“Good gracious!” cried the Princess, “you surely do not intend to call on Professor Seigfried to-night?”
“No; but I want to drive to the office of the Director of Police.”
“Oh, that won’t take us long,” said the Princess, giving the necessary order. The coachman took them to the night entrance of the central police station by the Hohenstaufengasse, and, leaving the Princess in the carriage, Jennie went in alone to speak with the officer in charge.
“I wish to see the Director of Police,” she said.
“He will not be here until to-morrow morning. He is at home. Is it anything important?”
“Yes. Where is his residence?”
“If you will have the kindness to inform me what your business is, madame, we will have pleasure in attending to it without disturbing Herr Director.”
“I must communicate with the Director in person. The Princess von Steinheimer is in her carriage outside, and I do not wish to keep her waiting.” At mention of the Princess the officer bestirred himself and became tremendously polite.
“I shall call the Director at once, and he will be only too happy to wait upon you.”
“Oh, have you a telephone here? and can I speak with him myself without being overheard?”