The Ely miner., 1915-10-29
Count Berchtold's Party
Revelations of An .c
Ambassador-ut-La Large
Transcribed by H. Egbert from the private of
an EnsGshman who for time unofficial diplomat
In the service of the British Government
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Copyright, 1915. by W. G. Chapman.)

his feet, addressed me by name, and
wrung my hand. Then | knew him.
Doctor Mattel" l 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
Bunsen. whom | had known slightly
in st. Petersburg, where he was for
time acting police chief. Doctor
Mattel had been fashionable pLysi-
clan at Rome when was acting-am
bassador there In the middle nine
ties. AS a reputed go-between in
matters affecting the relations of the
Vatican with the Quirinal he had en-
joyed an influence which l had al
ways suspected arose from love OF
intrigue rather than from any real
responsibility. Still, Mattel. like
Bunsen, was a gentleman, and not
one of those adventures Of the type
that fiourishes in European capitals.
There is, believe. a 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. If some Of those nevelists
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. suppose Mr.. Z,
that you, too, are watching certain
party in the next carriage?"
| assented-a little reluctantly. be-
cause one naturally likes to keep his
affairs to himself where it is posi-
BILE.
1T looks like a serious business"
said Doctor Mattel, with Won Gwin-
ner and Thyssen coming post haste
to Vienna"
And Won Heydebrand," added Bun
sen.
So" 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
quired.
They nodded in turn and looked at
me. His imperial majesty attaches
a good deal of Importance 20 the Al
banian problem" said M. Bunsen
That was the conclusion at which
had almost arrived. And it simplified
the situation in way. For the pos
session of Albania was the thorny is
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
Nied had become impossible. and his
deposition from the Albanian throne
vas only matter Of days. Italy and
austria had signed each a self-deny-
ing ordinance in agreeing to Albania 8
independence, but each was watching
the others actions. 1t would hare
surprised no one had Austria sent G
force to occupy the country.
Twelve thousand Italian troops arc
on the sea, returning from Tripoli,"
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 were the
strongest evidence that Austria is
meditating some hasty occupation of
Albania"
Herr Thyssen, you know. has in
terests near Skutari," explained nj
Bunsen. And the Allgemeine Elek.
trizitats Gesellschaft could get enough
power from some of the Albanian
streams to light every city in the
Balkans"
"Wen, gentlemen" said Doctor Mat.
tel, 'if we are to learn anything, it
will have to be done during the next
:wo hours. before we get to Brunn.
not after the three men are together
Now, believe that l can relieve the
counts mind of all that is weighing
IN it. if you will follow my lead i'm.
.slicitly."
Then you have mistaken your vo.
cation, my dear Mattel" said M Bun.
Sen. You ought to be the record.
ing angel"
Nevertheless, / am speaking seri
ouslv, gentlemen" persisted the lit.
tie doctor. pulling out his watch. in
an hour and forty minutes we shall
reach Brunn. The chief of the Saint
Therese hospital there is an old
friend of mine. Have you the nerves
to assist at an operation in the guise
| of assistant physicians? You. NJ
Bunsen, shall administer the chic.
roform. And our friend, Mr.. x
shall sterilize the instruments"
You are going to operate on the
counts head?" inquired Bunsen in
credulously.
Not on his head, but on his SOUL
| replied Doctor Mattel. But there is
no time to lose in offering explana
tions now. If you are with me, gen
tlemen, pray take your seats in the
adjoining compartment-not that in
which Count Berchcold sits. but on
the other side-and wait till you hear
| the cue
Our train was of the usual CONT
mental type. There was a corridor
running the length of the coach along
one side. communicating with the sew
eral compartments by means of doors
which could be kept open or closed
according to the wishes of the occu
piers. Each compartment was thus
accessible from every other. There