Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 149, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1915 — Secrets of the Courts of Europe [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Secrets of the Courts of Europe

An Old Ambmadof’s Revelations of die Inner History of .Famous Episodes Heretofore Cloaked in Mystery

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by ALLEN UPWARD

THE TOMB IN THE VATICAN

“It is a statement which you will constantly see repeated in the European press," said the ambassador with marked intonation, "that Monaco is the smallest state in Europe. It is nothing of the kind. The smallest state in Europe at present is the Vatican.” “The Vatican! But that is an abode —a building!" "You are an Englishman, and of course ignorant of matters which are of vital interest to two-thirds of Europe. Nevertheless you must surely be aware that the holy father, under the Italian law of papal guaranties, retains his rank as a sovereign, and that the inviolability of the Vatican is expressly recognized. No official of the Italian government can enter itß doors for any conceivable purpose without the Pope’s permission. It is not considered part of the Italian territory; in other words it is an independent state, within whose limits Plus X is as absolute as the czar of Russia. “The Catholic powers of Europe, it is well known, are represented at the papal court by ambassadors, who are entirely distinct from those accredited to the Quirinal. France, although governed by freethinkers, has continued to observe this custom, which is due to her position as protector of the Christians in the east; and I assure you that during my mission to the Vatican I was most devout. "It was my good fortune to be honored with the particular confidence of pto Nono, for it is by that name that Pius X was universally known in his lifetime. He was a remarkable pope. Believe me, no one but a very great man could have maintained the prestige of the papacy unshaken as he did through the misfortunes which afflicted it during his long reign. “The only thing which embarrassed me in Rome was the necessity which I was under, in my character of ambassador to the Holy See, of strictly avoiding all intercourse with the court of King Victor Emmanuel. The severe estrangement which prevailed between the papacy dbd the kingdom of Italy was later illustrated by the adventure of the poor King of Portugal, who found himself obliged to quit Rome without visiting either the pope or the king, as he could not show respect to one without giving umbrage to the other. “In spite of these restraints I formed the acquaintance in private of several persons # who were in touch with the Quirinal. Among these was a certain Count Gulielmo Vescaro. "Vescaro was a man who appeared to be of good family, and he was sufficiently polite and well-informed to be an agreeable companion. He was also moderately well off for an Italian, where the people are poorer than anywhere else in the world, except in Athens. In spite of these advantages, I perceived before very long that he was unpopular, but I found no reason for dropping his acquaintance. "One taste Vescaro and I possessed in common, this was a passion for gems of all kinds, but especially cameos and intaglios. The members of the Italian nobility are distinguished for their interest in curiosities of this sort The heirs of 2,000 years of civilization, they find the same fascination in a rare medal or antique that our young men find in a new dancer at the theaters, or that you English do in a bulldog or a prize flfht/ "It was inevitable that I should take advantage of my mission to study the famous collections of the Vatican. There is no other museum in Europe to he compared with this of the popes, In which they have been accumulating treasures for centuries, and which is continually being added to at the present day. I spent many hours every week In exploring its recesses, and in conversing with Monsignor Perratti, a very learned Jesuit, who had the euperlntendency of the department of antiquities. “On several occasions I happened to meet my friend the count as I was on my way to the museum, and pressed hiih to accompany me. But he invariably declined. ' *“I have reasons, which I do not care to speak about, for not wishing to be seen in the Vatican,’ he said to me on one of these occasions, when I had permitted myself to be rather importunate. ‘During the period before the holy father was deprived of the temporal power, I served in the papal troops, and his holiness has perhaps resented my subsequent adhesion to the house or Savoy. At all events I am not willing to expose myself to the risk of being told that my presence in the Vatican is considered an intrusion.’' “I could not hut respect Vescaro for his delicacy, though it seemed to me misplaced, as the museum of the Vatican was quite a public place, to which the whole world was in the h»Mt of coming. In my next conversation with Monsignor Perratti I referred tq the subject. "‘Ah!’ He gaye a perceptible start, and regarded' me curiously for * moment. Do you know anything

