Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1920-12-24
THE WHITE THREAD
Chronicled BY ALLEN UPWARD

T. II N In - ~
observed cynically Should any unex'
pected difficulty arise while am away,
involving the interests of Russia, you
would not do badly to consult him.
"The matter was thus arranged. In
due course the Russian handed over
the care of his legation to me, and
took his departure.
"Shortly after he had left the CAPT.
tai a banquet was given at the palace,
to which l received an invitation. The
affair was not one Of state, but a good
many distinguished functionaries were
present, including the Austrian minis.
ter and M. Starovitch.
II was received graciously by Prince
George, and with still more cordially
by his beautiful and distinguished con.
sort. When we sat down to dinner I
found myself on the left Of the
princess, who sat between me and the
prince. while the prime minister was
on my other side. The Austrian min
lister occupied the post Of honor on
Prince Georges right. mention these
details for q reason which you will
perceive presently.
II have said that the banquet was
not a state one. Nevertheless the pres.
ence Of 80 many high functionaries i'm
parted to it a more or less political
air. As the evening advanced, even
began to perceive something In the
atmosphere which warned me that this
gathering had some hidden signif{-
canoe. The prince, who was drinking
freely, had hardly exchanged word
with his wife since we sat down, while
he kept INDUCING in long confidential
whispers with the Austrian minister.
II had not long to wait for the key
to all this. As soon as the dessert was
placed before aus, Prince George rose
to his feet with an abrupt air, and FILL
ing his glass to the brim, called out
with marked intonation:
"'Ladies and gentlemen, l ask you
to drink the health of my very good
friend and cousin, the Emperor Fran
els Joseph
1T was a demonstration. It was i'm.
possible to mistake the significance of
these words. They meant that Prince
George had arrived at an understand
ing with the court Of Vienna, and that
the friends Of Russia in the princi-
pality were crushed.
81 turned from the exultant face of
the Austrian envoy, who saw this
triumph of his diplomacy, to the
Princess Catherine. She had turned
deadly pale as she rose from her seat
lin compliance with the princes ex-
ample, and slowly lifted her glass to
her lips, as if each drop that it con-
tanned were the most deadly poison.
"The prime minister managed to
conceal his chagrin with more skill.
He drank the toast as though 1t were
Ia meaningless ceremony, and quietly
resumed his seat by my side. But as
soon as the attention Of those near
JUS was diverted for a moment. he
whispered softly in my ear:
"sBaron Dourensh ID a prudent
man. His absence has been we'll
timed.
"'There are certain precautions
which the baron foresaw might be-
come necessary in the event Of any.
thing Of this kind taking place. The
necessity having now arisen, am
compelled to ask you, - his repre-
sentative, to come to my assistance. I
have In my pocket at this moment IN
envelope containing certain papers of
the highest importance, which It 10 e.
,sential that should entrust to your
care for q time
81 could not restrain . look Of an.
noyance At this suggestion. 1t was by
no means pleasant to find myself in
ivolved in the tortuous mazes of Rus
sian underground diplomacy, a diplo-
macy Of which / had heard q good
deal, but with which had not previ-
ously come into direct contact.
"'You may bring the packet you
speak Of to my residence tomorrow, II
you please answered coldly. I will
put it in 4 place Of safety till my
VVASO8US AOSVAu9.
N. starovitch gave . slight frown.
~ dare not wait till tomorrow he
returned quickly. The papers are Of
too much Importance. and It 10 impos-
Dible to foresee what may follow this
move. I must beg you to let me pass
this envelope to you now, under tho
shelter Of the table. We do not know
who may be observing u.s. ;
while I was endeavoring to give
my attention to their highnesses, +,
became conscious Of 4 light touch on ::
my knee. Affecting to play with my !
gerviette. I gradually allowed my left !
hand to descend out Of sight beneath
The table, and my fingers at once !
came in contact with the envelope Of
which StAsovitch had spoken. I care
eully took hold Of 1t, and seizing the
Inst moment when the princes eyes
were turned away, 1 managed to set
the packet up under my coat and into
my breast pocket Whether anyone