card with his signature across it, a reproduction of which is
presented on this page)." If meetings or conferences take place, you
must obtain the tenor thereof. Here is an order for your primary
expenses." 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. To be in the
slightest degree successful, I had to get near, and if possible in
touch with the ministers that Count von Wedel had designated. How is