Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-06-04

ambassador coming down the steps OF
the Bourse. He was alone, and car
ried in his hand with some ostenta.
peared to be bursting with share GER
tificates. / stopped and waited for his
excellency to reach the pavement.
You fiatter me too much" said,
answering his remark. Il was not
about to trouble NM de Rothschild.
In fact, l was on my way to the office
of the Temps; but l am in no hurry,
II you should desire my escort as a
protection for the vast sums which
see you are bringing with you"
The ambassador affected to glance
at his pocketbook as If he had remem-
bered it for the first time, and at once
proceeded to stow it inside the breast
of his coat.
You will at least consent to break
fast with me in one of those cafes
which are patronized by the gentle
men of the Bourse, and which l am
told are not so bad" he said, putting
his arm in mines The spring sun
shone brightly on the pavement and
the fronts of the houses. and the APP
proach to the Bourse was crowded
with flower girls, who offered US their
nosegays as we moved away.
The business which l have trans
acted this morning has reminded me
of an affair of which believe we have
never spoken together" the ambassa-
dor continued, land which only hes
itate to tell you about because of the
disagreeable light in which it places
celebrated minister of your country"
do not refrain any longer on that
account, beg of you," responded, as
we walked along in search of cafe
worthy of his excellency's patronage.
Whether it is Mr.. Asquith or Lloyd
George whom you refer to, it viii be
indeed strange If you have anything
to tell me worse than %have been ac-
customed to read every day in the
party newspapers of England"
The ambassador smiled
You are right in what you say" he
returned. 1T is not a question of AS
Quith or Lloyd-George, however, but
of the famous Beaconsfield."
Before ! could make any reply, he
stopped abruptly in front of a res
taurant whose appearance seemed to
inspire him with confidence. We en-
tered, and the ambassador, who was
evidently In a generous mood, ordered
a sumptuous repast, to be ushered in
with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. AS
soon as the waiter had departed, bow
ing to the very ground, his excellency
took up his napkin and his parable.
In the autumn OF the year 1875 l
was sent for by M. Buffard, who at
that time held the portfolio of foreign
affairs, to his private residence. On
my arrival found him closeted with
M. de Lesseps. that great man whom
France forgives the mistakes of his
old age. in consideration of the glory
which he shed upon her in the past.
i had already made the acquaint-
ance of De Lesseps, whose former con
nection with the diplomatic body had
naturally increased the interest with
which l regarded him. On this oc-
caslon he received me with great cor
diality, as did the minister, who at
once introduced the subject on which
they wished to consult me.
have invited you here he said.
not on political business, but in order
TO ascertain If you are disposed to
accept a private mission which the
Vfcomte de Lesseps wishes to entrust
TO you. Although in the execution of
this mission you will be acting with.
out instructions from my department
yet | believe you will find that the
services which you render to M. de
Lesseps will by no means displease the
French government
I will put the matter before Won
in two words he said. The khediva
OF Egypt Is the possessor of 176. 600
shares in the Suez Canal company.
which it is believed that he NAV he
willing to dispose of. A syndicate of
capitalists has been formed here.
which is anxious to acquire these
Shares, and it has been suggested that
you should be asked to proceed to
Cairo as their agent, to sound the
khedive on the subject, and if possible
to negotiate the purchase.
Is the syndicate of which vou
speak connected with the canal com.
pany. by any chzghce?' asked De Les.
geps.
He shook his head decidedly.
am not even myself interested
in it, he answered. except from the
point OF view that, as chairman of the
company, | desire to see these shares
placed in the hands of the companv's
friends. However. have provided INV.
self with list of the members of the
syndicate.
He handed me a document contain.
ing about dozen names. Two or three
were those of bankers of some repute.
the remainder were absolute nobodies
OF whom had never heard.
stared at him in absolute conster.
nation.
But my dear vicomte, exclaimed
have you any assurance that these
persons command the necessary funds
to carry out so enormous a transac.
ton? This will be an affair of a hun.
dres millionsi'
e I answer for that part OF IT, in.
terposed the minister. before De Les.
seps had time to speak. There will
be no question of the money being
found
And in case the kbediva sbo,Ia