A new book traces the history of the Burmese intelligence network... "Mandalay under King Thibaw—British spies and informants are hard at work collecting information on Burmese troop movements, the Irrawaddy River defenses and news of happenings inside the palace. The British, whose diplomatic mission had been closed down several years before the third Anglo-Burmese war, were desperate to know what was going on in Burma. The reason: British concern about a possible secret deal between Burma and Britain?s archrivals, the French, whose influence was growing within the palace. But the empire had no reason to worry very much. London?s undercover man in the palace, Chevalier Andreino, was doing a good job, delivering valuable information gleaned from his network of informants. The well-paid Italian spy, who had lived in Mandalay for almost 30 years, was one of probably many spies working for the British. It?s believed that, using his network inside the Palace, Andreino successfully stole the friendship treaty between Burma and France and a letter from the French Prime Minster to the Burmese king..."