?" repeated the Prince, who had risen in great
excitement. "And it is the 11th to-day! How did you get possession of
these orders, Herr major? What proof have you that this document is
genuine?"

"I have the most convincing reasons for believing it genuine, your Royal
Highness. You can see for yourself that the orders are written on the
blue stamped paper of the English Admiralty."

"Very well, Herr major! But that would not exclude the idea of a
forgery. How did you come into possession of this paper?"

"Your Royal Highness will excuse my entering into an explanation."

"Then read on."

Heideck continued--

"On the day mentioned the Copenhagen fleet has to attack Kiel harbour.
Two battleships will take up a position before the fortress of
Friedrichsort and Fort Falkenstein on the west side, two more before
the fortifications of Labo and Moltenort on the east side of Kiel inlet;
they will keep up so hot a fire on the fortifications that the rest
of the fleet will be able to enter the harbour behind them under their
protection.

"In the harbour of Kiel there are about a hundred transports and some
older ironclads and cruisers, which cannot offer a serious resistance to
our fleet. All these ships must be attacked with the greatest rapidity
and vigour. It is of the utmost importance to send a battleship to the
entrance of the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal, in order to cut off the retreat
of the German ships. All the German ships in the harbour are to be
destroyed. The attack is to be commenced by some cruisers from the
rest of the fleet, which will enter the inlet in advance, without any
consideration of the chance of their being blown up by mines. These
vessels are to be sacrificed, if necessary, in order to set the entrance
free.

"For the attack on the German fleet in the Schelde, which must also take
place on the 15th of July, Vice-Admiral Domvile will form a fleet of two
divisions from the Channel squadrons and the cruiser fleet.

"The first division will be formed of the following battleships:
Bulwark (Vice-Admiral Domvile's flagship), Albemarle, Duncan, Montagu,
Formidable, Renown, Irresistible, and Hannibal.

"The cruisers Bacchante (Rear-Admiral Walker), Gladiator, Naiad,
Hermione, Minerva, Rainbow, Pegasus, Pandora, Abukir, Vindictive, and
Diana.

"The destroyers Dragon, Griffin, Panther, Locust, Boxer, Mallard,
Coquette, Cygnet, and Zephyr.

"Two torpedo flotillas.

"Two ammunition ships, two colliers,