Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-07-01

empty one | met, and drove furiously
to the Quai d'Orsay.
81 was lucky enough to find NJ Fleu-
riot there, and at once communicated
to him the terrible news which l had
just heard.
"The minister was absolutely stupe-
fied.
"Did Lord Soames tell you this?'
was his first question.
"Lord Soames! No, have not seen
him tor days | answered, remember
Ing the caution ! had received. The
intelligence reached me direct from
Berlin, by a channel which | am not
permitted to disclose. But you may
rely upon it's absolute truth
IN. Fleuriot tore his hair.
"'Beast that l ami he cried de-
spairingly, 4 ought to have suspected
that this pretended alliance was one of
Bsmarck,s traps. And | believed in
the faith of that Prussian!'
"'Then there is such document"
l exclaimed, little less dismayed than
he was.
"'Alas, yes! Their ambassador In.
sisted that the first written proposal
should come from us. | placed it in
his hands four days ago, and doubtless
it Is by this time in Bismarck's pos
session. | have betrayed my country
to that wretch!'
81 exerted myself to soothe him.
Finally said:
"'Gve me letter to our ambassa.
dor in Berlin, and l will go there my
self and regain this paper from Bis.
marcks clutches
you will? Baron, you are an angel!
Do this, and you shall have the grand
cross Of the legion, | swear it. Your
Fleuriot will regard you as his savior!
"On the second day arrived in Ber.
lin. My first step was to see our am
bassador there, an upright and pains.
taking diplomatist. but man who was
by no means match for the Internal
craft of Bismarck.
MY sudden appearance naturally
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 pertidious
chancellor.
but what you tell me is impos
sible,' he exclaimed. 4 know the char
acter of Wilhelm II too well. 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 contrive
a plot of this kind is incredible. He
is Charles XII, not Machiavelli.'
This was the very point on which
desired to sound the ambassador. ]
fixed on him an ironcal smile.
"'And what part has the kaiser In
this affair, them asked him.
"He gazed at me in bewilderment.
"Why, Prince Won 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 kaisers instruc
tions. But what assurance have you
that this was not part Of the trick?
"'You must be right he exclaimed
at length. The kaiser never has re
ferred to the matter, though | have
twice conversed with him since it was
broached.'
81 was satisfied 1t only remained
for me to put in execution the design
which | had conceived.
"The following morning found me at
the imperial palace.
"As soon as had sent up my name,
I was ushered up the great main stair
case 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
81 thought it well to commence by
administering compliment.
my government l observed, EN-
tertains sentiments of the most pro
found respect for your majesty, and 1t
believes that you cherish no hostile
feeling toward France.
"'Your government Is right he in.
terjected so long as France con-
ducts herself with propriety, and re-
trains from indulging in disturbing
projects, she may assure herself of my
good will
81 affected to receive this condescen-
sion with delight.
"'Ah, sire,' i exclaimed, If my coun.
trymen could only hear those gracious
words! Such kindness makes my
present mission easy. 1t is no doubt
an irregular thing for my government
to communicate with your majesty,
except through the official channels.
Our excuse is the high regard in which
France holds your majesty personally,
and the belief that, in matters of for
eign policy it is no longer the Prince
Won Bismarck who exercises sole con-
troll
"The emperor drew himself up.
81 am the only person who exer-
remarked with haughtiness. My chan
cellor simply acts under my instruc-
tions.'
$50 my government was assured,
sire, and that being so, 1t entertained
a negotiation which, had it proceeded
from the initiative of Herr Won Bis
march, we should have unhesitatingly
declined
"What negotiation do you refer to-?
asked the emperor, surprised.
II assumed my most innocent ex-
preston.
""To your majesty's proposal of
joint war against England, with the
object of restoring Egypt to France
"The kaiser bounded in his seat.