“If our Emperor is really the sharp-sighted and energetic spirit for which I take him—”
The monarch did not care to let the gentlemen talk on longer in ignorance of his presence.
“Hallo! gentlemen!” he called out merrily. “Do not betray your secrets without knowing who is listening!”
“His Majesty!” the Count said under his breath, taking off his hat and bowing low. His companion followed his example, and as the Emperor looked at him with a questioning glance, said—
“At your Majesty’s command; Grubenhagen, of Hamburg.”
The monarch’s eyes travelled over the tall, broad-shouldered figure of the fine man, and he asked smilingly—
“You have been in the service?”
“Yes, your Majesty—as lieutenant in the Royal Hanoverian Garde du Corps.”
“There were then commoners as officers in that regiment.”
“May it please your Majesty, my name is Baron von Grubenhagen, but the ‘Baron’ was in the way of the merchant.”