about this gentleman?’ was all he Bald.. V “‘Nothing except what he has told me, that Is to say, that he formerly held a commission under the holy father.’ True, I remember the name. But the count is entirely mistaken. He is perfectly at liberty to come here whenever he pleases.’ , “I thanked the good father for Ms permission, which I did not fgil to communicate to Vescaro the next time I was in his house. : .'“He appeared somewhat surprised at it. • “Thank you for your kind intentions,’ he said stiffly, ‘but all the same I do not propose to avail myself of Monsignor Perratti’s permission. At least I will think it over.’ “There was nothing more to be done, and I did not refer to the subject again. Monsignor Perratti was good enough to ask me, when he found me in the museum jt few days after, why my friend had not come with me, but I put him off with an excuse. “Some weeks had passed, and I had forgotten all about the incident,-when, as I entered the museum one afternoon, I was met by the worthy Jesuit in a state of great excitement. “‘Ah, Excellency!’ he exclaimed, as soon as he caught sight of me, ‘I have something to tell you which will give you the greatest delight. A new treasure has just arrived; it is a collection of ancient seals, some of them most exquisitely engraved, which Cardinal Salvatjerra has presented to the pope. You must positively come and see them at once.’ “Charmed by his intelligence, I hastened to place myself at his disposal. He led me a long way into a part of the building where I had never before penetrated. After going through innumerable rooms, all filled with valuable curiosities of different kinds, we arrived at last in a long deserted gallery with bare walls, to which light was admitted by “means of & skylight overhead. The obscurity of the gallery was further relieved by the entire end wall being made a mirror, which reflected back the light from the roof. All down this gallery were ranged tables, supporting the cases with glass lids usually seen in museums, and in these cases were displayed sets of coins and other interesting objects. “But my conductor would not let me pause to examine them. At the far Mid of the gallery —whose* apparent length was increased by the mirror I have described —I perceived a man standing in front of one of the cases, the contents of which he appeared to he setting in order. / “‘lt is the cardinal himself!’ exclaimed Monsignor Perratti. ‘We are fortunate. He is just arranging the seals.’ “His Eminence, with whom I was already acquainted, turned around to greet me as I came up, and kindly offered to Bhow me his famous collection. But how can I describe these things to you? They were indeed priceless. Otfe in particular, an onyx engraved with the head of Vespasian, was one of those objects for the sake of which one commits murders! “I-thought I should never have torn myself away from the gallery. But the cardinal, who waß all goodnesti, promised to meet jne there again, and to renew his lecture on these fascinating gems. At the same time Monsignor Perratti remarked: “‘You ought really to firing that poor count of yours to inspect these seals. Without doubt they would Interest him as much as they do you.’ " ‘The Count; who is that?* inquired Salvatierra, turning to me. I explained the allusion. His Eminence at once became interested. “‘I remember Count Veßcaro very well indeed,’ he said in a tone of marked cordiality. ’He is, indeed a man to whom these gems ought to be shown. There is no more accomplished judge of such things in Rome. I should like you to assure him that such is my opinion, and that I shall feel It a particular favor if he will honor my little collection with a visit.’ “‘I will give him your kind message, Cardinal,’ I replied. ‘Without doubt it will remove his last scruples.’ “ ‘Very good; I shall expect to see him here within the next few days.’ “I bowed and took my leave, feeling, perhaps, a little chagrin at the importance which appeared to be attached to Vescaro’s opinion. "However, I found myself at hip house that night, and just before I came away I finally repeated the flattering messages with which I had been charged by Cardinal Salvatierrac Vescaro listened with a certain preoccupation. “ ‘Salvatierra?’ he murmured, thoughtfully. ‘That is not a name which I remember.’ “ ‘The cardinal did not say that you were known to him personally, hut merely that he had heard of your reputation,’ I explained. “ ’Yes, but that was not what I was thinning of. You have not told me what the seals were like.' 1 “1 saw that he was hesitating, and at once commenced an eloquent de-

script ion of the cardinal’s treasures. When 1 came to the onyx of Vespasian, I could see he was moved. All men have their fatal weakness; Vescaro’s was the mania of a connoisseur of By this time I had learned something of his base character from his injured wife. He was unworthy of that noble woman, whom he would have sold for the worst of Salvatierra’s seals.” The ambassador spoke with real Indignation. It was in a calmer tone that he continued: "Vescaro ended by deciding to go and see the gems. But he made It a stipulation that I should go with him, and be attached a strange importance to this condition which 1 could not understand. “A day or two aftei* he . called at the embassy, as had been arranged, for me to take him to the museum. . "On the threshold of the Vatican he literally carried out his stipulation of taking my arm, and 1 could even feel his own trembling as we passed before the Swiss guard who qrere on duty at the entrance. More than ever astonished at these fears, I drew him on through the building towards the distant quarter in which the gallery was situated. “‘Where are you-taking me? he demanded in a tone of uneasiness, after wo had crossed at least a dozen saloon and corridors. “ ‘To the gallery in which the seals have been placed, of course,’ I returned, irritated at so much caution. ‘Did you not wish to see them ?’ “The count made no answer, except to mutter a curse on the gallery for being in such an inaccessible spot. “However, we reached it at length, and were fortunate enough to find Salvatierra there, with a Dominican friar, who held a delicate camel’s-hair

