What Was Behind the Tsar's Peace Rescript

First published as Part 4 of Underground History in Pearson's (UK&US), Apr 1903. Story 4 of 12 contained in the collection Secret History of To-Day
In 1899, Tsar Nicholas II issued a rescript calling upon all nations to disband their armies and mothball their fleets. It caused an uproar in Europe and chief among the questions that arose was who was really behind the move. V is curious himself and goes off in search of a client to pay him to learn the truth. He finds on in the Ottoman Empire.