Somewhere in the stone corridor outside could be heard the measured tramp of the sentry, but that, and the rapid scratching of the Emperor’s pen, were the only sounds which broke the quiet.
At last he rose and handed me three sheets of foolscap bearing the Imperial arms—the orders which I sought.
I took them with thanks, but after a moment’s hesitation I ventured to add:
“I wonder if I might request of Your Majesty a further favour?”
“Well,” he asked with a smile, “what is it?”
“That my journey to Siberia should be kept a secret from the police?”
“Eh—what?” he asked quickly, looking at me strangely. “You do not wish the police to know. Why? There is to be no attempted escape, surely?”
“I give Your Majesty my word that Madame de Rosen will not attempt to escape,” I said. “I will, indeed, make myself responsible for her. The fact is that I know I have enemies among the Secret Police; hence I wish them to remain in entire ignorance of my journey.”
“Enemies!” he echoed. “Who are they? Tell me, and I will quickly turn them into your friends,” he said.
“Alas, Sire, I do not exactly know their identity,” was my reply.