He watched Norgate sternly as he crossed the room.
"Good morning, sir," the latter said.
The Ambassador nodded.
"What have you been up to, Norgate ?" he asked abruptly.
"Nothing at all that I know of, sir," was the prompt reply.
"This afternoon," the Ambassador continued slowly, "I was to have taken you, as you know, to the Palace to be received by the Kaiser.

At seven o'clock this morning I had a message.

I have just come from the Palace.
The Kaiser has given me to understand that your presence in Berlin is unwelcome." "Good God!" Norgate exclaimed.
"Can you offer me any explanation ?" For a moment Norgate was speechless.

Then he recovered himself.

He forgot altogether his habits of restraint.