brush in his hand, and appeared to be assisting the cardinal in dusting his gems. "I at once presented Vescaro to his Eminence, who received him with wellbred ease. Vescaro was obliged to quit his hold of my arm to return the cardinal’s bow, but he seemed to do so with decided reluctance; and I observed him subjecting the Dominican to a scrutiny of which the good father appeared to be perfectly unconscious. “But no sooner had Salvaillerra led the way to his case tfi&n Vescaro’s uneasiness disappeared in an overmastering transport of admiration. He bent over the table, he lifted each qf the seals separately and examined it with the minutest care. I, who had seen them before, took advantage of his absorption to glance at some of the other objects in the gallery. There was a large Egyptian statue placed against the wall opposite, which I had not observed op my last visit, and I also noticed a curious little Buddhist idol fixed on a bracket further down towards the end of the gallery. "While I was Idly gazing at these things, I heard an exclamation from Vescaro. “ ‘But your Eminence, this is a forgery!’ “I looked and saw him holding up to the light the famous Vespasian onyx. Salvatierra almost snatched it from him. “ ‘Never! What you say is impossible!’he exclaimed. ‘Come this way; there is more light/ \ “And be moved down the gallery towards the mirror, followed by the excited Vescaro and the Dominican. "At this moment I felt a soft touch on my arm. I turned round- with a start, and perceived Monsignor Perratti, who had come up so noiselessly i had not heard his footsteps. “ ‘My dear Ambassador, I have made a discovery which I have been waiting to show you for days,’ he murmured in a low voice. ‘Come this way. It is a great secret. It is an illuminated French manuscript of the eleventh century, and I believe the only one in existence.’ "While he was making these observations he bad drawnjne to. a cabinet standing in an alcove off the gallery. This cabinet he unlocked with fever-

lsh haste, and produced the manuscript. It appeared to be as great a treasure as he supposed, but I am no judge of such things, and I was obliged to confess my ignorance. "He pretended not to believe me at first, and expressed great disappointment when he found I was really unable to decipher it for him. At last he reluctantly put the manuscript away again, and I turned round to look for my companion. "To my surprise, he was not to be seen. The Dominican was there in front of the case of seals, using his little brush, and the cardinal was advancing towards me with a vexed look upon his face. “‘I cannot think how your friend believe my onyx to be a forgery,’ he said. T suppose it will be perfectly safe in his hands?' " ’What does your Eminence mean?’ I exclaimed. 'Where is Vescaro?’ “Salvatierra gave a stare of surprise. ‘“Did you not see him go away? Tell me, was it by any chance imprudent to entrust him with my Vespasian seal?* “ ‘Your Eminence has entrusted him with the onyx! That man!' ‘1 could say no more. The cardinal’s face reproached me too strongly for not having warned him against the count.. I parted from them hurriedly, left the museum, and went straight to Vescaro’s address. "I cannot say that I was surprised to find that he had not returned. I waited for him till the hour grew so late that I feared to compromise the countess, and then came away, unable to disguise from myself the suspicions which were in my mind. “The next day nothing was heard of Vescaro. The affair began to get wind, and I was dismayed to find how easily every one assumed that he had been

guilty of embezzling the cardinal’s priceless gem. “The next day I learnt that the matter was in the hands of the police, who no longer believed that Vescaro had disappeared of his own accord, but entertained the idea that' he had been secretly murdered. A strict investigation was made. Cardinal Calvatlerra and the Dominican volunteered their evidence as to the circumstances under which the missing man had left the Vatican, and I added ray testimony to theirß. “For some days the police pursued their inquiries with great zeal, but without throwing any fresh light upon Vescaro’s fate. Then an extraordinary change took place in their attitude. They dropped the investigation as suddenly as they had taken it up, and seemed content to let the whole affair sink into oblivion. “All this time you must not suppose that I suffered any real uneasiness. I was assured of my own integrity towards the missing count, and besides, as an ambassador, my person was of course inviolate. “When, therefore, I learnt of the strange behavior of the Italian authorities, I saw that it was necessary for me to take thia matter into my own hands. This was by no means the first investigatioli of the kind which I had undertaken, as you know. Aided by my past experience, I resolved to set about it in a calm, methodical manner. "The first step in my investigation was dear before me. It was necessary that I should dismiss for the moment all theories turning on the loss of the, seal of Vespasian. All the other circumstances in the case pointed to the fact that Vescaro had some secret enemy in the Vatican, and that this enemy had seized the opportunity of the count's presence to inflict the vengeance which he had evidently dreaded beforehand. "More th»n ever resolved to Sift this frightful affair to the bottom, I set out that very afternoon for the scene of the count's disappearance. I entered the museum, traversed the apartments I have already described, without being perceived by any one, and quickly found myself in the fatal gallery. “I went straight to the case containing the Salvatierra collection. My first

