And so, though it was not in the day's program, quite at an early hour the King and his guest drove down together to the Prefecture.
The Prefect himself had not arrived, but they saw one of the high permanent officials; and stating the purpose of their visit were formally handed over to the Superintendent of detectives. The department was his.
"Mr. Superintendent," said the King, "we come upon you by surprise; are you sufficiently prepared for us?"
The Superintendent declared that his department was ready at all hours.
"I wanted to show the Prince some of your relics," his Majesty went on, "particularly those connected with the recent outrage."
Of course the Superintendent was delighted; he led the way into the museum; and before long the Prince of Schnapps-Wasser became very much interested in all the things that were shown him.
Case after case was opened; and the King, seeing how smoothly matters were shaping, made no hurry toward the attainment of his goal.
Presently, pointing toward a case that stood in a window recess, the official remarked with a smile, "There lies your Majesty's death-warrant—what is left of it."
The case was opened; the King took up the fragments.
"Very interesting," he said. "There are also some photographs showing the actual event, are there not?"