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462
RUSSIA IN DECLINE [chap, xxiii.
possible that in our country it may not be considered
necessary to reply to them. It is, however, more than
likely that I shall receive some answer to the telegram
which I shall send off this very day." " May I hope
for this answer within the next four days, for I am due
in Christiania then, and could not defer my departure
beyond that?" "Oh no! I could not possibly guarantee
such a prompt answer—if answer there be!" "Then
will you inform me on the telephone on Tuesday if the
answer from Petrograd has come? My number is . . ."
" No, M. Rizov, I shall not telephone to you; you may
telephone to me a few hours before your departure for
Christiania and I will answer if I have anything to tell
you." Rizov got up to go. " I see," he said, "that you
will not pay attention to what I have told you, nor will
you speak openly with me. But in a month, a month and
a half at latest, events zvill occur after which I feel sure that
on the Russian side they will be more disposed to talk with us.
Perhaps you will see me again then."
That evening I sent Pokrovsky a telegram in which I
related my whole conversation with Rizov and the
opinion of my allied colleagues on the subject of this
step taken by the Bulgarian Minister to Berlin. I
added that if those in Sofia really did wish to enter into
negotiations, Rizov—by virtue of his present position
and all his antecedents—would be the person the least
qualified to inspire confidence in us. In that case it
would only be interesting and profitable to speak with
influential Bulgarian generals or with their mouthpieces ;
and as the two armies were face to face on the Lower
Danube, it would be quite easy for the Bulgarians to
arrange an interview with us there.
Four days later, Rizov rang me up on the telephone.
" Have you received an answer, Monsieur ? " " No, not
yet." " In that case I cannot wait any longer. I am
leaving for Christiania this evening. Only I have one
more request to make to you : I trust that my proceeding
is not known to the representatives of your Allies."
" Listen, Rizov," I interrupted; " I avoid all such
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