‘Your Majesty has guessed the truth. The project which I have
discovered among your papers does not concern the United States, and
I am therefore willing to undertake that it shall not be revealed to
the President.’
‘Enough,’ Wilhelm II. said in subdued tones. ‘I have passed my word.’
He turned to the officer. ‘Take this man in irons to Hamburg, and
place him on board a British vessel.’
If I felt some compunction at the liberty I had taken with the name
of the United States President, I consoled myself with the assurance
that he would pardon me in view of the fact that I was acting in the
interest of the mother-country.
My escort placed me on board a steamer bound for Hull, with an
intimation to the captain that my irons were not to be struck off
till the ship was out of the Elbe.
The captain was naturally curious to learn who I was. I allowed him
to suppose that I was a Pole banished for sedition. Fortunately, I
had ample funds about me to defray my first-class passage, and I have
generally found in dealing with Englishmen that a Bank of England
note inspires more confidence than a testimonial from an Archbishop.
As soon as the boat reached Hull I made the best of my way to
Balmoral, where Lord Bedale was staying in attendance on King Edward.
Into his lordship’s astonished ears I poured the whole tale of my
discovery, passing over as lightly as possible the dangers through
which I had passed.
Lord Bedale was much moved.
‘I must thank you warmly for having kept the K----I mean, for having
kept my name out of this. The Emperor would certainly have suspected
that I was acting on King Edward’s behalf.’
‘It is possible,’ I said drily.
The Marquis glanced at me and we both smiled.
‘Enough!’ he said. ‘Remain in the neighbourhood, and I will see you
again in a day or two.’
The next time Lord Bedale sent for me his manner was entirely changed.
‘Monsieur V----,’ he said, ‘I have related the whole of your
adventure to his Majesty, who has formed the highest opinion of your
tact and fidelity; so much so, that he has now instructed me to offer
you a mission on his own behalf.’
‘That will be the highest honour I could receive.’
‘His Majesty’s health is not yet fully recovered. In consequence, his
physicians have advised him to take a sea-voyage in the early part of
the year.’
‘I trust it will benefit his Majesty very greatly.’
‘The climate of the Mediterranean has been recommended.’
‘There is no pleasanter climate at that time of year.’
‘As his Majesty will be obliged to pass by the mouth of the Tagus,
it will seem discourteous if he does not land in Lisbon, and see the
King.’
‘His Majesty’s courtesy is proverbial.’
‘In visiting his Maltese subjects he will be so near Italy that King
Victor may expect to see him in Rome.’
‘That will be only natural.’
‘In case his Majesty should feel tired of so much sea, he may feel it
pleasanter to return overland.’
‘That will involve his passing through Paris.’
‘Exactly.’
Portugal, Italy, France--these were the three States which had made a
stand against the threatened alliance against the United Kingdom. I
looked at Lord Bedale and we understood one another.
‘His Majesty proposes that you should visit each of these three
capitals in advance, and ascertain in a confidential way how he is
likely to be received, not merely by the head of the State, but by
the people themselves--the nation.’
‘I understand.’
‘King Edward desires to be received, not with formal courtesy, but
with the recognition due to the ambassador of the world’s peace.’
‘I shall bear that in mind.’
‘I may add that he only defers bestowing the Victorian Order on you
till he is able to do so in return for the services he now asks you
to render him.’
There is not much more for me to add.
In Rome, as in Lisbon, I found there was little for me to do; the
name of King Edward was already on every tongue. Even in Paris, with
its jealous and reckless Press, I found that the British King was a
favourite with those who were most ready to criticise British policy.
I had an interview with Father Loubet, as the French love to call
their homely peasant-President; the man who has proved once more that
sterling character counts for more in public life than rank or wealth
or intellectual cleverness.
Later on I had the honour of accompanying the ruler of Britain on
his stately progress of peace. And as his coming was acclaimed in
capital after capital, and the nations so long sundered by senseless
rivalries shook hands, with their sovereigns, the angry Emperors
realised that England’s ‘splendid isolation’ was over, and that she
had resumed her historic _rôle_ of the champion of the weak, and
protector of the liberties of Europe.
The glittering jewel pinned to my breast by the great Monarch’s own
hands was an unnecessary reward. To have served such a master was
enough.