INTRODUCTION. 5 



" With my bloody sword in one hand, and the paper 

 in the other, containing a description of my person, 

 and an order to seize me dead or alive, I went to the 

 police authorities. I showed them the paper, told 

 them of the assault upon me, and where they could 

 find the dead body in the street, and possibly the 

 three lazzaroni. Instead of arresting me, they 

 applauded my deed, allowing me to go free. As I 

 was soon thereafter warned by Cardinal Franchi and 

 the Countess Odescalchi, nee Pototska, of noble 

 Polish birth, of another conspiracy against me, I left 

 Rome for Paris, when my life was again attempted 

 by a Russian spy." 



But why should they seek to kill you? 



" The Russian detective has the privilege of kill- 

 ing his victim if he can catch him in no other way. 

 Finding Napoleon unfriendly, or at least indifferent, 

 I returned to Switzerland. Here I was waited on 

 by emissaries from Alexander, who offered to restore 

 to me my entire property — which he had confiscated 

 — and all my other rights, if I would swear to bend 

 the knee to him and become once more his body- 

 guard." 



You liked the Emperor, did you not? 



" Ah, madam, the Russians are a nation of liars, 

 and I loved my freedom too well to put it again in 

 jeopardy. Knowing that even now these messengers 

 of the Emperor had secret power to enforce his com- 

 mands, I asked for a few hours in which to arrange 

 some affairs. Fancying that they had met with less 

 opposition than they expected, they readily and cour- 

 teously acceded to my request. I wasted no time. 



