The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1915-11-04


agents would tell me. l could not
step into the corridor and listen at the
| door Of their compartment. That was
not feasible, owing to the roar of the
train: besides, an ex-ambassador does
| not stoop to the antics Of q third-rate
spy.
We were just leaving Prague when
two men leaped for the carriage door
| and dropped breathlessly upon the
| seat facing me. One was short, stout
and dark, with sallow, oval face
| and short, upturned mustache. The
| other, tall, fair and slender, was his
exact antithesis. Their faces seemed
familiar to me, and, as l was trying
to assure myself whether I knew
them or not, the dark man Jumped to
his feet, addressed me by name, and
Wrung my hand. Then 1 knew him.
Doctor Mattel" exclaimed.
And permit me to remind you of
our former acquaintance" said the
other man, rising TO his feet and pre-
senting me with his card.
recognized him now as M. Max
Bunson. whom l had known slightly
in st. Petersburg, where he was for
a. time acting police chief. Doctor
Mattel had been fashionable physi-
clan at Rome when 1 was acting-am-
bassador there in the middle nine
ties. AS reputed go-between in
matters affecting tho relations of the
Vatican with the Quirinal he had en-
joyed an influence which I had al
ways suspected arose from a love OF
intrigue rather than from any real
responsibility. Still, Mattel, like
Bunsen, was gentleman, and not
one Of those adventures of the type
that fourishes in European capitals.
There is, I believe, popular delu-
sion that ambassadors and other rep
resentatives Of the powers are EN-:
bryo Machiavellis, liars, tricksters,
and humbugs, Ishmaels Of society
whose language is an extraordinary
mixture of guarded hints and evasive
threats. II some of those novelists
who draw this picture from their i'm
aginations could have heard our greet
ing they would have been surprised.
"Well!" said M. Bunsen, here are
we three old war-dogs on the trail
together again. l suppose Mr.. x,
that you, too, are watching a certain
party in the next carriage?"
assented-a little reluctantly, be-
cause one naturally likes to keep his
affairs to himself where 1t is posi-
bic.
1T looks like serious business"
said Doctor Mattel, with Won Gwin-
ner and Thyssen coming post haste
to Vienna"
And Won Heydebrand," added Bun
sen.
80" continued Mattel, "since we
three are equally interested in dis
covering why our friend the count is
bound for Vienna, think three heads
will solve the problem better than
one."
"You have your suspicions?" in
CURED
They nodded in turn and looked at
me. His imperial majesty attaches
good deal of Importance to the Al
bantam problem" said M. Bunsen.
That was the conclusion at which l
had almost arrived. And it simplified
the situation in way. For the pos
session Of Albania was the thorny u.s.
sue between Austria and Italy, and
hence Doctor Mattel would certainly
be working on the side of England in
this question, our government sup
porting his.
The situation of Prince William of
Wied had become impossible, and his
deposition from the Albanian throne
was only matter of days. Italy and
Austria had signed each se1f-deny-
ing ordinance in agreeing to Albania's
independence, but each was watching
the others actions. It would have
surprised no one had Austria sent a
force to occupy the country.
twelve thousand Italian troops are
on the sea, returning from Tripoi,"
said Doctor Mattel. "They could be
diverted into Avlona or Durazzo har-
Dor within twenty-four hours. On the
other hand, Italy would never violate
her agreement unless there we're the
strongest evidence that Austria is
meditating some hasty occupation of
Albania"
Herr Thyssen, you know, has in
terests near Skutari," explained M.
Bunsen. "And the Allgemeine Elek-
trizitats Gesellschaft could get enough
power from some of the Albanian
streams to light every city in the
Balkans"
well, gentlemen" said Doctor Mat
tel, If we are to learn anything. it
will have to be done during the next
two hours. before we get to Brunn.
not after the three men are together.
Now, believe that can relieve the
counts mind of all that is weighing
on it, If you will follow my lead i'm
plicitly."
Then you have mistaken your vo-
cation, my dear Mattel" said M. Bun
sen. 'You ought to be the record
ing angel"
Nevertheless, I am speaking seri-
ouslv, gentlemen" persisted the lit.
| ~