The Monticellonian., 1915-07-01

The minister was absolutely stupe fled.
 Did Lord soames tell you this ? was his first question.
 Lord Soames! No. have not seer him for days. I answered, remember ing the caution l had received. The intelligence reached me direct from Berlin, by a channel which l am not permitted to disclose. But you may rely upon it's absolute truth
 M, Fleuriot tore his hair.
 Beast that 1 am!' he cried de spairingly, I ought to have suspected that this pretended alliance was one ol Bismarck's traps. And I believed in the faith Of that Pfussiani
 Then there is such document? I exclaimed. little less dismayed than he was.
 Alas, yesl Their ambassador in sisted that the first written proposal his hands four days ago, and doubtless 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 a 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 anseli Do this. and you shall have the grand cross of the legion, I swear it. Your Fleuriot will regard you as his saYiorn His children shall be taught to intro duce your name into their prayers.
 He embraced me with tears. Then he wrote the letter at ny dietation, and also another document which l thought it we'll to have in reserve. Armed with these papers, l left him.
 ''0n the second day 1 arrived in Der. lin. My first step was to see our am bassador there, an upright and pains taking diplomatist, but man who was by no means a match for the internal craft of Bismarck. It was necessary for me to obtain certain information from him before proceeding to carry out the plan which I had formed in my mind.
 My sudden appearance naturally caused him the greatest astonishment, which was changed into chagrin as explained to him how he, like NJ. Fleu- riot. had been duped by the perfidious chancellor.
 But what you tell me is impes- sible.' he exclaimed I know the char. acter of Wilhelm II too we'll That he should conceive the idea of trans forming the foreign policy of Germany does not surprise me, but that he should have the cunning to eontrive a plot of this kind Is incredible He is Charles XII, not a Machiavelli.
 This was the very point on which desired to sound the ambassador. fixed on him an ironical smile.
 And what part has the kaiser in this affair, then?' I asked him.
 He gazed at me in bewilderment.
 Why, Prince von Bismarck in. formed me'-he began. and stopped short, chilled by the sarcasm of my look
 Bismarck informed you that he was acting under the kaiser's instrue- tions. But what assurance have you that this was not part of the trick 9 retorted. Has the kaiser himself spoken to you on the subject? Have you any proof that he has heard one word about this affair."
 This time he grasped my point. He passed his hand across his brow as il striving to recollect the events of the last few weeks.
 You must be right he exclaimed at length. The kaiser never has re ferred to the matter, though I have twice eonversed with him since it was preached
 'tI was satisfied. It only remained for me to put in execution the design which had conceived parted from my colleague, merely warning him to be careful not to betray the least dis trust in any dealings with the chan eellor
 sfhe following morning found me at the imperial palace.
 As soon as I had sent up my name l was ushered up the great main stair ease of the palace to the first landing stage and brought into his majesty s private cabinet. The kaiser, as en. tered. started up from table on which lay the design of battleship, and welcomed me with effusion.
 "I am charmed to see you once more,' he exclaimed. You behold me just making some final alterations in the plan for a new cruiser, on some details of which l find myself in dis agreement with my naval constructor Now-he consulted his wateh-.in if. teen minutes I am due at the theater to superintend the rehearsal of Goe the's Faust" in which l am making certain improvements. Till then let us chat. Will you sit down here, er come out into the park and see my new petroleum carriage, which I in, vented myself. with little assistance from Herr Maxim?'
 T think. sire. should prefer tc remain here, replied. as soon as he gave me an opportunity to speak. The fact is I have come on a rather deli cate mission, not exactly official in character, but one to which my gov ernment attaches much importance
 "The kaiser's manner changed al these words. He threw at me a quick glance of suspicion, and prepared te listen with an air of reserve.
 'I thought it we'll to commence by administering a compliment.
 ...MN enHernment ahservea .on