way than we poor devils of Serbia and Montenegro. In
return for the taxes they pay they get roads, schools--what you
will. Our taxes all run out of the breeches pockets of those Two
Families (Petrovitch and Karageorgevitch). The war is not ended, but
I can tell you those Two Families will go and never return. Our King
is in France. If the French want a king, they may keep him!"

"And who is responsible for killing the Archduke?"

"Who knows? It was done certainly by some of those mad students of
Belgrade. You remember how they tried to kill King Nikola? Well!
The Serbs wanted war. Now they have got it let us hope they are
content. Politics, as you know, are all cochonnerie. As for me, I
have had enough, and I wash my hands of them."

His account squares with others. The Greek Minister in Cetinje, who,
as a neutral remained there, related that not long after King Nikola
left Montenegro a telegram from Vienna arrived inviting him to stay.
Prince Danilo was already abroad when the crisis arose. Serbia as
well as Montenegro made an attempt to come to terms with Austria in
1915, it would appear, from an unsigned convention, a copy of which
has been lately reported to have been found in the archives at
Vienna. It would account for the fact that in spite of the advice of
more than one English authority, they persisted in making no
preparation for the further defence of their country, and disposed
their troops only for an advance into Albania.

Thus tragically ended poor King Nikola's life's ambition and his
golden dream. Mirko, whom he would fain have seen on the throne of
Serbia, died in Austria in 1918. The records of Danilo and Petar are
such that they are not likely to succeed their father. Prince Danilo
in vain refused the spiritual headship of the land. No Petrovitch
seems destined to be followed by his son, though their dynasty is
the older, and their hands are not so stained with murder as those
of the rival dynasty.

Nikola is not wholly blameworthy. Powers stronger and more crafty
than he, planned Great Serbia and ruthlessly ruled him out of it. No
reinforcements came to him; no troops to help him hold the Lovtchen.
Russia was once his god--and she forsook him.

The Montenegrin opinion of the Serajevo murders is corroborated by
several facts. The Serb students refuged in London had post cards
printed of the murderer Princip, on which he was described as a
national hero! One said to me: "Yes, it is a pity