"Put up at the Continental. If I have any further instructions, I'll
wire in cypher."
"Very well," I replied, and as I went forth I met on the threshold a
servant in the royal livery who had come to summon the trusted Minister
to another audience with his Sovereign.
Eager to fulfil my mission to the satisfaction of the eccentric old
statesman, who, if to others was a martinet, was to me a firm and
sympathetic friend, I at once set out, crossed to Dieppe that night, and
duly arrived in Paris next day. Shortly before noon I presented myself
at the handsome official residence of the British Ambassador, and was
quickly ushered into his presence. We were not strangers, having met on
several occasions when he visited London and called to consult the
chief; therefore he welcomed me cordially when I entered his private
room. The Marquis was a tall, brown-bearded, pleasant-faced man, who
had graduated in the Constantinople and Vienna schools of diplomacy
before being appointed Ambassador in Paris, and who had achieved
considerable reputation as a skilled negotiator of the most delicate
points.
Seated opposite one another in softly-padded armchairs, we chatted
affably for perhaps a quarter of an hour. First, he inquired after our
chief's health, and then endeavoured to ascertain from me the policy
about to be pursued towards Russia in view of our recent strained
relations, but I strenuously avoided answering any of his
artfully-concealed questions. A dozen times, with that consummate tact
acquired by a lifetime of diplomacy, he endeavoured to get me to hazard
an opinion or express a doubt, but I always refused. Lord Warnham's
instructions were that I should say nothing of those affairs of State
which, in my capacity of private secretary, were well-known to me, hence
my determination to maintain silence.
Presently the Marquis smilingly exclaimed, "Lord Warnham has evidently
taught you the first requisite of the successful diplomatist--namely,
secrecy. You've borne well the test I have applied, Deedes. By the
same questions I have just put to you I could have learnt just what I
wanted from half the diplomatic circle here in Paris, yet you have
fenced with me admirably. I shall not omit to mention the fact to Lord
Warnham when next I call at the Foreign Office."
I thanked his Excellency, adding, with a smile, "One learns the value of
silence with our chief."
"Yes," he answered, slowly tapping his table with a quill. "He's a
curious man, extremely curious. His very eccentricity causes him to be
feared by every Cabinet in Europe. Is he really as impetuous and
strange in private life as he is in public?"