I have had reasons, besides my pledge to
Archduke Karl, for taking an active part in these affairs. A year ago I
gave Karl's repudiation of his second son to Count Ferdinand von
Stroebel, the prime minister. The statement was stolen from him for the
Winkelried conspirators by these men we now have locked up in this
house."
The Ambassador's eyes blazed with excitement as these statements fell one
by one from Armitage's lips; but Armitage went on:
"I trust that my plan for handling these men will meet with your
approval. They have chartered the _George W. Custis_, a fruit-carrying
steamer lying at Morgan's wharf in Baltimore, in which they expected
to make off after they had finished with me. At one time they had some
idea of kidnapping me; and it isn't my fault they failed at that game.
But I leave it to you, gentlemen, to deal with them. I will suggest,
however, that the presence just now in the West Indies, of the cruiser
_Sophia Margaret_, flying the flag of Austria-Hungary, may be
suggestive."
He smiled at the quick glance that passed between the Ambassador and
Judge Claiborne.
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