Gotthold, stooping very low over his desk, appeared to have resumed
his labours; but his shoulders heaved with subterranean merriment.
The Prince waited, drawing his handkerchief quietly through his
fingers.

'Your Highness, in this informal manner,' said the old gentleman at
last, 'and being unavoidably deprived of documents, it would be
difficult, it would be impossible, to do justice to the somewhat
grave occurrences which have transpired.'

'I will not criticise your attitude,' replied the Prince. 'I desire
that, between you and me, all should be done gently; for I have not
forgotten, my old friend, that you were kind to me from the first,
and for a period of years a faithful servant. I will thus dismiss
the matters on which you waive immediate inquiry. But you have
certain papers actually in your hand. Come, Herr Greisengesang,
there is at least one point for which you have authority. Enlighten
me on that.'

'On that?' cried the old gentleman. 'O, that is a trifle; a matter,
your Highness, of police; a detail of a purely administrative order.
These are simply a selection of the papers seized upon the English
traveller.'

'Seized?' echoed Otto. 'In what sense? Explain yourself.'

'Sir John Crabtree,' interposed Gotthold, looking up, 'was arrested
yesterday evening.'