144 PASSPORT DIFFICULTIES. 



that I had once replied to a Russian state-counsellor, 

 on his repeated offer to procure me a decoration for 

 my services to Russia, that this would afford me less 

 satisfaction than an order to construct further telegraph 

 lines for Russia. The Governor had laughed heartily, 

 when the General communicated to him the confession 

 of my sin, and bade him tell me. he would in my 

 place have thought just the same. I at once received 

 all my things back and a passport to St. Petersburg. 

 After being a short time with my brother Charles, 

 who had meanwhile followed me to Warsaw. I accor- 

 dingly continued my journey. 



Arrived in St. Petersburg after a six days" journey 

 in an extremely uncomfortable stage-coach, I immedi- 

 ately repaired to Count Kleinmichel, who, as I had 

 already heard in Warsaw, had himself issued the order 

 on his own responsibility to give me the passport. The 

 Count listened to my report in a quite friendly manner, 

 and took a look at the testimonials in regard to the 

 works hitherto executed by us which I laid before him. 

 At the treatment which I had suffered he was manifestly 

 very indignant. When, in a very favourable testimonial 

 of the president of the Berlin police Hinkeldey in regard 

 to the police telegraphs laid down by us. he found the 

 concluding remark, that politically I was altogether 

 free from suspicion, he bade me go with this testimonial 

 to the chief of the secret police, General Dubbelt. 

 "Tell the General" were his words, "I command him 

 to read the testimonial, and then bring it back to 

 me immediately, I shall show it to the Emperor!" 



