The King
then proceeded to question him on matters relating to his imprisonment and
his previous history, to all of which Monsieur Maurice seemed to reply at
some length, and with great earnestness of manner. Of these explanations,
however, my father's imperfect knowledge of the language enabled him to
catch only a few words here and there.
Presently, in the midst of a somewhat lengthy statement, Monsieur Maurice
pronounced the name of Baron von Bulow. Hereupon the King checked him by a
gesture; desired all present to withdraw; caused the door to be closed; and
carried on the rest of the examination in private. By and by, after the
lapse of nearly three quarters of an hour, my father was recalled, and an
officer in waiting was despatched to Monsieur Maurice's rooms to fetch what
was left of the bottle of Seltzer-water, which Monsieur Maurice had himself
locked up in the sideboard the night before.
The King then asked if there was any scientific man in Bruehl capable of
analysing the liquid; to which my father replied that no such person could
be found nearer than Cologne or Bonn. Hereupon a dog was brought in from
the stables, and, having been made to swallow about a quarter of a pint of
the Seltzer-water, was presently taken with convulsions, and died on the
spot.
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