"Then I must escort Your Imperial Highness."
"Strict orders from my superior officer, Your Imperial Highness," and the gendarmes formed a cordon around my carriage.
I was furious. "Send for your commander."
The captain of the gendarmes could not be found at once and joined my cavalcade only when we were opposite a living wall of excited people, nearly all of them workmen.
"What is Your Imperial Highness's pleasure?" asked the captain, bending down from his horse.
"Send your men away instantly."
"But the responsibility?"
"Rests with me and with me only. Send them away. Every one of them."
The mob was watching us. I read suspicion in the eyes of those nearest. The captain gave the sign and the troopers turned their horses' heads, saluting me with their drawn swords.