glance at ft* content* made me tarn pale. There, reposing in a place of honor in the center of the other gems, was the onyx engraved with the profile of Vespasian! “It wu now for the first time that a light began to break upon my mind. To you, who hear only the circumstances which I have been obliged to mention in making my story clear, it has, no doubt, been easy to guess the solution all along: I can only say that till I saw the seal there in its place, as if nothing had happened, not the faintest suspicion of the truth had entered my mind. “The person who bad restored that Seal to its place must, of course, be in possession of the secret of Vescaro’s fate. And that person could be equally only one man —Cardinal Salvatierra. “At last I began to perceive the manner in which I had been duped. The last I had seen of Vescaro was when he was walking towards the end of the gallery with the seal in his hand, followed by Salvatierra and the Dominican. 1 had only the cardinal’s assurance —his suggestion rather —that the count had ever returned! “Stunned -by this blow, I turned a glance towards the end wall, which"i have already described as being covered with a mirror, which gave a deceptive appearance to the length of the gqllery. I started, and gave vent to a stifled cry. This wall was close to, almost touching the case which contained the seals. “I rubbed my eyes and stared. How, if this were so, could 1 have seen Vescaro and the two others walk off in that direction? I gazed round distractedly searching for something to enlighten meA observed the Egyptian statue still in its place, though it, also, now appeared to be standing close up against the end wall. I looked further for the Buddhist idol on its bracket. It was nowhere to be seen! I became positive—yes, the bracket supporting the idol was farther along the wall which I now beheld was a false one, which could be withdrawn at will, leaving space beyond! The trap once closed, no doubt there had been men waiting to rush out and secure the prisoner, while Salvatierra and the Dominican — perhaps a familiar of the holy office — had made their way back by some secret passage. “I made a brief examination of the walls of the gallery, and found what I expected. Immediately behind the Egyptian statue was a panel, which sounded hollow to my knock. It was no doubt opened by a secret spring, and the Btatue had been placed there to conceal the opening. “There was no more for me to do in the gallery, and I came away. But I had not yet ascertained Vescaro’s ultimate fate. “The evidence was supplied to me almost by accident. On quitting the museum I turned into the grounds of the Vatican, where I had special privileges as an ambassador to the court, and which I had never properly explored. The vast extent of these grounds 1b well known, and I wandered on idly till I came to what appeared to be a disused cemetery, hidden in a remote corner. Guided, perhaps, by an intuition, I passed into this little burial ground, in which I had not walked far before I perceived in front of me what had the aspect of a newly-made grave. I stepped hastily forward, and on a small stone which had been placed at the head I read the inscription in Latin: 'Pray for the Soul of G. V.' “There could be no longer any doubt. I beheld the tomb of Gulielmo Vescaro! “I went straight to the palace of Cardinal Salvatierra, and requested his Eminence to hear my confession. “At first he seemed to think that I had taken leave of my senses. “ 'But, Signor Ambassador, the members of the Sacred college do nob receive confessions,’ he said with haughtiness. ‘lt is some pious Jesuit to whom you require to go.’ “‘On this occasion it is not so,’ I responded firmly. ‘The sin which I have to confess is a very heinous one. I have been guilty of suspecting a prince of the church of a terrible crime.’ “I saw the cardinal change color. He hesitated for a moment, and then said: “‘The sin which you have committed is indeed heinous. In this case I agree to hear your confession.’ “Without waiting for more I commenced, and related the whole affair exactly as I have done to you. The cardinal listened to me in perfect silence. At the close he assigned me a nominal penance, pronounced the usual absolution, and dismissed me. “I came away, with the feeling that I had gained nothing by my bold step. My intention, of course, had been to give him the opportunity of making an explanation. However, I reproached myself without reason. “The next morning an officer of the Noble Guard arrived at the embassy, bearing the pope's command for me to wait upon his holiness forthwith. I was plunged into confusion by this message, which I did not know whether to regard as favorable or the reverse. I could only obey; and as soon as I had exchanged my ordinary dress for my court uniform. I got into the state carriage of the embassy, and drove to the Vatican. “There I was received, to my astonishment, by Cardinal Salvatierra himself, who greeted me with distinguished cordiality, and conducted me straight into the presence of the pope. “Only those who have had the privilege of being received by the great

