‘My voice may be more familiar to you than my face, sire,’ I responded.
‘I am delighted. Sit down. I have a most extraordinary thing to consult you about. This——’
I ventured to hold up my hand. For the first time in my life I presumed to interrupt royalty.
‘A thousand pardons, sire! I beg of you to let me speak first.’
‘Why, what does this mean, sir,’ Wilhelm II. inquired sternly.
‘It means, sire, that I am compelled to presume on the many faithful services I have rendered to your Majesty to ask you for a favour which alone can extricate me from a position of cruel embarrassment.’
‘Proceed, sir.’
The Kaiser’s tone was still reserved, but I fancied I observed a slight softening in the glance.
‘I already know the business in which you desire my aid.’
