“This event, though pains were taken to keep it secret, became the subject of conversation in the castle of Schoenbrunn.  In the evening the Emperor sent for me and said, ’Rapp, the affair of this morning is very extraordinary.  I cannot believe that this young man of himself conceived the design of assassinating me.  There is something under it.  I shall never be persuaded that the intriguers of Berlin and Weimar are strangers to the affair.’—­’Sire, allow me to say that your suspicions appear unfounded.  Staps has had no accomplice; his placid countenance, and even his fanaticism, are easiest proofs of that.’—­’I tell you that he has been instigated by women:  furies thirsting for revenge.  If I could only obtain proof of it I would have them seized in the midst of their Court.’—­’Ah, Sire, it is impossible that either man or woman in the Courts of Berlin or Weimar could have conceived so atrocious a design.’—­ ’I am not sure of that.  Did not those women excite Schill against us while we were at peace with Prussia; but stay a little; we shall see.’—­ ‘Schill’s enterprise; Sire, bears no resemblance to this attempt.’  You know how the Emperor likes every one to yield to his opinion when he has adopted one which he does not choose to give up; so he said, rather changing his tone of good-humoured familiarity, ’All you say is in vain, Monsieur le General:  I am not liked either at Berlin or Weimar.’  There is no doubt of that, Sire; but because you are not liked in these two Courts, is it to be inferred that they would assassinate you?’—­’I know the fury of those women; but patience.  Write to General Lauer:  direct him to interrogate Staps.  Tell him to bring him to a confession.’

“I wrote conformably with the Emperor’s orders, but no confession was obtained from Staps.  In his examination by General Lauer he repeated nearly what he had said in the presence of Napoleon.  His resignation and firmness never forsook him for a moment; and he persisted in saying that he was the sole author of the attempt, and that no one else was aware of it.  Staps’ enterprise made a deep impression on the Emperor.  On the day when we left Schoenbrunn we happened to be alone, and he said to me, ’I cannot get this unfortunate Staps out of my mind.  The more I think on the subject the more I am perplexed.  I never can believe that a young man of his age, a German, one who has received a good education, a Protestant too, could have conceived and attempted such a crime.  The Italians are said to be a nation of assassins, but no Italian ever attempted my life.  This affair is beyond my comprehension.  Inquire how Staps died, and let me know.’

“I obtained from General Lauer the information which the Emperor desired.  I learned that Staps, whose attempt on the Emperor’s life was made on the 23d of October; was executed at seven o’clock in the morning of the 27th, having refused to take any sustenance since the 24th.  When any food was brought to him he rejected it, saying, ’I shall be strong enough to walk to the scaffold.’  When he was told that peace was concluded he evinced extreme sorrow, and was seized with trembling.  On reaching the place of execution he exclaimed loudly, ’Liberty for ever!  Germany for ever!  Death to the tyrant!’”