The plan which presented itself to my mind was an audacious one, but in such situations audacity is safer than faint-heartedness. I despatched Fouqué to the headquarters of the Berlin police with a denunciation against Prince Napoleon’s secretary for the crime of _lèse-majesté_. _Lèse-majesté_ is the one offence which is never treated lightly in German official quarters. Fouqué’s information was eagerly taken down, and a police officer promptly arrived at the hotel armed with a warrant for the arrest of the traveller. M. Rémillard, the secretary, protested in vain that he was a stranger, who had only that hour arrived in Berlin, and was leaving Germany the next day; and that he had never been guilty of the least disrespect towards Wilhelm II. ‘You declared that the Emperor was a babbler,’ he was informed. ‘Ah, but I meant the Emperor of Russia,’ retorted the Frenchman smartly. ‘What, is he a babbler, too?’ exclaimed the policeman--an answer which, I believe, has since become celebrated. But his ingenuity could not save the unlucky secretary from arrest, and the Comte de Saint Pol found himself obliged to proceed on his journey alone. It remained for me to complete the execution of my design, by substituting myself in the place of M. Rémillard. This project, which would have been beyond the powers of an ordinary police agent, was rendered possible in my case by my extensive knowledge of underground politics, and the reputation which I have striven to deserve of a man whose faith can be depended on. I dismissed Fouqué, whose further presence would have embarrassed me, and took my seat in the _coupé_ reserved for the Comte de Saint Pol in the Petersburg express. In answer to the remonstrance with which my intrusion was received, I explained that I was acting under orders. ‘Your travelling companion has been arrested, Monsieur le Comte, but perhaps I may be allowed to supply his place.’ ‘Am I under arrest, too?’ Prince Victor demanded with some indignation. ‘Not at all,’ I answered, ‘but your movements are of some interest to the German Government, or rather the Emperor, who has honoured me with his personal instructions.’ ‘What have my affairs to do with his Imperial Majesty?’ inquired the Prince anxiously. ‘Perhaps nothing, perhaps a great deal. You will, at least allow, _Monsieur le Comte_, that your passage through Germany appears to be attended with some mystery.’ ‘In short----?’ ‘In short, the Emperor will be glad to be honoured by your confidence, _Monseigneur_.’ The Prince started at this title, and began narrowly scrutinising my face, while he evidently considered in his own mind what account to give of himself. ‘It may assist you, perhaps,’ I went on to say, ‘if I tell you that I already know nearly all that you can tell me. I am M. V----.’ At this name a change passed over Prince Napoleon’s face. A silent struggle seemed to be taking place in his breast. Presently he raised his eyes to mine.