Not wishing any one, however high in my confidence, to know too much of my movements, I ordered him to remain seated in the railway carriage, while I slipped out of the station and into the closed brougham for which I had telegraphed from Dover.
I had said in the wire that I wished to be driven to a hotel in Piccadilly. It was not till I found myself in Cockspur Street that I pulled the check-string, and ordered the coachman to take me to Buckingham Palace.
I mention these details in order to show that my precautions to insure secrecy are always of the most thorough character, so that, in fact, it would be quite impossible for any one to unveil my proceedings unless I voluntarily opened my lips.
The instructions which I received from Lord Bedale were brief and to the point:
“You are aware, of course, Monsieur V——, that there is a possibility of war breaking out before long between Russia and Japan.”
“It is more than a possibility, I am afraid, my lord. Things have gone so far that I do not believe it is any longer possible to avert war.”
His lordship appeared gravely concerned.
“Do you tell me that it is too late for you to interfere with effect?” he demanded anxiously.
“Even for me,” I replied with firmness.
Lord Bedale threw at me a glance almost imploring in its entreaty.