The empress acceded to Pinchauvas' request, and granted him the royal seal as a sign of his unlimited authority.
"So that I can do what I like?" he asked.
"Whatever your highness wishes! Now, I am going to present you to the high functionaries of the palace."
He received them all with gestures of amiable protection, and the chancellor translated what he said.
"See here," said Pinchauvas, "let them bring me that Chinaman who seized me by the neck two hours ago."
"Seized your highness by your venerable neck?" indignantly asked the secretary.
"Does your highness wish us to burn him alive or simply to hang him?"
"I want you to bring him here safe and sound."
"Really, does your highness wish to strangle him with your own hands? He does not deserve such an extraordinary honour."
They brought the poor guard into the presence of Pinchauvas, and when they told him he was the new chancellor he almost died of terror.