Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1915-10-08

L gut uOAU VI AOI correspondence al.
mitrien had begged her to return to
Sofia, but, since she found the Bulga-
rian climate uncomfortable, Dimitrieff
has come to Vienna on the eve of war
to say good-by to her. The queens
opposition made Bulgaria impossible
for Mademoiselle Celeste, you know"
| Dimitrieff! Dimitrieff! Suddenly /
bethought myself of a young military
officer of Bulgarian birth, fellow at
tache with me at Berlin, a man whom
had known very well indeed when
Prince Alexander and Stambuloff were
the storm center of Europe during the
turbulent period of the eighties.
l had followed the careers of most
| of my former friends through the
newspapers. knew that Nicholas
Dimitrieff had risen high in his pro-
fession of arms, and that a Nicholas
Dimitrieff was now war minister of
the belligerent little state that was
the chief partner in the newly formed
Balkan league against Turkey. The
thought that this might be my old
| friend silenced all my scruples about
| listening further.
l was not surprised that Dimitrieff
had succumbed to the fascination Of
Mademoiselle Celeste, a woman of
Russian birth, who had recently made
a tour Of the Balkan principalities.
So Dimitrieff had rushed off to
Vienna upon the eve of war, to see
her, carrying important papers with
him. How like Dimitrieff Of old days!
/ remembered certain escapade out
| of which / had once helped him, his
protestations Of eternal gratitude. and
a very warm feeling toward the man
| whom / had not seen for so many
| years swept over me.
HE is staying at the Hotel Metz,
under the name of Ivanoff," the little
man continued. 1.-THE tailor has seen
him, and feels confident that he can du-
plicate the dress coat. The grease is
arranged for, and the hotel valet has
been instructed that you will buy the
discarded coat"
How do you know for certain that
he has those papers?' / asked, trying
to conceal my loathing for the little
spy.
"Our agent sat in the same compart-
ment with him during the entire jour-
ney from Sofia to Vienna. Now, our
man observed that Dimitrieff con-
stantly put his hand to his pocket dur
ing the journey, as If to satisfy him
self that the papers were there. I'm
doubtedly he is carrying them in his
pocket"
l tried to keep my face impassive.
In my day diplomacy, subtle though
| it might be on occasion, never resort
ed to the substitution of dress coats.
However, it seemed to me incredible
that Dimitrieff would leave the papers,
which were evidently so valuable, in
the wrong pocket.
The little man leaned forward and
spoke Immediately into my ear.
"The alternative plan of attacking
Dimitrieff was considered" he said,
but it was felt to be impossible.
Apart from the certainty that Dimit-
rieff is armed, one cannot assault a
minister of a foreign state in the
streets Of Vienna, even though he is
travelling incognito.
mo. You are quite right" I an
swered.
I'VE sounded Mademoiselle Celeste
without her knowledge, but we found
that she could not be Influenced, be-
ing fellow Slav. However, If she
shares the psychological nature Of
women, she will do everything that is
necessary without the least suspicion
that she is aiding us. Do you stay
long at Vienna, mein herr? It was
my intention to go to Agram, and
should have started at noon, had not
word reached me that you were in the
capital"
Il cannot tell you," answered.
MY plans are-well, indefinite"
"Of course" answered the spy,
smiling. And where shall the dress
coat be brought tomorrow morning?"
gave the fellow my address at the
Hotel Families. l also gave him my
own name, which he undoubtedly con-
sidered nom de plume, for his smiles
and winks became so outrageously IA
miliar that left him.
But / wondered who was supposed
to be as / strolled up the Koenig-
strasse.
That the Austrian government had
urgent need of certain documents vi
tai to Bulgaria had no doubt. That
the diplomats OF the dual monarchy
had resorted to particularly shabby
trick to obtain them was evident. OF
course. the little spy was go-be-
tween. But those other men in the
club
I could never enter the Diplomats
club again. The atmosphere there
was intolerable. If the new diplo-
macy was represented by the type
of man who seemed to predominant
there, / would prefer to associate with