Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-08-12
gent woman, before she had advanced
toward me, and pronounced my name
with the most gratifying ardor.

Will lll6 ulOSL 81 dIlly lnS
LAS for the poor colonel, he was SIM
ply struck dumb at perceiving that my
acquaintance with the inner arrange
ments of the Egyptian court was not
less than his own. | enjoyed my tri.
umph over him with trepidation, how.
ever, for dreaded every moment lest
Fatimeh should make some reference
to the motive of my former visit.
THE colonel maintained an obsti
nate silence as we came away togeth-
er. Probably he accused me in his own
mind Of having deceived him, but he
said nothing, and we parted on friend
ly terms; though ne did not renew his
offer to become my cicerone in the
Egyptian capital.
THE next day l received this mes
sage from Paris-of course in cipher:
"'Tell khedive we consider our first
offer represents the value Of shares,
but do not break off negotiation
ITO compensate for this mortifica-
ton, found the khedive in a yielding
mood. l represented to him that the
hundred millions was the utmost that
my syndicate felt justified in paying,
and after a very few words he gave
way, and definitely agreed to accept
that amount.
Late in the afternoon, on returning
to my hotel, found telegram marked
Urgent waiting for me in my room.
1t was from M. Buffard himself, and
contained these words:
British government has heard Of
intended purchase and objects. Re-
turn to Paris at once, en- route for
London
II knew in an instant to whom | was
to attribute this frightful blow. Wheth-
er it was the beautiful Fatimeh or the
khedive himself, who had betrayed me,
it was evident that Colonel Warton
had fathomed the secret of my mis-
sion, and had instigated this interfer-
ence of his government
"On my arrival at the Quai DOrsay,
six days later M. Buffard explained
the situation to me.
"'What has happened he said, is
this. Lord Derby, who holds the port
folio OF foreign affairs, has verbally In
formed M. Gavard, our representative.
that the queens government under
stand that the khedive has been asked
to transfer his shares to syndicate
acting on behalf of the French gov
ernment, and it Is to this that they
object. All that is necessary Is to
convince them that the negotiation
proceeds from privae syndicate, en-
tirely independent Of US, in which case
we may hope that their prohibition
will be withdrwn You must proceed
to London at once. Do not trouble
yourself with Lord Derby, who is a
mere instrument. Go straight to M.
Disraeli, the premier; 1t Is to him that
we must address ourselves. Explain
to him on whose behalf you are act
ing, and the affair may yet be ter
minated satisfactorily
81 could do nothing but obey. On
the evening of the following day, the
25th of November, reached London,
and as soon as | had changed my
dress, drove straight to Downing
street
THE English premier received me
with an urbanity worthy of the Fau-
bourg st. German, and insisted on my
lighting a cigar and refreshing myself
with a brandy and seltzer, before he
would permit me to say word.
You must not think you are a
stranger to me- he was good enough
to say. I am not ignorant of the dis
tinguished reputation you have earned
among the European chancelleries.'
"'Your sentiments do me too much
honor, M. lie Premier I responded. I
only regret that ! am not In a posi-
tion to repeat them to the French
government
but | authorize you to repeat
them. even request it, he exclaimed,
failing to understand me.
Alas! that is impossible, l ex-
planned. I am not here in any official
capacity, and therefore | could not
take it on myself to repeat expressions
addressed to me as private individ-
ual.'
An expression Of apparent bewil.
derment passed over NJ Disraelis face,
to be succeeded by one Of cordial
friendliness.
Then you are not here on behalf
of your government!' he cried out.
This is a visit which l owe to your
personal regard for me! insist that
you shall allow me to refill your glass
"'You distinguish me too much in
consenting to place me on such foot
ing, | answered, slightly confused. In
effect, l have ventured to come here
to ask Of you favor on behalf Of q
certain financial syndicate with which
am associated, and which feel sure
that you will not refuse.
"'You would do wrong to doubt 1t,
my dear baron, he returned with undi-
minished cordiality Rest assured that
If this favor is in my power 1t is al
ready yours. But explain yourself
"a thousand thanks, M. le Premier.
The affair Is one of the simplest. The
syndicate I refer to Is composed Of
certain well-known capitalists, whose
operations have received a check In
consequence of a Misrepresentation ere
ated in the mind of Lord Derby
"'You astonish mel M. Disraeli
spoke in tone Of surprise. The next
moment he lay back in his chair and
smiled good-naturedly, as he added: r.
but after all 1t Is not only you
who have had to face the disagreeable
task of combating misapprshension
in Lord Derbys mind. You will doubt
less tell me the particulars?'
"'But that Is what l desire The
syndicate of which have spoken, and