Tombstone epitaph., 1915-05-02

I welked down the street for a hun dred yards. jumped into the first empty one l met. and drove furiously to the Quai d'Orsay. 'I was lucky enough to find M. Fleu riot there. and at once communicated to him the terrible news which l had just heard.
 "The minister was absolutely stupe flea.
 "'Did Lord Soames tell you this? was his first question.
 "Lord Soames! No. I have not seen him for days. l answered. remember ing the caution l had received. The intelligence reached me direct from Berlin. by a channel which I am moi permitted to disclose. But you may rely upon itsAbsolute truth | M. Fleuriot tore his hair. Beast that l am!' he cried de spairingly. I ought to have suspected that this pretended alliance was one oi Bismarek's traps. And I believed ir | the faith of that Prussian,' l Then there is such a document? ? I exclaimed, little less dismayed thar | he was.
 Alas, yes! Their ambassador in sisted that the first written proposa | should come from us. l placed it ir his hands four days ago, and doubles: it is by this time in Bismarck's pos session. I have betrayed my country to that wretch!'
 T exerted myself to soothe him Finally I said;
 "'Give me letter to our ambassa dor in Berlin. and l will go there my self and regain this paper from Bis | marck's clutches
 | You will? Baron. you are an angel Do this. and you shall have the grand cross of the legion. l swear it. You FIeuriot will regard you as his savior.
 "On the second day arrived in Der | lin. My first step was to see our am bassador there, an upright and pains taking diplomatist. but man who va. by 10 means a match for the icferna craft of Bismarck.
 I caused him the greatest astonishment which was changed into chagrin as explained to him how he, like M. Fleu riot, had been duped by the pertidiou chancellor.
 But what you tell me is impos sible,' he exclaimed. I know the char acter of Wilhelm II too well. That h. should conceive the idea of trans forming the foreign policy of German does not surprise me, but that h should have the cunning to contriy plot of this kind is incredible. II is a Charles XII. not Machiavelli.'
 This was the very point on whicI desired to sound the ambassador. fixed on him an ironical smile.
 And what part has the kaiser il this affair, them asked him.
 He gazed at me in bewilderment
 Why, Prince von Bismarck 1T formed me'-he began. and stoppe short, chilled by the sarcasm of ID look
 Bismarck informed you that h was acting under the kaiser's instrut tions. But what assurance have yo that this was not part of the trck
 "'You must be right he exclaime at length. The kaiser never has r' ferred to the matter, though l hay twice conversed with him since it va preached
 T was satisfied It only remaine for me to put in execution the desig which 1 had conceived.
 "The following morning found me a the imperial palace.
 "As soon as had sent up my nam, was ushered up the great main stai case of the palace to the first landin stage and brought into his majesty private cabinet The kaiser, as I el tered. started up from table on whfc lay the design of a battleship an welcomed me with effusion.
 T thought it well to commence b administering compliment
 My government I observed, 'cI tertains sentiments of the most prt found respect for your majesty, and believes that you cherish no hostil feeling toward France
 "'Your government is right he il terjected. So long as France COT ducts herself with propriety, and r, frains from indulging in disturbin projects, she may assure herself of n good will
 : T affected to receive this condescel sion with delight.
 ''Ah, sire exclaimed, if my couI trymen could only,hear those graciou words! Such kindness makes m present mission easy. It is no dout an irregular thing for my governmer to communicate with your majest, except through the official channel! Our excuse is the high regard in whic France holds your majesty personal. and the belief that, in matters of fo eign policy it is no longer the Prime von Bismarck who exercises sole COT troll
 The emperor drew himself up. Il, "T am the only person who exc cises sole control in my empire b remarked with haughtiness. My chal cellor simply acts under my instru' tions'
 So my government was assured . sire, and that being so, it entertaine , negotiation which, had it proceede from the initiative of Herr von Bk |,