(_A FACT FOUNDED ON FICTION._)
The sharp, bright little Traveller made his way to the Cabinet of M.
CARNOT, and disturbed him at work.
"Do you know, M. Le Président," said he, "that the Russians are in
secret treaty with the English, and the Russo-French Alliance is all
nonsense--the most unreliable of broken reeds?"
"Well, no," replied CARNOT, "I have not heard anything of the sort;
and, if anyone should be up in it--"
But the Traveller did not want to hear the rest, for he was once again
on his road, telling everyone he met the disquieting intelligence,
and, consequently, the French people were greatly troubled.
He was soon in Berlin. He did not ask for an interview with the
KAISER, but took one.
"Your Royal and Imperial Majesty," said he, "are you aware that Italy
is in secret accord with France, and that the Triple Alliance is a
sham, and that the cry _À Berlin!_ may be renewed at any moment?"
"Well, no," said the Emperor, "I have not heard this; and if anyone
should know anything about it, I fancy--"
But the Traveller did not wait for the KAISER to finish the
sentence, but was off again, telling everyone he met the disquieting
intelligence. And, consequently, the German people were greatly
troubled.
Then the Traveller obtained admission, in the same unceremonious
fashion, to the apartment occupied by the Emperor of AUSTRIA.
"King of HUNGARY," said he, "are you aware that you cannot possibly
rely upon your German neighbour, because the KAISER has a secret
understanding with the CZAR, by which the Principalities will be
included in Russian territory, and the Rhine secured from French
invasion?"
"No, I have not heard it," was the answer; "and, if it had been the
case, I imagine that--"
But again the Traveller left without waiting for the completion of
the sentence, and went his way telling everyone he met the disquieting
intelligence. And consequently, the Austro-Hungarian peoples were
greatly troubled.
And now the Traveller was in the presence of the Emperor of ALL THE
RUSSIAS. Again he had obtained admission without the preliminary of an
official introduction.
"Little Father," said the Traveller, "are you aware that your youthful
relative in Berlin is coquetting with France and England, and you may
find the whole of Europe marshalled against you?"
"Well, no I have not heard it," returned the CZAR; "and I really
think--"
But the Traveller never learned what the CZAR really thought, for he
was away before His Imperial Majesty had completed the sentence. And
as he went away, after his usual fashion, he spread the disquieting
intelligence, and consequently the Russian people were greatly
troubled.
And now the Traveller was in Cairo. He presented himself before the
KHEDIVE without waiting for the English adviser.
"Your Highness, do you know that the British Army of occupation is on
the eve of departure?" said he.
"What, in spite of Lord ROSEBERY going to the Foreign Office!"
exclaimed the SULTAN's vassal, in a tone of considerable astonishment.
"Of course," replied the visitor. "Everything was settled long ago,
and before Christmas there won't be a red-coat in Egypt!"
"Indeed," returned His Highness, "I certainly have not heard it, and I
fancy--"
But the Traveller departed without ascertaining the drift of the
KHEDIVE's fancies, and on his road, strictly according to precedent,
spread the disquieting intelligence, and consequently the Egyptian
people were greatly troubled.
And now the Traveller was once more back in London. He entered Capel
Court and rested himself. He said nothing. It was unnecessary, for he
was well known, and his stories had already been discounted.
"Ah, my little friend RUMOUR," said Mr. BULLBEAR; "you have come back
again! And now you can rest for awhile, until we want you after the
next account."
So RUMOUR is waiting in the Stock Exchange until he is wanted after
the next account!
* * * * *