Besides, I do not
care to put the Kaid to the test."
The Emperor looked at me queerly, but, evidently satisfied with my
answer, he turned to Count Wedel, saying:
"He will do. Have the dispatches ready."
At once the Count hurried noiselessly into an adjoining room. The
Kaiser, making one of his characteristic sudden movements, flung
himself back into the chair, looked steadily at me, and added:
"Besides the official dispatches you will memorize these commands, for
the Captain of the warship _Panther_." He handed me a note, which I
did not immediately look at, for he continued: "Outside of Count
Wedel, no one is to know anything of your mission. No one is to know
that you are carrying a verbal message from me to the Captain of the
warship _Panther_. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
The Emperor as abruptly drew himself forward, and propping his head
with his hands, fell into a deep study, gazing fixedly at nothing. He
seemed in that moment to be considerably older. His face, even for
the tan, had that grayish look of a man who is carrying some
tremendous responsibility. It came to me swiftly, the popular clamor
for war, _Panther_!--the _Panther_ was lying off Spain ready to steam
across the Mediterranean to Morocco. And I was to bear secret orders
from the Emperor to the _Panther's_ captain.
Then I opened the note that the Emperor had given me, and began to
memorize its contents.
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