His Royal Highness must have been satisfied, for besides a fee of 5000
marks, I received a few days later through Wedel a diamond pin and a
magnficent gold watch and chain inscribed with the Grand Ducal arms of
Mecklenburg-Schwerein inscribed:

"For services performed faithfully to my house."


Chapter VI. The Intrigue at Monte Carlo

Back in Berlin from a mission to Vienna, my dispatches delivered, once
more comfortably ensconced in my quarters, on the Mittelstrasse, I was
looking forward to an evening at the Pavilion Mascotte. I was just
getting into my dinner coat when my man bowed an orderly through the
door and at once all my plans took swift flight out the window. The
orderly brought a command for my immediate attendance at the
Wilhelmstrasse. Now the gentlemen of the Wilhelmstrasse are never
kept waiting and do not accept excuses. Within twenty minutes I was
shown into the chambers of Count von Wedel; in thirty minutes I was
out again, having complete orders. They know what they want at the
Wilhelmstrasse and they generally get it.

As I hurried back to my rooms I went over what von Wedel had said:

"You are to be ready to take the midnight express to Monte Carlo. You
will there keep watch on and report any possible meeting between the
Russian, French and English ministers, at present traveling about the
Riviera. You will have the assistance, if necessary, of the Countess
Chechany. If you need her, send her this card" (he had given me the