“Yes,” he said; “but it was a State secret, and if you had only remembered from whom you had it, an inquiry might well be instituted. It is quite possible that something of the kind had already been said elsewhere; and if what you wrote had appeared in another paper, perhaps no one would have taken any notice of it. But you have given the _Grenzboten_ such a nimbus that it is placed on a level with the Official Gazette. That is not good for you as a writer. You are regarded as, in the highest degree, inspired.” I: “That is a matter of indifference to me. It only excites hatred and envy; and I have never associated with the local journalists.” “Well,” he said, smiling, “you can destroy this nimbus if you will only write something thoroughly silly.” I: “And if you then have a vigorous _démenti_ inflicted upon me.” He: “But, seriously, you can to a certain extent correct the statement which you blurted out inadvertently, by saying that in doing so you believed you were only repeating what was already known; and you might go on to add a number of useful observations, as, for instance, that, if the alliance did not actually exist, it ought to be brought about, as it would be of great advantage and would fulfil the requirements of two peace-loving Powers--and, further, that we should very much regret the truth of the assertion made by the _Kölnische Zeitung_ that it had only been concluded for five years; in that case it should be extended over a longer period. Finally, it would be in accordance with the interests of both Empires to strengthen and consolidate the good political relations existing between them by closer commercial relations on a treaty basis.” He then returned to the question of the Russian armaments, and said, _inter alia_: “Now I am to assist! But they can settle the matter themselves. Three years ago I made proposals to them which they would not accept. Now let _them_ settle it!”