Here is what has happened, and what is happening.
I shall mention no names, but at present a high and mighty personage in Russia, who is friendly to Great Britain, has written a private letter, making some proposals to a certain high and mighty personage in England, who is friendly to Russia.

This communication is entirely unofficial; neither Government is supposed to know anything at all about it.

As a matter of fact, the Russian Government have a suspicion, and the British Government have a certainty, that such a document will shortly be in transit.

Nothing may come of it, or great things may come of it.

Now on the night of the 21st, in one of the sleeping cars leaving St.
Petersburg by the Nord Express for Berlin, there will travel a special messenger having this letter in his possession.