pontiff, can realize the awe which It *u In his power to Inspire on each occasions. No other monarch whom I have ever met was capable of extremes of dignity and urbanity. When it pleased him he could be the most fascinating of companions, at other moments bis frown struck like death. * “1 advanced trembling, and knelt respectfully before his holiness, who was surrounded by a gorgeous suite. As soon as he had received my formal homage, and had inquired after the health of the French president, the pope dismissed everybody except SsSvatierra. He then commanded me to rise, and addressed me: “ ‘I have sent for your Excellency/ he said, ‘not in your capacity as Ambassador of France, but in that of a son of the Church. I have been informed that you were an acquaintance of a certain man called Count Gullelmo Vescaro, and I have believed it possible that you may be uneasy in your mind with regard to his fate. Am I right In this?’ “I bowed, and darted a look at Salvatierra. But his Eminence remained without any sign of consciousness. The Holy Father proceeded: ‘“I have, therefore, determined to give you certain information which, as a loyal Catholic, you will know how to respect. To begin with, have you been told that the man Vescaro was formerly an officer 4n niy service?* “I bowed once more. “ ‘Do you know how-- he came to quit my service, and to be in receipt of a pension from the king of Sardinia, who styles himself king of Italy ?* “‘I do not, your Holiness.’ M ‘lt is that which I desire to tell you. You are familiar with the circumstances under which the king obtained possession of the city of Rome, which has belonged to the Holy See for 1,600 years. The moment the garrison of your brave countrymen was withdrawn in consequence of the misfortunes of the year 1870 the brigands employed by Victor Emmanuel marched against my territories. In the exercise of my rights as a sovereign, I resolved to resist them, and I ordered my troops to defend the gates of Rome. Vescaro was that one of my officers in whom I placed the greatest confidence, and I assigned to him the most important post, the Porta del Popolo. Under him was a lieutenant, by name Andrea Chigi, a cadet of one of the most illustrious Roman families. “ ‘These two officers, with their men, were on duty when the advance guard of the enemy appeared in front of the gate. Chigi demanded the word to fire. Vescaro refused to give it, and at once proposed to hoist the white flag in token of surrender. Enraged at this cowardice, Chigi turned to the men to invite them to fire, when Vescaro, drawing his sword, ran the brave young man through the heart. The next moment the white flag was hoisted, the Sardinian troops entered Rome without a shot having been fired, and the dominions of the Holy See were reduced to this palace. ‘“Directly afterwards it was discovered that Vescaro’s conduct was premeditated. He had accepted a bribe frbm the Sardinian government to betray my capital into their hands '‘There was solemn silence for a few moments. Then the pope spoke again: “‘We bavte lost Rome, but within these walls the pope is still a sovereign. Immediately after the events I have referred to, I constituted a tribunal to judge Vescaro, and he was summoned to take his trial. He refused to come, and from the nature of his offense I could not require the usurping government to hand him over to me. The process was therefore adjourned, till such time as Vescaro should place himself within the jurisdiction of the court. * ‘This occurred the other day. He entered my territory of his own accord, and was duly arrested, certaid precautions being taken to avoid provoking scandal, and to give the Sac dinian government no excuse to interfere. Vescaro was at once brought to trial, an advocate was assigned to him, such of the witnesses as are still living were produced, and he was pronounced guilty of treason, murder, and desertion on the field. The crime was a secular one, and the sentence was executed, after Vescaro had made a full confession and admitted the justice of his doom. “ ‘ls there anything in these proceedings which you can complain of as irregular?’ “ ‘Nothing, your Holiness.’ "His manner all at once changed. He addressed Cardinal Salvatierra: " ‘Cardinal, we have had enough of punishments; now let us speak of rewards. What does a man deserve who, when he finds himself in possession of the most dreadful proofs against a prince of the Church, instead of bruiting his suspicions abroad, goes to the *nan he Is obliged to suspect, and candidly confesses everything?* “ ‘Your Holiness, he deserves to be honored by the Church.' " ‘That is my opinion,’ said the good pope with a kind smile. ‘Give our son what we have designed for him.’ “1 looked round, bewildered. The cardinal advanced towards me and. In hid Holiness’s name, invested me with the Order of the Cross Kaye” (Copyright, in XJ. S. and Great Britain.) i —-* ■ -

"But, Your Eminence, This is a Forgery!"