The former French Minister of Finance, Charles Alexander de Calonne, smiled and returned the salute before calling out, "Thank you, Prince Maximilian, for arranging this reception for us. And thank you all for coming."
After a few brief pleasantries, he swiftly came to the point. "I know everyone must be deeply concerned about 'that matter.'
"I also know that some of you are muttering to yourselves, 'Calonne is probably a swindler.'"
The crowd laughed obligingly.
Calonne pointed west. "To dispel your concerns, I would like to invite you all on a journey.
"Well, it will be a very long journey, but trust me—the scenery along the way will make it more than worthwhile.
"And our first stop will be Metz."
Dietrich, Bavaria's Minister of Trade, asked in confusion, "Metz? What is there?"
"Sugar beet fields." Calonne's tone was like reciting poetry. "And France's largest cane sugar warehouse.
"Fifteen percent of the cane sugar sold on the Paris Futures Exchange is delivered from there."
Wallenberg called out, "What is the purpose?"
Calonne blinked mysteriously. "The warehouse manager and I are the best of friends. So, everyone will be able to enter the warehouse for a tour. You may even bring experts to calculate the amount stored there."
The people in the room were immediately intrigued.
Because France's sugar reserves were inextricably tied to "that matter."
Calonne continued, "After visiting the warehouse, we will travel along the Seine River to Le Havre Port, where we will board a ship for the Caribbean Sea."
A noblewoman in her fifties said in surprise, "We are going somewhere so far away? These old bones of mine cannot endure the wind and waves."
Calonne smiled and shook his head. "Trust me—the profits from 'that matter' will be enough to make you fall in love with the