sed, Sire?"

"Koupriane--"

"Ah! Ah! ... Pardon!"

"My Chief of Police justly complains that you have traversed all his
designs and that you have taken it upon yourself to ruin them. First,
you removed his agents, who inconvenienced you, it seems; then, the
moment that he had the proof in hand of the abominable alliance of
Natacha Feodorovna with the Nihilists who attempt the assassination of
her father your intervention has permitted that proof to escape him. And
you have boasted of the feat, monsieur, so that we can only consider you
responsible for the attempts that followed.

"Without you, Natacha would not have attempted to poison her father.
Without you, they would not have sent to find physicians who could blow
up the datcha des Iles. Finally, no later than yesterday, when this
faithful servant of mine had set a trap they could not have escaped
from, you have had the audacity, you, to warn them of it. They owe their
escape to you. Monsieur, those are attempts against the security of the
State which deserves the heaviest punishment. Why, you went out one day
from here promising me to save General Trebassof from all the plotting
assassins who lurked about him. And then you play the game of the
assassins! Your conduct is as miserable as that of Natacha Feodorovna is
monstrous!"

The Emperor ceased, and looked at Rouletabille, who had not lowered his
eyes.

"What can you say for yourself? Speak--now."

"I can only say to Your Majesty that I come to take leave of you because
my task here is finished. I have promised you the life of General
Trebassof, and I bring it to you. He runs no danger any more! I say
further to Your Majesty that there exists nowhere in the world a
daughter more devoted to her father, even to the death, a daughter more
sublime than Natacha Feodorovna, nor more innocent."

"Be careful, monsieur. I inform you that I have studied this affair
personally and very closely. You have the proofs of these statements you
advance?"

"Yes, Sire."

"And I, I have the proofs that Natacha Feodorovna is a renegade."

At this contradiction, uttered in a firm voice, the Emperor stirred,
a flush of anger and of outraged majesty in his face. But, after this
first movement, he succeeded in controlling himself, opened a drawer
brusquely, took out some papers and threw them on the table.

"Here they are."

Rouletabille reached for the papers.

"You do not read Russian, monsieur. I will translate their