“We were at Schoenbrunn,” said Rapp, “when the Emperor had just reviewed the troops.  I observed a young man at the extremity of one of the columns just as the troops were about to defile.  He advanced towards the Emperor, who was then between Berthier and me.  The Prince de Neufchatel, thinking he wanted to present a petition, went forward to tell him that I was the person to receive it as I was the aide de camp for the day.  The young man replied that he wished to speak with Napoleon himself, and Berthier again told him that he must apply to me.  He withdrew a little, still repeating that he wanted to speak with Napoleon.  He again advanced and came very near the Emperor; I desired him to fall back, telling him in German to wait till after the parade, when, if he had anything to say, it would be attended to.  I surveyed him attentively, for I began to think his conduct suspicious.  I observed that he kept his right hand in the breast pocket of his coat; out of which a piece of paper appeared.  I know not how it was, but at that moment my eyes met his, and I was struck with his peculiar look and air of fixed determination.  Seeing an officer of gendarmerie on the spot, I desired him to seize the young man, but without treating him with any severity, and to convey him to the castle until the parade was ended.

“All this passed in less time than I have taken to tell it, and as every one’s attention was fixed on the parade the scene passed unnoticed.  I was shortly afterwards told that a large carving-knife had been found on the young man, whose name was Staps.  I immediately went to find Duroc, and we proceeded together to the apartment to which Staps had been taken.  We found him sitting on a bed, apparently in deep thought, but betraying no symptoms of fear.  He had beside him the portrait of a young female, his pocket-book, and purse containing only two pieces of gold.  I asked him his name, but he replied that he would tell it to no one but Napoleon.  I then asked him what he intended to do with the knife which had been found upon him?  But he answered again, ’I shall tell only Napoleon.’—­’Did you mean to attempt his life?’—­’Yes.’—­’Why?’—­’I can tell no one but Napoleon.’

“This appeared to me so strange that I thought right to inform the Emperor of it.  When I told him what had passed he appeared a little agitated, for you know how he was haunted with the idea of assassination.  He desired that the young man should be taken into his cabinet; whither he was accordingly conducted by two gens d’armes.  Notwithstanding his criminal intention there was something exceedingly prepossessing in his countenance.  I wished that he would deny the attempt; but how was it possible to save a man who was determined to sacrifice himself?  The Emperor asked Staps whether he could speak French, and he answered that he could speak it very imperfectly, and as you know (continued Rapp) that next to you I am the best German scholar in Napoleon’s Court, I was appointed interpreter on this occasion.  The Emperor put the following questions to Staps, which I translated, together with the answers: