A courier, sent to Regensburg by Herr von Kracht, commandant of Berlin, immediately upon the decease of Count Adam Schwarzenberg, had prompted his son Count John Adolphus to expedite his departure from that place, and to journey by forced stages to Berlin. He repaired first to Spandow. and had his father’s embalmed remains interred with great pomp in the village church. After having thus discharged this first filial duty, he proceeded to Berlin to take possession of the inheritance left him by his father.

The whole inheritance! Not the smallest part of it should be abstracted from him! In his father’s lifetime he had been appointed his coadjutor in the Order of the Knights of Malta; now, since his father was dead he must be his successor, must be Grand Master of the Order of St. John. He sent orders to Sonnenberg, summoning a solemn chapter of the order to hold its sitting, and to send in the oath of service due him. In his father’s lifetime he had been his associate in the office of Stadtholder; now, his father being no more, he claimed the stadtholdership in the Mark as his lawful heritage. And his friends and adherents strengthened the ambitious young count in these prétentions. As soon as John Adolphus had taken up his residence in Berlin, Commandant von Kracht placed guards before the gates of his palace, and every evening demanded a watchword from the young nobleman.

Commandant von Rochow of Spandow placed himself and his garrison wholly at the disposal of the “young Stadtholder,” and Colonel von Goldacker swore that he would obey the orders of none other than Count John Adolphus, Grand Master of the Order of St. John and Stadtholder in the Mark.

Count John Adolphus allowed himself to be rocked in these olden dreams of power and ambition, believed in their realization, and was firmly determined to do everything to prove their truth. He accepted the guard, gave the watchword, and sent orders to Sonnenburg, as if he were already elected grand master; he required an oath of fealty from all those places which had been pledged to his father by the Elector George William. He also issued his mandates in Berlin, and toward magistrates and judiciary he assumed the attitude of Stadtholder in the Mark. And nobody ventured to contradict him, no court had the spirit to oppose him, for the young count stood at the head of a host of powerful and influential friends; the courts were weak and powerless, and as yet no instructions had been received from the Elector at Koenigsberg.

Count John Adolphus husbanded his time well. He sent messengers in all directions, corresponded with all his father’s friends and adherents, summoning them to rally around him, and to come sword in hand. He held correspondence also with the father confessor Silvio at Vienna, nay, even with the Emperor himself. Restlessly active was he from morning till night, his whole being absorbed in this one effort to ruin the Elector, and to win for himself his rank and power! His friends seconded him in striving to attain this great end. Everywhere they were active, everywhere they sought to work for him and to procure him adherents. At Spandow and Berlin the Commandants von Kracht and von Rochow declared themselves ready to place garrison and fortress entirely under his direction; Colonel von Goldacker, commandant of Brandenburg, had betaken himself to his post, and only awaited the count’s word to sound the tocsin of war. In Koenigsberg the Court Marshal von Waldow was most energetically massing the friends of Schwarzenberg, and his brother, Sebastian von Waldow, traveled from place to place, to gain friends and partisans for Count John Adolphus, and to ask them to come to Berlin, that, in case of danger, the count might be prepared to make a bold front against his foes. His friends everywhere led a life of bustle and stir, and all proclaimed themselves ready joyfully to unsheathe their swords in behalf of the young count, and to do battle for him if the Elector should refuse to confirm him in all his father’s appointments.

“He will not refuse,” said John Adolphus to himself, when he had just finished reading the report of his agent, Otto von Marwitz, which had only that morning reached him, “No, the weak, impotent Elector will not dare to refuse to acknowledge me as my father’s successor; for he must be well aware that I am even now more powerful in the Mark than himself, and enjoy, moreover, the favor and protection of the Emperor. He will not dare to attack me. I shall be sustained by him in my position of Stadtholder in the Mark, and then from Stadtholder to independent Sovereign requires but one step, which I mean to take, and

The door was violently burst open and Sebastian von Waldow rushed in.

“Count!” he cried, gasping for breath “Count, we are lost!”

“What is the matter? Say, what is the matter?”

“Conrad von Burgsdorf has captured the letters sent to you and myself, from Koenigsberg, by my brother, the marshal, in which was a full statement of a plan for open war.”

“For God’s sake, who says so? How do you know that?”

