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 Metropole 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 o