Part 15 (1/2)
”Upon my word, I think you're going to be a success, Jesson,” he declared. ”Perhaps you can tell me what we did talk about?”
”I believe I almost could,” was the calm reply. ”In any case, I think I see the situation as it exists. Mademoiselle Karetsky is a wonderful woman. She has a great, open mind. To a certain extent, of course, she has seen things from the point of view of Paul Matinsky, Immelan, and that little coterie of Russo-Germans who see a future for both countries only in an alliance of the old-fas.h.i.+oned order. Matinsky, however, has always had his doubts. That is why he sent over here the one person whom he trusted. Presently she will make a report, and the whole issue will remain with her. Immelan knows this and pays her ceaseless court. My impression, however, is that his influence is waning. I believe that to-day he is terrified at the bare reflection of how much Naida Karetsky knows.”
”You believe that she does know exactly what is intended?” Nigel asked.
”I am perfectly certain of it,” Jesson replied. ”If she could be induced to tell us everything, my journey to Kroten might just as well be abandoned. Yet somehow I do not think she will go so far as that. The most that we can hope for is that she will advise Matinsky to reject Immelan's proposals, and that she will perhaps bring some influence to bear in the same direction upon Prince Shan.”
”I am inclined to agree with Jesson,” Nigel p.r.o.nounced, ”inasmuch as I believe that Mademoiselle Karetsky is disposed to change or modify her views concerning us. You see, after all, this threatened blow against England is purely a private affair of Germany's. There is really no reason why Russia or any other country should be dragged into it. She is the monkey pulling the chestnuts out of the fire for her most dangerous rival.”
”Matinsky might be brought to think that way,” Chalmers observed, ”but they say half the members of his Cabinet are under German influence.”
”If Matinsky believed that,” Nigel declared, ”he is quite strong enough to clear them all out and make a fresh start.”
”In the meantime,” Maggie interposed, ”I should like to know in what way you propose to use poor little me? I am not to go to Germany, the man whom I at one time seriously thought of marrying is told off to engage the attentions of another woman, Mr. Jesson here is going to Kroten, and he doesn't show the slightest inclination to take me with him. Am I to sit here and do nothing?”
”There remains for you the third enterprise,” Jesson replied, ”one in which, so far as I can see,” he continued, with a smile, ”you have not the faintest chance of success.”
”Tell me what it is, at least?” she begged.
”The conversion of Prince Shan.”
Maggie made a little grimace.
”Aren't you trying me a little high?” she murmured.
”Very high indeed,” Jesson acknowledged. ”Prince Shan, for all his wonderful statesmans.h.i.+p and his grip upon world affairs, is reputed to be almost an anchorite in his daily life. No woman has ever yet been able to boast of having exercised the slightest influence over him. At the same time, he is an extraordinarily human person, and success with him would mean the end of your enemies.”
”It sounds a bit of a forlorn hope,” Maggie remarked cheerfully, ”but I'll do my little best.”
”Prince Shan has abandoned his idea of landing at Paris,” Jesson continued. ”He is coming direct to London. I have to thank Chalmers for that information. Immelan will meet him directly he arrives, and their first conversations will make history. Afterwards, if things go well, Mademoiselle Karetsky will join the conference.”
”I fear,” Maggie sighed, ”that there will be difficulties in the way of my establis.h.i.+ng confidential relations with Prince Shan.”
”There will be difficulties,” Jesson a.s.sented, ”but the thing is not so impossible as it would be in Paris. Prince Shan has a very fine house in Curzon Street, which is kept in continual readiness for him. He will probably entertain to some extent. You will without doubt have opportunities of meeting him socially.”
Maggie glanced at herself in the gla.s.s.
”A Chinaman!” she murmured.
”I guess that doesn't mean what it did,” Chalmers pointed out. ”Prince Shan is an aristocrat and a born ruler. He has every sc.r.a.p of culture that we know anything about and something from his thousand-year-old family that we don't quite know how to put into words. Don't you worry about Prince Shan, Lady Maggie. Ask Dorminster here what they called him at Oxford.”
”The first gentleman of Asia,” Nigel replied. ”I think he deserves the t.i.tle.”
CHAPTER XII
On the morning following the conclave in Belgrave Square, the Right Honourable Mervin Brown received two extremely distinguished visitors in Downing Street. It was doubtful whether the Prime Minister was altogether at his best. There was a certain amount of irritability rankling beneath his customary air of bonhommie. He motioned his callers to take chairs, however, and listened attentively to the few words of introduction which his secretary thought necessary.
”This is General Dumesnil, sir, of the French Staff, and Monsieur Pouilly of the French Cabinet. They have called according to appointment, on Government business.”