“One of our secret friends, who keeps his eye upon Burgsdorf, came to tell me, that I might have opportunity of warning you. In the course of a ride taken by Burgsdorf and his men in the environs of Berlin, they captured the servant whom my brother had intrusted with dispatches for you and myself. The dispatches he sent forthwith by a courier to Koenigsberg, and the servant was hurried off to the fortress of Kuestrin, that he might be unable to communicate with us.”

“That is bad news indeed,” said John Adolphus thoughtfully. “It also explains to me why Burgsdorf and his men have taken up their abode here, and frequently talk so captiously and insolently when excited by wine. It is palpable that he has been commissioned to watch and, if need be, arrest us. We must therefore be on our guard, too, and render him harmless; that is to say, we must imprison him, so that he can not imprison us.”

“If I only knew the contents of the package,” murmured Sebastian von Waldow. “In the last letter which I received from my brother he stated that he hoped soon to be able to announce with certainty whether the Elector would nominate you Stadtholder or select some one else. Now this very letter has been intercepted, and we are left in utter darkness and uncertainty.”

“Gracious sir,” proclaimed an advancing lackey, “an officer from Commandant von Kracht begs to be admitted, as he is charged with a verbal message from the commandant.”

“Admit him,” ordered the count, going hastily to meet the officer, who was just stepping into the room.

“Sir Count, I have bad news for you. Colonel von Kracht has just been arrested. He commissioned me to convey the tidings to you as he was led away.”

Count John Adolphus grew slightly pale, and exchanged a rapid glance of intelligence with Sebastian von Waldow. “Who arrested Colonel von Kracht?” he asked.

“Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf, most gracious sir. He showed Herr von Kracht his orders, signed by the Elector himself, and, as he came with a strong posse, the colonel could not resist, but was obliged to submit.”

“It is well; I thank you,” said John Adolphus quietly, and the officer took his leave. “Well, Sebastian,” he said, turning to his confidant, “you were right, the captured papers must have been of dangerous import, for we already see the results. Our enemies are active, and I like that, for thereby the denouement will be hastened and our victory brought nearer. For conquer we will!”

“Conquer or die!” sighed Sebastian von Waldow.

Again was the door thrown open violently, and the count’s high steward hurried in, trembling and pale as a sheet. “Your grace, Colonel von Burgsdorf, Colonel von Burgsdorf,” stammered he.

“What of him?” inquired the count hastily. “Speak, answer me, Wallenrodt, what of Colonel von Burgsdorf?”

“Nothing further than that he ordered your high steward to conduct him hither and announce him to you,” said a rough, mocking voice behind the count.

It was Conrad von Burgsdorf who thus spoke. He had just entered the apartment, and strode forward without apology or more formal salutation.

“Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg,” continued Burgsdorf, approaching close to the count, “I have come to do what should have been done long before, to seal the papers of the late Stadtholder in the Mark, and to take them with me.”

“Very fine,” returned the count contemptuously. “Will you have the goodness to tell me whether my revered father imparted any such instructions to you before his death, and if so, show me the written order, for otherwise I would not be inclined to give you credence.”

“Have received no orders from the deceased count,” replied Burgsdorf, shrugging his shoulders. “Would have received no orders from him, for there is only one under whom I serve, and that one is my master, the Elector Frederick William. He ordered me to affix his signet to all the papers left by Count Adam Schwarzenberg, and I have therefore come to obey these orders.”

“Where is the written order?”

“Have no written order, but obtained a verbal one just a half hour ago.”

“Ah, it pleases you to jest,” cried Count Adolphus scornfully. “You have come from Koenigsberg here in a half hour? If you will condescend to receive no commands save from the Elector, then you must have spoken with him, and, as far as I know, the Elector is at Koenigsberg.”

“Your knowledge goes not far, my pretty sir,” said Burgsdorf contemptuously. “You are in everything a very unadvised and ignorant young gentleman. The Elector is indeed at Koenigsberg, but, nevertheless, he has made known his will to me through the newly appointed Stadtholder in the Mark, who arrived here, incognito, early this morning.”

“Stadtholder in the Mark!” cried Count John Adolphus defiantly. “I know no one who can lay claim to that title but myself alone!”

“But I know some one who has not merely the title but the office itself, and that person is the Margrave Ernest von Jaegerndorf. Herr von Metzdorf, come in!”

In answer to Burgsdorf’s loud call a young officer advanced through the door leading from the adjacent room, which had been left ajar, and stood on the threshold awaiting further orders.

