"I ask you frankly not to let them question me. When I left the city last night I never expected to return."
"I'll do what I can."
Carmichael bared his head and leaned out of the window. He recognized one of the guards. A policeman in military uniform!
"Good morning!" said Carmichael.
"Herr Carmichael?" surprised. "Your excellency?"
"Yes. I've been having a little junket, I and my friend here." And Carmichael winked.
"Ah!"
"But what—"
"Sh! Very important affair," said the disguised officer. "Go on."
But after the carriage had passed it occurred to him that Carmichael wore a dress like a vintner's and that his friend was a mountaineer! Du lieber Himmel! What kind of a mix-up was this? The chancellor never could have meant Carmichael!