"You fool!" the latter said to Estermen. "Can't you see that he is waiting only to draw the others in? Do you know that I—I, Von Falkenberg, Chancellor of Germany, have received what they are pleased to call a hint from the French Minister of Police that it would be advisable for me to leave Paris? This is your blundering, Estermen!"
"Not mine only," the man muttered. "Do you know that there are those who wait for you in your rooms?"
Falkenberg turned away.
"Stay here till I return," he ordered.
He turned the key of his own apartments and entered. His servant hurried up to him.
"There waits for Your Highness," he announced, "the Baron von
Neudheim."
Falkenberg started.
"Here?" he exclaimed.
"In His Excellency's private apartment. There waits also—"
Falkenberg had already departed. He opened the door of his room. His secretary rose hastily to his feet.