This is what I want you
to do. You will go at once to Constantinople and find out which of
the court officials are in French and Russian pay. You will find out
the favorites of the high officials and officers, especially the
nationality of these women. I will not give you any points of
introductions. They might lead you to be suspected. They are a
crafty lot down there. Be careful and take your time. You know
nothing can be done in a hurry down in that country,"--he paused as if
waiting for questions from me. We discussed a few minor points then
he said:
"Your official number with us from now on will be 1734. You will
always use 17 to sign personal cipher messages sent to me. You will
use 34 in signing official reports and communications."
The necessary arrangements for my preliminary expenses were discussed
with one of his secretaries and I then went back to my quarters to
think over a plan of campaign and prepare myself for the mission. The
transfer from Captain Tappken's department pleased me for I knew that
at the Wilhelmstrasse I would be in closer touch with the bigger
affairs of diplomacy. Tappken had hinted at my finding favor with the
Wilhelmstrasse and I guessed that coming on top of my Port Arthur
success a delicate private mission was responsible for it. To cite
the case:
Germany keeps a watch on all her officers. When one of them is
spending more money than his income, he is promptly investigated.
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