atz, and when I was there in 1902
the place was certainly a centre of disaffection. It was here that I
was told outright that Alexander must either divorce Draga--or go.
What was to follow was uncertain. They wished, if possible, to avoid
a revolution. I was even begged to work a propaganda in favour of
Petar Karageorgevitch in England. Above all to write to The Times,
and my informants said they trusted to my honour not to betray their
names.

Had I pursued the subject I have now little doubt that I might have
learnt much more and even have got in touch with the leaders of the
movement--if indeed I had not already fallen into their hands! But
it was my first contact with a plot of any kind and I instinctively
recoiled from having anything to do with it. It is almost impossible
for those who have led a peaceful life to realize that real human
blood is going to be shed. The thing sounded more like melodrama
than real life. But it was definitely stated that "something was
going to happen" and that I should watch the papers and see at no
distant date.

My new acquaintances were vexed that I should have$ been so harassed
in the early stages of my journey, but oddly enough ascribed it not
to the folly of their own officials, but to the fact that the
British Consul had not given me letters of introduction! "If your
own Consul will not guarantee you, of course it seems suspicious!"

This remark alone is enough to show the abyss that separated Serbia
from West Europe. Politics in the Near East are an obsession--a
nervous disease which may end in acute dementia and homicidal mania.

Having decided to confide in me, folk then began pouring out
disgusting tales about Queen Draga. So disgusting that I soon cut
all tales short so soon as her name occurred. Nor is it now
necessary to rake up old muck-heaps. One point though is of
interest. Among many races all over the world there is a widespread
belief that sexual immorality, whether in the form of adultery or
incest will inevitably entail most serious consequences not only
upon the guilty parties, but upon the community as a whole, and even
menace the existence of a whole people. Thebes, for example,
suffered blight and pestilence owing to the incest of Oedipus. I
found it widely believed in Serbia that before marrying Alexander,
Draga had been his father's mistress and was told emphatically that
the marriage must bring a curse. Serbia could never flourish while
she was on t