today to make a some. what startling announcement The British government have bought from the khedive shares of the Suez canal to the amount of fi,OO0,000 sterling. In the complete secrecy with which this transaction has been carried out. a transaction which it is impossible to separate in our thoughts from the question of England's future relations with Egypt, we trace the hand of MT. Disraeli.'
 And so on. I had been deliberate ly. shamefully deceived. While NJ. Disraeli was pretending to grant me everything I wished, he actually held the khedive's assignment in his pock- ct. It has been the most humiliating experience of my career" l tried to look as though l shared his excellency's indignation And did the French government take no action?' l inquired respect. fully.
 How could they? I have related what passed between us. This astute man had carefully set himself to draw from me an explicit assurance that my government were without interest in the disposal of these shares. If I had dared to remonstrate he would have replied that he was perfectly entitled to bid against a syndicate of private spectators. This heartless intrigue was too skillfully planned to leave any opening for protest"
 The ambassador rose abruptly. flung down a gratuity for the waiter