The Holy Carriage
Joseph patted his forehead. He had almost forgotten about the Pope.
He turned and nodded to Countess de Berninac. "Please tell Her Majesty the Queen that I will be sure to receive the Holy Father properly."
After the Queen's maid left, Joseph said to Eman, "Please have Mr. Fouche and Viscount Besançon come see me."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Half an hour later, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau and the Director of the Police Department arrived in the Crown Prince's reception room and saluted Joseph with hands to their chests. "Your Highness."
Joseph gestured toward the sofa. "Please sit. I'd like to speak with you about the Holy Father's visit to Paris."
Fouche hurriedly said, "Please rest assured, Your Highness. I have mobilized more than four hundred agents and carried out five rounds of screening. There absolutely will not be any accidents."
Joseph nodded calmly. "I am not concerned about security."
Fouche and Besançon exchanged a glance, then looked back at the Crown Prince. "You mean...?"
Joseph did not answer. Instead, he first asked Fouche, "Where is that Cardinal Prince Muzarelli now? [Note 1]"
"In the basement of Saint-Sulpice Church, Your Highness," the Director of the Intelligence Bureau said. "My people are watching him day and night."
Muzarelli had already come to Paris last week. However, when he reached the distant suburbs, Joseph had the Intelligence Bureau secretly intercept him.
"Very good," Joseph said. "Please prepare a full set of ceremonial accoutrements for him, and then do this..."
Surprise flashed through Fouche's eyes, but he still nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."
Joseph looked at Besançon again. "The day before the Pope's procession enters Paris, you are to do this..."
"Yes, Your Highness."
An hour later, Fouche and Besançon walked out of the Crown Prince's reception room. The two