Finkelstein bit his lip as he unwillingly turned to re-enter his carriage. I followed the lackey into the private cabinet of the monarch who had just found himself the centre of an international cyclone.
“A glance at the cheval glass showed me a stiff, well set-up Prussian official.”
Wilhelm II. received me cordially. It was not the first time we had met. About the time of his ascending the throne I had been the means of inflicting on him a defeat which a smaller man would have found it hard to forgive. Fortunately, the German Kaiser was of metal sterling enough to recognise merit even in an enemy, and to realise that my fidelity to my then employer was the best guarantee that I should be equally faithful to himself, if it fell to my lot to serve him.
‘What has Finkelstein told you?’ was the Emperor’s first question, after he had graciously invited me to sit down.
‘Only that he was able to tell me nothing, sire.’
The Emperor gave me a suspicious glance.
‘He appeared to regret that your Majesty had not given him your confidence,’ I added, choosing my words warily. ‘He assured me that you might rely on his entire devotion, as much so as if he were a native of your hereditary States.’
‘And what do you say as to that?’ demanded the Kaiser, with a piercing look.
‘I think that your Majesty cannot be too careful whom you trust.’