“Hand Count Adolphus von Schwarzenberg the Stadtholder’s printed manifesto,” said Burgsdorf. Lieutenant von Metzdorf drew near the count, extending toward him a huge sheet of paper. “Read, my dear little count!” cried Burgsdorf. “Only read! Yes, yes, it contains very interesting intelligence. Margrave Ernest informs the citizens of Berlin and Cologne that he has been nominated by our gracious Elector Stadtholder in the Mark, and has entered upon the duties of his new office. He further informs the good folks of Berlin, that his Electoral Grace has been pleased to appoint Conrad von Burgsdorf superintendent of all the fortresses within the Electorate and Mark of Brandenburg. Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf am I, and in my province as superintendent of all the fortresses I shall have all those arrested who refuse to swear allegiance to their Sovereign and Elector. Colonel von Kracht has experienced this, and his confederates shall soon enough acquire like knowledge. Count von Schwarzenberg, will you have the goodness to let me proceed to seal the papers, or must I use force by virtue of my right and authority?”

“You are the stronger,” replied the count, shrugging his shoulders, “or, rather, brute force is on your side, and against this ’twere irrational to contend. Do what I can not hinder. Seal up my father’s papers. I should think, however, that my own papers would be exempt from this procedure, and I hope the contents of my own desk will be respected.” As he spoke he cast a furtive glance upon his steward von Wallenrodt, who, nodding almost imperceptibly, slowly retreated to the door.

“I shall seal indiscriminately all the papers and desks found in the palace,” exclaimed Colonel von Burgsdorf. “This whole palace, with all it contains, belonged to Count Adam Schwarzenberg, and my orders are to seal and remove all papers left by that gentleman. You see that I can not and will not make distinctions as to what is yours and what your deceased father’s.”

“I believe, indeed, that the art of reading is for you difficult, nay almost impossible, Colonel von Burgsdorf!”

“You believe so? You are mistaken, my young sir. I can even read what is written upon men’s faces, and read upon your brow that you are not merely puffed up with self-importance, but that you are likewise forging wicked and dangerous plans, and have been led away by your ambition to desire things unsuitable for you. Come now, count, and accompany me into your father’s cabinet.”

“No!” cried the count “no, I will do no such thing! It shall not be said that I voluntarily submitted to treason and brutal violence!”

“Well, my little count,” cried Burgsdorf, laughing, “if you will not act as guide of your own accord, you must be forced to do so nolens volens. You need not show us the way, for we will merely go from chamber to chamber and affix our seal to all the papers we can find. But the law requires your presence, and your presence we shall have. Lieutenant von Metzdorf and Lieutenant von Frohberg, each of you give an arm to Count von Schwarzenberg. Sustain and support him well, for the young gentleman feels a little unwell and can not go alone.”

The two officers approached the count, who looked at them with threatening mien. “Do not dare to touch me!” he cried angrily. “I will not follow you! I will not go!”

“You will not go, will you not? Not even when my officers offer you their arms?”

“I will not go, but I shall complain to the Emperor of the violence done me, and he will procure me satisfaction.”

“Well, we shall bide our time,” said Burgsdorf placidly. “For the present it only concerns us to obtain your honored companionship. Since, however, you declare that you can not go afoot, I shall carry you!”

And before the young count could prevent it, Burgsdorf had seized him in his gigantic arms and lifted him up.

“Forward now, gentlemen,” he said, stepping briskly a few paces in advance, bearing the count as lightly and easily in his arms as if he had been an infant.

“Let me descend from the wine cask, Colonel von Burgsdorf,” said Count Adolphus, smilingly and composedly. “I have attained my end. I only wanted to defer the sealing for a few minutes. Having succeeded in effecting this, I shall no longer oppose any obstacle to your progress.”

“So much the better,” cried Burgsdorf, setting him on the ground. “For, even if you were as light as a feather, I would rather have free use of my arms and hands; and, besides, do not like such close contact with any birds of your plumage. Now, Sir Imperial Counselor, let us to work and commence the process of sealing.”

“Well and good,” said Count John Adolphus, “only permit me to ask one question. To what end this sealing, and when will the signet be removed? I am my father’s sole heir; already I have had the will opened and read in the presence of competent witnesses, and in accordance with my father’s expressed desire entered into possession of the whole inheritance. The affixing of the seal appears to me, therefore, to be superfluous. If done at all, it should have been attended to before the opening of the will.”

