THE MAN OF MYSTERY

Shannon News, 11 June 1926, Page 4

THE MAN OF MYSTERY

AN IMAGINARY INTERVIEW

The "London Mail" has been publishing a series of imaginary interviews with the Truly Great. In the following: "spoof 'interview figures the mysterious Sir Basil Zaharoff, who, though frequently in the limelight, is seldom seen. I started off with great trepidation to call upon Sir Basil Zaharoff. His reputation was known to me as the most mysterious personality of modern times.

The hall-porter at the ltitz-Carlton \ Hotel looked blank when I pronounc- I ed the dreaded name. He said he had never heard of him.

Then I gave him the secret sign of the Sardinian' Brotherhood and he shivered.

"Take thjs gentleman up to Him Whose Name is Never Uttered," he said to a waiting page-boy. I entered the lift and was carried to the fourth floor. Then before I knew what was happening, the servants pinioned my arms behind , by back .and tied a bandage over my eyes. Shortly afterwards the bandage was removed and , I was confronted by an old gentleman, in whose thin features, white hair and trim imperial, I recognisod the great Sir Basil Zaharoff, the .Mystery' Man of Europe. "You wish to see me," he said. "I, wish to probe the secret of your power," I replied. "I do not tell my secrets,," he said. "Nor are they to b e guessed. I act, The world obeys! That is sufficient."

"But how doiyou act? Is it your influence over men, over money, over industry, over armaments, that makes the governments of Europe obey you? "Partly those things," he smiled. "But, above all, my secret powers!:" "Yet you must have gained your position somehow. Did you not once sell newspapers in the streets of Constantinople?'' He flushed with anger. "That is the scandalous story of'my detactors" ho cried with obvious sincerity. "I am not a gutter-urchin. My ancestors, good Christian inhabitants of Constantinople, served the Turks in high offices. They ruled Balkan provinces for them. lam the ltst of j line of governors.?' , "But you were not always rich?"

"That is true. I was a poor clerk in a shipping firm, and I speculated in shipping. I succeeded, and I staked my gains on other gambles of the same nature. They too, succeededl became rich. I used my n for- < tune and may opportunities as they came. I became a millionaire. War and peace, prosperity and revolution, all alike, have served my purpose." "Yet there is a mystery?" I whispered. "Yes," ho agreed, almost sadly,' "There is a mystery.' ' "What is it?" I asked. A cloud passed over his face. Then he smiled. He bent' over until his mouth was pressed against my ear, "If I tell you," he murmered, "promise you will not inform Mr. Baldwin, or President Hindenburg, or President Coolidge, or the French Prime Minister —whoever he is; I have not yet ; seen this morning's papers—or the'Aga Khan, or Trotsky!" N I promised. "I am about to tell you." the old man whispered, "a secret which nobody in the world knows except myself, it is this:,There is no mystery!" "No mystery!" I cried.

He laughed. "None whatever, except what I make myself. It suites my purpose to be an individual so mysterious that the whole world wonders. This intrigues the mob and gives the newspapers something to write about. I have become a legend in which even kings believe. Imagine what an asset this is to a business man like myself!" "Is that all?" I murmcred. "Is your mystery just bluff?" He smiled. "Just bluff!" he repeated .'

I expressed my gratitute to him. He "waved it aside with his thin, tapering hand. " I fear I shall have to make you leave this room in the manner in which you entered it," he said. "I must keeep up the bluff before my servants, especially before them. You will pardon it?" He called out in his native Greek, The attendants entered. Ten minutes later I was untrussed and found myself- alone in the centre of Hyde Park, I recalled my interview with the Mystery, man of Europe, and wondered if I had.been awake of dreaming Posibly the latter.