" He had flicked an order for 3000 marks, about $750, across
his desk. "Anything you wish elucidated?"
Not having met the Countess, I had requested her description. Pushing
a button, Count von Wedel had given the answering secretary an order;
within three minutes I was shown the photograph of the lady and her
signature, of which I took a copy. Having no further requests I had
bowed myself out.
My first act was to cash the order; second to decide and prepare the
character I wished to assume in Monte Carlo. I decided on a South
African mine owner. I know considerable about mining, and being well
acquainted with South Africa, the Rand and Transvaal, I had the
advantage of knowing my locality first. A Secret Service agent is
always careful to choose a character with which he is fully familiar.
One is certain to meet, sooner or later, men in the same walk of life;
and unless one be well primed, one is bound to be "bowled out." I
knew there would be South African mining men at Monte Carlo.
Procuring necessary papers, such as mining journals, quotations, a
couple of South African newspapers and photographs, I went home and
had my man carefully select and pack my wardrobe. I caught the
midnight Lloyd Express. Selecting a pleasant middle compartment, and
getting my seat registered, I made myself comfortable and began to map
out a campaign. This was rather a tough problem.
Pages:
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104