“It has been delayed, alas!” replied Conrad von Burgsdorf, “and it has resulted from the fact that since the Stadtholder’s death there has been nobody to issue orders or defend the right. But now, as we have once more a Stadtholder in the Mark, all will be different, and those who put themselves in opposition may be on their guard, for we seal not merely papers, but men. As regards your question, count, the sealing affects your inheritance only in so far as you have presumed to include among your estates several districts and domains pertaining to the Elector, and have been in indecent haste to take possession of them.”

“These domains were given in pledge to my father, and never redeemed.”

“That remains to be decided, and, for the purpose of setting this as well as many other matters, the Elector has ordained that a judicial court shall sit. He himself named the gentlemen who were to constitute this board of investigation, which will enter upon its duties early to-morrow morning, and begin by removing the seal from the papers which I am to make myself master of to-day. The chairman of this committee is the president of the privy council, von Goetze.”

“I know of no President von Goetze.”

“Yes, yes, your father deprived Herr von Goetze of his office because he would not dance to the Stadtholder’s piping, and was not his devoted servant to say yes to everything. But for that very reason our young Elector has installed him again in his office, and given orders, moreover, that he be the president of the committee of investigation. And now, as I have answered all your questions with praiseworthy patience and to my own satisfaction, let us at last proceed to sealing, and make a beginning in this very room. Shut the doors, Lieutenant von Metzdorf, and allow no one to go out who was here at our entrance.”

“Colonel,” replied the lieutenant, “the high steward von Wallenrodt left the room a while ago, but, as you had given no orders to that effect, I could not detain him. He went out just when you took the count up in your arms.”

“Humph! That is the reason why the count wanted to divert my attention for some minutes, that his steward might have time to execute his secret commission!” cried the colonel stamping his foot passionately. “We ought to have reflected that we had sly foxes to deal with, and guarded every outlet beforehand. Lieutenant von Metzdorf, place a man at every door and let no one out. Lieutenant von Frohberg, take with you four soldiers, and search the whole palace; if you find von Wallenrodt, arrest and search him.”

“Colonel, that is going too far!” cried Count John Adolphus, pale with rage and excitement. “You have no right to arrest and search my servant. I interpose my protest, and will bring you to account before his Majesty the Emperor.”

“I shall take care of that,” replied the colonel composedly. “If I have done wrong, let the committee of investigation call me to account. The Emperor in Vienna has nothing to do with me, and has no right to meddle in the administration of justice among us.”

“We shall see about that!” cried the count, with a threatening gesture.

“Yes, we shall see! But first we must see where the papers are, which we are to seal and carry off. Open that table drawer, count, and let us see what it contains.”

Count Adolphus had to submit to having every desk and table searched, and wherever papers were found, the great seal of the Electoral privy council was affixed, and they were then removed. He had also to submit to having the whole palace ransacked from garret to cellar in search of the steward von Wallenrodt. The sealing he could not prevent, but he had the satisfaction of seeing the soldiers fail in discovering the hiding place of his steward after making the strictest possible search, as well as of witnessing Colonel Burgsdorf’s disappointment on opening Count Adolphus’s own writing desk to find it perfectly empty.

“I said so,” growled Burgsdorf. “We forgot that we were dealing with sly foxes, and barred the doors too late. Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg, the sealing is over. Now comes the performance of my second duty. I have to announce to you on the part of Margrave Ernest, Stadtholder in the Mark, that you are under arrest in your own house until further notice, and are on no account whatever to be allowed to leave the palace. Here is the warrant, that you may not say I am acting without orders.”

He drew forth a paper, unfolded it, and handed it to the count, who rapidly glanced over it.

“I see,” said he, with proud composure, “you are acting under authority, and are merely your master’s faithful beadle. May I keep this warrant?”

“Why so?”

“To hand it to the Emperor, and show him with what disrespect they have dared to act against his counselor and chamberlain.”

“Keep the bill of indictment,” said Burgsdorf quietly. “I shall be much surprised if you shortly find yourself in a condition to present it to the Emperor in person. Certainly not just now, for you are under arrest, and can not have control of your own movements. You will therefore have the gratification of having a guard at your door, although you are not the Stadtholder. Farewell, Count John Adolphus!”

Bowing to the young count, who with a scornful laugh turned his back upon him, he left the apartment, followed by his officers.

“Metzdorf,” he said outside to the young officer in the antechamber, “to you I intrust the guarding of the palace. I know you are incorruptible, and will not allow the young gentleman to escape. Go round the palace on the outside, and before each door station two soldiers, who are to leave their posts neither by day or night. Relieve them every four hours. The Stadtholder, alas! did not order us to guard the inner doors of the house, so we must only be watchful and circumspect outside. I commit the guarding to you, and if he escapes, the responsibility rests upon yourself.”

