Nor was my reasoning at fault. I soon received the expected summons,
and it brought me into the most amazing of my diplomatic adventures-a
mission which showed me the utter ruthlessness that characterizes
foreign ministers, particularly when the vital interests of their
countries are concerned.
Word to appear at the Wilhelmstrasse came when the autumn holidays
were in full swing. The usual procedure of the Foreign Office having
been observed, I found myself in Count von Wedel's private study.
After an invitation to be seated, the Count surprised me. He
complimented me on my previous missions on the _entente cordiale_
situation, and handed me a pretty substantial check. It was actually
10,000 marks--$2,500--which the stubs of the royal check book will
show.
As I took the money he remarked "Seine Majest?¤t"--Foreign Office
brevity for conveying that His Majesty was satisfied. Without more
ado, von Wedel plunged into the subject. Leaning back and crossing
his legs, he began to talk in his abrupt way.
"I want you to go with his Excellency, Herr von Kinderlen-Waechter, as
his private attendant and secretary,'' began von Wedel. "I have
selected you because of your knowledge of English and your insight
into the whole matter in hand. There is to be a meeting of certain
statesmen in a certain spot in the range of the Schwarzwald. You are
to be the sole attendant of these gentlemen.
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