Part 58 (1/2)

”That is about it, your Majesty.”

”Thank you; that is what I wanted to know. And if you will leave me your name, I think I can promise that you shall be at no disadvantage after I have gone into the matter.”

”I am much obliged, your Majesty.” The inspector came forward, drew out a card, and respectfully presenting it, retired again.

”Then, for the present, that is all,” said the King. ”It is now nearly two o'clock. You can, I believe, let yourself out?”

And in the light of a gentle, half-quizzical smile from the royal countenance, the inspector withdrew.

”What an amazing thing!” said the King to himself. ”And oh! if it is true!”

III

He knew that it was true; for in a flash he had seen the meaning of it.

And instead of angering him, it filled him with an almost intoxicating sense of power. For it meant that the Prime Minister, or the Government, could not do without him, he had been necessary to their plans.

He could not distinctly see why, whether it were a fear of Max succeeding to the throne at such a juncture or of popular resentment at the sovereign being driven to so desperate a remedy for his griefs, or fear merely of the damage that might be done to the monarchical system while bureaucracy was still depending upon it as a cloak for const.i.tutional encroachments--whether one or all of these fears impelled his minister, the King did not know; but he saw clearly enough that to force him into withdrawal of his abdication the Prime Minister had adopted a desperate and almost heroical remedy.

He bore the man no grudge; the more he envisaged the risks, the more he admired and respected him. Feebly though the bomb had been charged, carefully though directed by slow underhand bowling only at the legs of horses, at a moment when the royal carriage had actually pa.s.sed, still a bomb is an incalculable weapon--pieces of it fly in the most unexpected directions; and it was evident that for the execution of this ministerial veto on the Crown's action it had been necessary to risk the lives not merely of a picked body of troops, but of several high court officials and staff-officers riding in close attendance upon the royal coach. And a child in politics could see that if all this risk had been run to make abdication impossible, then abdication had been the right card to play.

And now that game was over, and another had begun, and if, in a certain sense, the leading cards had reverted to the ministerial hand, the King had the advantage of knowing what they were; and by leading off in another suit he might prevent the Ministry from playing them till too late for effect.

It was necessary, however, first to get his proofs. They lay at Dean's Court under official lock and key; and the hand which held that key was, for all he knew, the same which had thrown the bomb in order to frighten him. How, then, was he to get at it?

A brilliant idea occurred to him; so simple and easy that without worrying himself further he went to bed and slept upon it. And next morning, at their first meeting, he said to the Prince of Schnapps-Wa.s.ser, ”Would you not like to come and see our police museum?

Just now it contains some rather interesting exhibits--especially for us personally--that bomb, you know.” And he proceeded to give details. ”The actual pieces are all there, and a whole set of photographs, showing how the explosion took place.”

Her Majesty, hearing of the project, backed it warmly.

”You will find it quite an intellectual treat,” said she, ”our police are such intelligent creatures. I went all over the museum myself once; and it felt exactly like being in a kaleidoscope--everything so wonderfully arranged.”

”Ah, yes,” said the Prince, ”that should be very interesting.”

And so, though it was not in the day's program, quite at an early hour the King and his guest drove down together to the Prefecture.

The Prefect himself had not arrived, but they saw one of the high permanent officials; and stating the purpose of their visit were formally handed over to the Superintendent of detectives. The department was his.

”Mr. Superintendent,” said the King, ”we come upon you by surprise; are you sufficiently prepared for us?”

The Superintendent declared that his department was ready at all hours.

”I wanted to show the Prince some of your relics,” his Majesty went on, ”particularly those connected with the recent outrage.”

Of course the Superintendent was delighted; he led the way into the museum; and before long the Prince of Schnapps-Wa.s.ser became very much interested in all the things that were shown him.

Case after case was opened; and the King, seeing how smoothly matters were shaping, made no hurry toward the attainment of his goal.

Presently, pointing toward a case that stood in a window recess, the official remarked with a smile, ”There lies your Majesty's death-warrant--what is left of it.”