“Unless he is a magician who can vanish through the air, he shall not escape me, colonel,” said the young officer, smiling. “I will stake my head upon his not going by ordinary means through the doors.”

“Very well, lieutenant; but hark! Place two more sentinels at the garden railing opposite the palace. They are to watch the windows night and day, sounding an alarm as soon as they observe anything suspicious. Come now. Reconnoiter the outer doors and post the sentinels. I am going to report to the Stadtholder.”

Colonel Burgsdorf left the count’s palace, and repaired to the Electoral castle, where the Margrave Ernest von Jaegerndorf had taken up his residence.

Count John Adolphus had stood listening at the door, and heard every word spoken by Burgsdorf to his lieutenant, and then listened to his heavy, retreating footstep. Now he heard the slamming of the front door, and rushing to the window, saw Burgsdorf mount his horse and ride off, followed by his companions and a wagon loaded with the papers which had been seized.

“Waldow!” cried the count, springing back from the window, “he has gone, and we have, God be thanked! no guard inside the house. We are unobserved.”

“What good will that do us, Sir Count,” sighed Waldow. “We can not leave the house, and your papers have been seized.”

“Not my papers, Waldow! No, God be praised! not my papers!” exulted the count. “Did you not see that my writing desk was empty?”

“And what does that signify?”

“It signifies that my trusty steward von Wallenrodt understood my hint, and, while I detained Burgsdorf, abstracted and concealed my papers.”

“Think you so?” asked Waldow, shrugging his shoulders. “It seems to me more likely that the steward has imitated the rats, who always forsake a sinking ship, and has gone off. The palace has been ransacked and von Wallenrodt was nowhere to be found. He has probably gone to the new Stadtholder, thinking to benefit himself by betraying you.”

“You slander my faithful servant,” said the count. “I know him better, and am confident that he will not betray me. Come, Waldow, accompany me to my father’s cabinet.

“I will now show you that you have judged my steward falsely,” he continued, when they had reached the cabinet.

“This apartment conceals a mystery, known only to my father, myself, and Wallenrodt. Now, you shall become acquainted with it, and learn at the same time that there is still good faith in the world.”

He crossed the spacious apartment to the large mirror, which, reaching down to the floor, filled up the whole space between the windows. He pressed an ornament of the frame, and the mirror flew back, having become a door, which opened and revealed a niche concealed in the wall. From this niche stepped forth the steward, with a great roll of papers in his hand.

“Most gracious sir,” he said quietly, handing the roll to the count, “here are the papers of your writing desk.”

“Thank you, my faithful Wallenrodt!” cried Adolphus Schwarzenberg, offering him his hand. “I knew that I could count upon you, and, when the writing desk was found empty, knew that you had understood my glance. But now, before we advise as to what is further to be done, let me examine these papers, for I do not exactly know whether they contain all that I would wish to conceal from Burgsdorf and my other enemies. Step into that window recess, friends, and let me look over these papers.”

The two gentlemen retired into the deep window niche, and conversed together in whispers, while Count Adolphus rummaged over the papers with quick and nervous fingers. Ever quicker, ever more nervous became the movements of his hand, ever darker grew his brow, ever more anxious his countenance. As he laid aside the last sheet a sudden pallor overspread his face, and for a moment he leaned back in the fauteuil, quite faint and exhausted.

“Dearest sir!” cried the steward, hurrying toward him, “are not the papers all in order?”

“It is just as I feared,” said the count, sighing. “My whole correspondence with my father, during my last sojourn at Regensburg, besides copies of my letters to the Emperor and Marwitz, were in the drawer of my father’s writing table, and have been carried off with the rest.”

“And did these letters compromise you, count?” asked Herr von Waldow, drawing nearer to him.

“With these letters in his hand, President von Goetze, the chairman of the committee of investigation, can arraign me as guilty of high treason and condemn me to death.”

A long pause ensued. With gloomy countenances all three cast their eyes upon the ground. Then the steward lifted up his head, with an expression of firm resolve.

“You must flee, gracious sir,” he cried earnestly.

“Flee?” repeated the count, shrugging his shoulders. “Ah, you have not heard of what further happened after you withdrew to your place of concealment!”

“The whole palace is surrounded by soldiers,” completed Herr von Waldow. “At each door stand two sentinels, and even at the park gate two guards are stationed.”

