"May I be permitted to have a word with you, Monsieur?" she asked in French, in a low, refined voice.
"Certainly," was my reply, and, not without some surprise, I rose and drew a chair for her.
She glanced round quickly, as though to satisfy herself that she would not be overheard, but, as a matter of fact, at that hour the chairs on the terraces of the café were practically deserted. At the same moment, viewing her closely, I saw that she was about twenty-four, handsome, dark-haired, with well-cut features.
"I know, Monsieur, that I am a complete stranger to you," she exclaimed with a smile, "but to me you are quite familiar by sight. I have passed you many times in Berlin and in Potsdam, and I know that you are Count von Heltzendorff, personal-adjutant to His Highness the Crown-Prince—or Count von Grünau, as he is known here in France."
"You know that!" I exclaimed.
She smiled mysteriously, replying:
"Yes. I—well, I happen to be a friend of His Highness."
I held my breath. So this pretty young Frenchwoman was one of my young Imperial master's friends!
"The fact is, Count," she went on, "I have travelled a considerable distance to see you. I said that I was one of the Crown-Prince's friends. Please do not misunderstand me. I know that he has a good many lady friends, but, as far as I am concerned, I have never been introduced to him, and he does not know me. I am his friend because of a certain friendliness towards him."
"Really, Madame, I don't quite understand," I said.