truth, they will remember that Europe is a long way off and that
the things which happen there are really no concern of theirs.'
'You are right,' I assured him, - 'dead right. Treat us openly,
that's all we ask.' 'Shall I not do that, my young friend?' he
answered. 'Now look, I give you this.' He fumbled through all his
pockets and at last he drew out a long envelope, sealed at both ends
with black sealing wax on which was printed a coat of arms with two
tigers facing each other. He looked toward the door cautiously, and
there was just that gleam in his eyes which madmen always have.
'Here it is,' he whispered, 'written with my own hand. This will
tell you exactly what passed this afternoon. It will tell you our
plans. It will tell you of the share which my master and the other
two are taking. Button it up safely,' he said, 'and, whatever you
do, do not let them know outside that you have got it. Between
you and me,' he went on, leaning across the table, 'something seems
to have happened to them all to-day. There's my old doctor there.
He is worrying all the time, but he himself is not well. I can see
it whenever he comes near me.' I nodded as though I understood and
the Chancellor tapped his forehead and grinned. Then I got up as
casually as I could, for I was terribly afraid that he wouldn't let
me go. We shook hands, and I tell you his fingers were like pieces
of burning coal. Just as I was moving, some one knocked at the
door. Then he began to storm again, kicked his chair over, threw a
paperweight at the window, and talked such nonsense that I couldn't
follow him. I unlocked the door myself and found the doctor there.
I contrived to look as frightened as possible. 'His Highness is not
well enough to talk to me,' I whispered. 'You had better look after
him.' I heard a shout behind and a heavy fall. Then I closed the
door and slipped away as quietly as I could - and here I am."