‘You misunderstand me,’ I returned smoothly. ‘I do not doubt that we shall be permitted to settle here. The question is, how much independence we shall enjoy from police supervision. In France we were always able to maintain exceedingly friendly relations with the police. We are, of course, a very wealthy Order.’ Finkelstein’s eyes sparkled. I knew that he was in receipt of a secret pension from the exiled claimant to the throne of a State annexed by Prussia in 1866. It was evident that he was perfectly ready to do business. ‘You will find that the Berlin police exercise the greatest tact towards communities of high character like yours,’ he said eagerly. I lay back in my chair and threw off my hood, as I observed-- ‘My dear Finkelstein, I see that you are not changed.’ The Director’s consternation was quite laughable to witness. ‘V----!’ he exclaimed, drawing back as if he had been stung; then he added, in a tone of hesitation: ‘My old friend?’ ‘Yes; your friend--and your ally, if you will accept him as such,’ I said cordially. Finkelstein looked immensely relieved. He was well aware that the Kaiser did not accord him his complete confidence, and he must have feared that I had come to him, as on a former occasion, as the Kaiser’s agent. ‘My dear V----, any friendship and assistance that I can give you are at your service at all times,’ he hastened to assure me. ‘It is understood, then, is it not, that we are to stand by each other? If I undertake to report favourably of you in a certain quarter, you will give me your confidence?’ ‘That is always understood between Secret Service agents who are men of honour,’ the German responded. We shook hands with great warmth. ‘Now,’ I said, ‘I can afford to be perfectly frank.’ Finkelstein glanced at me with the suspicion which such a declaration was certain to provoke. ‘I am here, this time, in the interests of Russia.’ The Director met my eye with a look of polite incredulity. [Illustration: “‘V----!’ he exclaimed, drawing back as if he had been stung.”] ‘Distrust has been awakened in the Russian Council of State by this Venezuelan affair, in which Germany has been much too friendly with England. It is necessary to ascertain exactly what the Kaiser’s views and intentions really are. He is either deceiving the Tsar, or deceiving the English, and I have to find out which. For this purpose I must pass a night in the Emperor’s private cabinet.’ ‘But surely that is not a difficult thing for you to manage,’ observed Finkelstein, with evident distrust. ‘His Majesty trusts you implicitly, does he not?’ ‘He may trust me as a spy on you, and yet not confide to me his political designs,’ I answered. ‘The truth is that the Kaiser is on his guard. He knows that he is being watched, and just now he distrusts everybody--his own police most of all,’ I added pointedly. The Director put his hand to his head, with a gesture of despair.