"Untie him!" he said to the men who hurried into the room.
When released from his bonds, Paul rose up and stood like a soldier in the presence of his superior officer.
The room was emptied once again. Then the Emperor went up to Paul and, leaving a table as a barrier between them, asked, still in a harsh voice:
"Prince Conrad?"
Paul answered:
"Prince Conrad is not dead, sir; he is well."
"Ah!" said the Kaiser, evidently relieved. And, still reluctant to come to the point, he continued: "That does not affect matters in so far as you are concerned. Assault . . . espionage . . . not to speak of the murder of one of my best servants. . . ."
"Karl the spy, sir? I killed him in self-defense."
"But you did kill him? Then for that murder and for the rest you shall be shot."
"No, sir. Prince Conrad's life is security for mine."