"What had happened to her?" I asked.
"It was only after hours of the greatest anxiety that we ourselves knew. About six o'clock I received a note from the Empress saying that she had gone to the two houses we had named, but that no one was there, and then, not knowing what to do, had in despair thought of Dr. Evans, the dentist, and had driven to his house, where she was in safety for the moment."
"What a dreadful moment for the Empress! How did she dare to send the note to you?"
"It was imprudent," said the Prince; "but she intrusted it to Dr. Crane, who happened to be dining with Dr. Evans. He brought it to me and gave it into my own hands."
"Did you go to see her?"
"Yes, I went to see her; but strict orders had been given not to let any one enter, not even me."
The Prince showed me this letter, which he kept locked up in a desk. Seeing the tears in my eyes, he said, giving me the envelope, "I know you will value this, and I beg you will keep it."
[Illustration: FAC-SIMILE OF LETTER:
À Son Altesse Le Prince de Metternich
L. Napoléon.]