"I am ready," I declared; and he opened the door, only to start back in surprise and to draw himself up stiffly as his Excellency entered.
"What is this?"
"Ah, I am glad your Excellency has arrived in time to see me being arrested as a lunatic," I said, sweetly, as I put my hand in his. "Good-bye."
The General gave me first a grim smile, and then glanced round at the police officials.
Count Gustav, not knowing who had arrived, came in then, and the General turned to him slowly, but with instant appreciation of the position.
It was indeed a very interesting situation; and Count Gustav looked exceedingly uncomfortable.
CHAPTER XXI
HIS EXCELLENCY TO THE RESCUE
I have said somewhere that I did not take General von Erlanger's importance at his own estimate of it; but what occurred that morning might well have induced me to reconsider that opinion. Certainly none of those present in the room shared it. They all, including Count Gustav himself, stood in considerable awe of him.