It had been arranged that the King should be at once surrounded and taken away by force. But when the Monarch came out all shrank back; nobody dared to seize him.
Dr Gudden was the first to regain self-possession. He stepped forward, and said:
“Your Majesty! this is the saddest task I have ever undertaken in my life. Four alienists have given a declaration as to the state of your Majesty’s health. In consequence of this Prince Luitpold has assumed the Regency. I have received orders to accompany your Majesty to Schloss Berg this very night.”
The King hesitated a moment. “What do you want with me?” he repeated several times. “What does this mean?”
The keepers approached to seize him. He warned them off with a proud gesture, and drew himself up.
“It is not necessary,” he said; “I will go of my free will.”
[1] When, after the King’s death, Weber proved to be in possession of his diamond clasp, it was thought at first that he had come by it dishonestly. The writing, however, by which he had engaged himself not to give it up except on payment of 25,000 marks convinced the authorities that they had been mistaken. As the diamonds constituted a part of the Crown jewels, Weber had, nevertheless, to return them. As far as is known he received a small sum of money in return for them, as it was desired that the King’s last gift should be respected. [↑]