"Schmidt," said his Majesty, who was standing at the further end of the cabin, "I have sent for you in order that I may question you on a matter of the utmost importance. Draw nearer." The man came forward as he was ordered, and, having done so, looked his master full and fair in the face. Something he saw there seemed to stagger him. He glanced at him a second time, and was immediately confirmed in his belief. "You are not the Emperor," he cried. "There is some treachery in this. I shall call for assistance." He had half turned, and was about to give the alarm, when Carne held up his hand, and Belton, who had been creeping stealthily up behind him, threw himself upon him and had clutched him by the throat before he could utter a sound. The fictitious Emperor immediately produced a cleverly constructed gag and forced it into the terrified man’s mouth, who in another second was lying upon the floor bound hand and foot. "There, my friend," said Carne quietly, as he rose to his feet a few moments later, "I don’t think you will give us any further trouble. Let me just see that those straps are tight enough, and then we’ll place you on this settee, and afterwards get to business with all possible dispatch." Having satisfied himself on these points, he signed to Belton and between them they placed the man upon the couch. "Let me see, I think, if I remember rightly, you carry the key of the safe in this pocket." So saying, he turned the man’s pocket inside out and appropriated the bunch of keys he found therein. Choosing one from it, he gave a final look at the bonds which secured the prostrate figure, and then turned to Belton. "I think he’ll do," he said. "Now for business. Bring the bags, and come with me." So saying, he crossed the cabin, and, having assured himself that there was no one about to pry upon them, passed along the luxuriously carpeted alley way until he arrived at the door of the cabin assigned to the use of the chief steward, and in which was the safe containing the magnificent gold plate, the obtaining of which was the reason of his being there. To his surprise and chagrin, the door was closed and locked. In his plans he had omitted to allow for this emergency. In all probability, however, the key was in the man’s pocket, so, turning to Belton, he bade him return to the stateroom and bring him the keys he had thrown upon the table.