Chapter IV: When Royalty Gets Double-crossed
6. The next entry was:
"On the Orient Express, or what was the O.E. before the Grosse General Stab took over the whole job of mixing up these schedules.... Well, well, well, the veiled lady of the Métropole and Buckingham is in trouble in the next compartment ... at least so she says!... She just came into my compartment and said she had been insulted by the man who is sharing it with her.... Confound him!... BUT ... Now I've heard of such 'plants' before.... While I'd like to go in there and kick the brute through the partitions I believe discretion is the better part of valor.... Let her call the guard if the case needs attention.... The guard is a reservist and I believe she knows it.... Furthermore, I must be at Donaustrasse 24, Budapest, tomorrow, and meet Colonel Shuvalov at the Hotel de Paris, Belgrade, the day after.... I wonder if that petit Paris looks the same as when I met my old friend Count Arthur Zu Weringrode and Kazimir Galitzyn coquetting with Cecilia Coursan, Mlle. Balniaux and the Petite Valon at the card tables after our sparkling dinners a few years ago.... And where is that fire-eating Prince now?... He was a great friend of Grey and Churchill at Monte Carlo.... and notwithstanding that meeting in the Taunus they MUST BE friends YET.... The Monte Carlo combination HOLDS good today.... The Taunus meeting so far as Haldane and Winston Spencer were concerned was a frame-up to catch Waechter and 'His Whiskers' (both the Admiral and the General).... That's where the Wilhelmstrasse FELL DOWN!... and yet I am on a mission of mercy, in behalf of one of the principal double-crossers, today!... Must see Kovalsky at Donau 24 sure.... Mademoiselle must take care of herself today...."
The next entry read:
"This is a great combination--Roumania is sidestepping
Wilhelmstrasse.... Greece is tying up with Servia, Bulgaria is
likely to form a wedge between a complete coalition of these mutually
hating and suspicious grafters.... Montenegro is the only honest
combination in the whole bunch.... In another hour I will see Kovalsky
and astonish him with the news I bring."
7. Then the following entry: "K---- is absolutely opposed to taking
any part in this business.... Will not raise a hand without the
sanction of CHARLES.... Looks as though I'll have to bring pressure on
these despairing creatures.... They wanted the Balkans,--that was the
deal in the Black Forest,--and because some one doesn't hand it to
them on a silver platter they complain of der Grosse General Stab's
neglect!... At two I get my answer.... If O.K. I'll be in Odessa in 48
hours unless that veiled minx of the Métropole sticks a knife under my
fifth rib.... Her conduct is becoming mighty suspicious!... Watch me
give her a run for her money!"
8. Then there was this entry: "Charles refuses to see me but tells
K----not to put any obstacles in my way.... this is a pretty mess!... How in the devil am I to slip through the lines with those devilish English and French officers scattered around everywhere?... If Roumania had only listened to reason!... I think that Mackinzen will be able to help me out,--I might as well ask Envir Pasha as these dervishes of Sofia to lend a hand in this affair!... Yet I must, simply MUST be in Odessa in time to meet Vladimir K before the order of execution!... Either that--or jump into the Danube!"
9. The following entry is significant: "I have been deaf, dumb and
blind for the last 24 hours! The veiled lady was responsible.... She
had me kidnapped and carried out into these infernal hills, wherever
they are.... Never saw them before.... Looks as if a cyclone hit
them.... One can pick up enough shells and scrap iron to stock
a foundry.... The trees are all shot off--nothing but stumps and
slivered trees and broken wheels and boxes littered around.... Looks
like SOME FIGHT had taken place in this strong-smelling hopyard
among these hummocks.... Apparently the hogs have been rooting up the
ground all around here.... There isn't a sign of a living thing
in sight ... and not a drop of water to be had!... WHO was that
woman?... The Baroness, who?... Must find out more about Syvorotka."