The secrecy with which it had been surrounded was interpreted as a sign of malevolence.
Of course they must interfere to prevent the election being completed.
Where, however, were they to address themselves?
With a just instinct they directed their remonstrance, not to Madrid, but to Berlin; they would thereby appear not to be interfering with the independence of the Spaniards, but to be acting in self-defence against the insidious advance of German power.
They could not, however, approach Bismarck; he had retired to Varzin, to recruit his health; the other Ministers also were absent; the King was at Ems.

It was convenient that at this sudden crisis they should be away, for it was imperative that the Prussian Government should deny all complicity.

Bismarck must not let it appear that he had any interest in, or knowledge of, the matter; he therefore remained in the seclusion of Pomerania.
Benedetti also was absent in the Black Forest.

On the 4th of July, therefore, the French _Charge d'Affaires,_ M.de Sourds, called at the Foreign Office and saw Herr von Thiele.

"Visibly embarrassed," he writes, "he told me that the Prussian Government was absolutely ignorant of the matter and that it did not exist for them." This was the only answer to be got; in a despatch sent on the 11th to the Prussian agents in Germany, Bismarck repeated the assertion.