“Seized?” echoed Otto. “In what sense? Explain yourself.”
“Sir John Crabtree,” interposed Gotthold, looking up, “was arrested yesterday evening.”
“Is this so, Herr Cancellarius?” demanded Otto sternly.
“It was judged right, your Highness,” protested Greisengesang. “The decree was in due form, invested with your Highness’s authority by procuration. I am but an agent; I had no status to prevent the measure.”
“This man, my guest, has been arrested,” said the Prince. “On what grounds, sir? With what colour of pretence?”
The Chancellor stammered.
“Your Highness will perhaps find the reason in these documents,” said Gotthold, pointing with the tail of his pen.
Otto thanked his cousin with a look. “Give them to me,” he said, addressing the Chancellor.
But that gentleman visibly hesitated to obey. “Baron von Gondremark,” he said, “has made the affair his own. I am in this case a mere messenger; and as such, I am not clothed with any capacity to communicate the documents I carry. Herr Doctor, I am convinced you will not fail to bear me out.”