"Not a pleasant task," chuckled Delcassé. "He has my pity. What happened to the Prince?"
"The Prince was released next morning."
"You have friends, then, in New York?" asked Lépine, curiously.
"I have friends everywhere," answered Crochard quietly.
"When I think of the Kaiser trembling!" cried Delcassé. "Ah, what anguish must be his! I have tasted it, and I know!"
Crochard took from his coat a long pocket-book.
"This belonged to Admiral Pachmann," he said. "I paused long enough to secure it, because it contained a document which I was most anxious to possess. It will interest you, sir," and he drew out a black-sealed envelope and passed it to Delcassé.
The latter opened it, took out the stiff sheet of paper he found within, read it, re-read it, and then stared at Crochard stupefied.
"That is what one might call an imperial power of attorney," said Crochard, with a little laugh. "It is sufficiently comprehensive, is it not?"
"It is unbelievable!" cried Delcassé, and handed the paper to Lépine. "And this was really given by the Emperor to Pachmann?"