The Emperor turned to the Secretary. “Sir,” he said in a voice trembling with agitation, “you have heard the insult that has been offered to my Imperial person, and if you do not deliver this man over to my police, I shall at twelve o’clock tomorrow night declare war against the United States of America, and until that time”—threateningly—“I shall hold you personally responsible for him.”
Edestone coolly took out his watch and noted that it was exactly twenty-five minutes past eleven o’clock, a proceeding which almost caused the Emperor to lose control of himself again, but he was once more held in check by General von Lichtenstein.
“I know now that this is a trick, Your Majesty,” he declared.
The Acting Ambassador bowed slightly to the Emperor’s last attack. “I shall report to my Government all that has passed,” he replied, “and exactly what Your Majesty has just said, and I shall, as soon as I receive an answer, report to Your Imperial Majesty.” He finished, and stood waiting as if to force the Emperor’s immediate departure.
Then with scant formality, and showing by the unpardonable rudeness of their behaviour the contempt in which they held all Americans, the Emperor and his entire suite left the Embassy without taking the slightest further notice of Edestone.
CHAPTER XXVII. — ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE
The royal party had scarcely gotten out of the house and Edestone and Jones were still standing in the middle of the reception room when the return of General von Lichtenstein was announced.
The old General came in as quietly as if nothing had happened. He greeted the Secretary cordially and smiled benignly at Edestone.