Tsar Nicholas I often encountered scenes where loyalty to the Emperor was tested during his inspections across Russia.
Once, when a local official met the Tsar, the Tsar asked him, "How will you prove your loyalty to me?"
The official replied without hesitation, "Your Majesty, I will build a statue in your honor."
The Tsar was puzzled, "A statue? But I haven't done anything worthy of commemoration."
The official smiled smugly, "Your Majesty, what you just said is the best proof of my loyalty!"
— Alexander Ivanovich Herzen, 1853 in London, "Free Russia" political satire column
The Police Chief sat cautiously at the table, his hands slightly trembling, his eyes frequently glancing at Arthur, fearing he'd make a mistake.
His back was tense, as if sitting next to a pressure cooker that could explode at any moment.
