Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-05-13

gent woman. hefoas she had advanced
toward me. and prsnounced my name
with the most gratifying ardor.
As 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. l 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 AZ we came away togeth.
err. Probably he accused me ia his own
mind OF having deceived him. hut he
said nothing. and we parted on friend
ly terms: though he did not renew his
offer to become my cicerone in the
Egyptian capital.
The next day received this mes
sage from paris--of course In cipher.
Tell khedive we consider our tirst
offer represents the value OF shares.
but do not break on negotiation.
ITO compensate for this mortifica.
ton. found the khedive In yielding
mood. represented to him that the
hundred millions was the utmost that
my syndicate felt justified In paying.
and after very few words he gave
way, and definitely agreed to accept
that amount.
Late In the afternoon, on returning
to my hotel, found q telegram marked
Urgent waiting for me In my room.
1t was from NJ 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
Il knew in an instant to whom was
to attribute this frightful blow. Wheth.
er 1t was the beautiful Fatimeh. or the
khedive himself. who had betrayed me
II was evident that Colonel Wartou
had fathomed the secret OF my mis-
sion. and had instigated this Interior
ence OF his government
"On my arrival at the Quai D'Orsay
six days later. M. Buffard explained
the situation TO me.
What has happened he said, III
this. Lord Derby. who holds the port
folio OF foreign affairs. has verbally In
formed MI. Gavard, our representative
that the queens government under
stand that the khedive has been asked
to transfer his shares to a syndicate
acting on behalf OF the French gov
eminent, and 1t Ii to this that they
object. All that Ia necessary Ii ia
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 withdraw. You must proceed
to London at once. Do not trouble
yourself with Lord Derby. who liz q
mere instrument. Go straight to MI.
Disraeli, the premier; II Ia 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
Il could do nothing but obey. On
the evening or 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 Eau.
bourg st. German, and insisted on my
lighting cigar and refreshing myself
with brandy and settler. 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 posi-
tion to repeat them to the French
government
But / authorize you to repeat
them, even request it, he exclaimed.
falling to understand me.
ALAS! that IN impossible | Ell.
planned. I am not here in any official
capacity, and therefore | could not
take 1t on myself TO repeat expressions
addressed to me as private individ-
| ual.'
AN expression of apparent bewil-
derment passed over NJ. Disraeli's 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 | 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, | have yentured to come here
to ask OF you a favor on behalf OF
certain financial syndicate with which
/ am associated, and which feel sure
that you will not refuse
"'You would do wrong to doubt II,
my dear baron he returned with undi-
minished cordially. Rest assured that
IL this favor Ia In my power 1t IL al
ready yours. But explain yourself
"A thousand thanks. M. 10 Premier.
The affair Is one OF the simplest. The
syndicate I refer to is composed OF
certain wellknown capitalists, whose
operations have received n chark in