The readers of my previous revelations will have noticed that I have
constantly been engaged in thwarting the schemes of the cunning
rulers of Russia. This has been to me a labour of love. My father, as
I have said, was a native of Poland, and I have avenged his wrongs on
the Government which drove him forth to exile.
I have already related how I exposed and defeated the insidious
design concealed under the Peace Rescript of Nicholas II. Hardly
had this audacious intrigue miscarried when Europe was startled to
hear that the Ministers of the Imperial peacemaker had overthrown
the ancient liberties of Finland, in order to swell the Finnish
contingent to the armies of the Tsar.
This time I admit that I was deceived, like everybody else. The
brutal frankness of the proceeding disarmed suspicion. When Russia
openly declares herself a tyrant, it is difficult to believe she is
dissembling.
But there was one man in Europe who saw that there was more in the
proceedings against Finland than met the eye. This was a monarch
whose genius and nobility of character would have placed him at the
head of living rulers had he been born to the command of a great
Power instead of a small and distracted State. I need scarcely say
that I refer to his Majesty, King Oscar of Sweden and Norway.
It was with peculiar satisfaction that I received a confidential
summons from this King, whose fine qualities I had long admired,
and by whom I felt it a distinction to be trusted. I was far from
guessing the real nature of the business on which I was to be
employed.
As the message did not come to me through the Scandinavian Minister
in Paris, but was a private autograph communication from King Oscar
himself, I was disposed to think his Majesty wanted me to adjust some
family affair. It is well known that the Bernadottes are not more
free from such anxieties than other royal houses.
On my arrival at the beautiful capital of Sweden, I put up at the
Hotel Rydberg, entering myself as the Baron de Neuville, on tour.
The same evening I was called upon by one of the King’s intimate
friends, the Count Söderhielm, who took me across to the Palace, and
introduced me into King Oscar’s private cabinet.
I noticed as we crossed the Place Gustavus Adolphus that the flag
was not hoisted on the Palace. His Majesty was supposed to be at
Drottningholm, from which place he had come secretly in a small
launch for the purpose of our interview.
As soon as Count Söderhielm had presented me to his Majesty, he
retired to the antechamber, leaving us together.
‘Perhaps you are wondering what I have sent for you to do?’ King
Oscar began.
‘At least, I do not doubt that any service on which your Majesty
employs me will be an honourable one,’ I answered respectfully.
The King smiled.
‘I have not sent for you to pay me compliments,’ he said rebukingly.
‘Let me first ask if it is true that you are no friend to the Russian
Government?’