s done it was well done.
The Voyvoda and the Kapetan told me that every country in Europe had
accepted King Petar except England and that the Serb Minister had
been sent from London. "England," they declared, "has often been our
enemy." They hoped that good, however, would result from my journey.

The whole of my return to Cetinje was a sort of triumphal progress.
Jovo Martinovitch, the Serdar at Kolashin, was delighted to hear of
the Ipek expedition, but admitted frankly that he had not dared
propose it himself. Voyvoda Lakitch, he said, was well informed and
no doubt knew the moment at which it could be safely attempted.
Every place I passed through was of opinion something was about to
happen soon. Next year the route to Gusinje would be open. At
Podgoritza I was received by the Governor Spiro Popovitch and taken
for a drive round the town.

I arrived at Cetinje in time for dinner and appeared in my usual
corner. Mr. Shipley and Count Bollati hailed me at once saying that
they thought I was about due. Where had I been? "Ipek," said I.

The effect on the diplomatic table was even more startling than upon
Montenegro. "But the route is closed!" said every one. I assured
them I had nevertheless been through it, and Mr. Shipley said if he
had had any idea I was going to attempt such a thing he would have
telegraphed all over the place and stopped it. At the same time he
admitted, "I rather thought you were up to something," and gave me a
piece of excellent advice, which I have always followed, which was
"Never consult a British representative if you want to make a risky
journey." Really, he was quite pleased about it and crowed over the
rest of the diplomatic table, that the British could get to places
that nobody else could. I received a note next morning from the
Bulgarian diplomatic agent praying for an interview.

He had not been long in Cetinje, but later became one of the best
known Balkan politicians. For he was Monsieur Rizoff, who, as Bulgar
Minister at Berlin, played a considerable part in the Balkan
politics of the great war.

He was a Macedonian Bulgar born at Resna, a typical Bulgar in build
and cast of countenance, and a shrewd and clever intriguer. His
excitement over my journey was great and he wanted every possible
detail as to what were the Turkish forces and where they were
situated. I told him that I understood a rising was planned. And he
told me quite frankly that all was being prepared and a r