“You see plainly, Wallenrodt, that flight is impossible,” said the count.

The steward smiled. “Through doors and windows you can not escape, in truth. There is a third way, however.”

“What sort of way, Wallenrodt?”

“The secret passage, count.”

“I know of no secret passage.”

“But I do, count. Your late revered father had this secret passage built at the time the cities revolted and the Swedes were threatening Berlin. He had fifty workmen brought from Vienna, who were kept concealed in the palace, and worked every night upon this subterranean passage, and as soon as it was completed he had the men sent back to Austria. It is not to be supposed that you should know anything of this, count, for it happened at least fifteen years ago, when you were but a lad. While the work lasted the count resided at Spandow, taking all his household with him, that no one might know anything about the secret passage. Only the old castellan and I remained behind, to overlook the work. We were the only two besides the Stadtholder who knew the secret. You must flee through the subterranean passage, gracious sir.”

“Whither does the secret passage lead?” asked the count.

“Winding along underground, it has its outlet in the little pavilion in the center of the park. The key to the outer door hangs within the passage, as does also the key to the garden gate. All is in good order, for, fearing that the count’s affairs might take a bad turn, I examined the passage through its whole extent until I arrived at the pavilion. Your grace can escape in that way unperceived.”

“And you, my faithful friends, will accompany me,” said the count, extending his hands to the two gentlemen. “You were right just now, Waldow, when you said we should conquer or die. It seems now as if we must be ruined. Our enemies have gone to work with more zeal and determination than ourselves. While we pondered, they acted; while we tarried, they strode energetically forward. The young Elector has made good use of his time, and like a spider has caught us in the net with which he had lightly and secretly encircled us. All my foes, all the sworn adversaries of my father, has he called out to battle against us. Envy, hatred, malice, are the regiments which the young lord musters into the field, and by means of these he has for the moment conquered us. But only for the moment. A day of reckoning will come to the haughty young sir. He thinks himself free and independent, but he shall learn that there is one higher than he to whom he must bow, to whom he owes obedience. Yes, the Emperor Ferdinand will avenge me upon this arrogant young man. He will cause his proud neck to bend, and force his vassal to give me satisfaction, and to reinstate me in all my offices and dignities, which he would unjustly withhold from me. I shall go to the Emperor at Vienna, and Ha, what a thought!” he exclaimed, interrupting himself. Rushing across to his writing table, whose empty drawers were stretched wide open, he tore one out and thrust his arm into the vacant space.

“The secret compartment,” he cried triumphantly. “Old Burgsdorf’s keen scent failed him this time. Here it is, safe and inviolate. Here!”

When he drew forth his hand it contained a small box, which he opened by touching a spring. The lid flew open; the box contained nothing but a dainty, perfumed note. Still the count esteemed it a precious possession. He took the paper and waved it exultingly above his head.

“This is my salvation!” he cried. “With this paper in my hand I am armed against all the villainy and malice of the Elector. Oh, my dear, noble father, I must thank you for this security, thank you that I shall come forth victor from this contest with my enemy. It was you who pointed out to me the significance of this paper, who gave me the wise counsel to preserve it for future use. Thank you, oh, my father! At this hour this paper is the most precious inheritance which you have left me. I shall use it in accordance with your views, and as actuated by your spirit.

“Now, my friends,” he continued, “now am I ready for flight. Let us consider what is to be done.”

“Gracious sir, I have already considered,” replied Wallenrodt warmly, “and I hope you will approve my plan. You can not make use of the subterranean passage by day, for, as I said before, it has its outlet in the center of the park, and if you pass through the lower garden gate in safety, you have still to go through the suburbs of Cologne. Every one would recognize you, and who knows whether Colonel von Burgsdorf may not have placed sentinels there too? You must, therefore, make your escape by night. I, on the contrary, dressed as a simple burgher, will take advantage of the subterranean passage now, and, watching my opportunity, when the street is quiet will leave the park and go away.”

“Where are you going, Wallenrodt?”

“To Spandow, gracious sir, to Colonel von Rochow. I want to inform him of the course events have taken to tell him that you are forced to leave Berlin. When nightfall comes your grace will be pleased to go through the subterranean passage in company with Herr von Waldow, emerge into the park, and then proceed up the street. Without especial haste, for any appearance of haste might excite remark, you will go to the Willow-bank Gate. Outside I will await you with two saddled horses. These you will mount, and ride at full gallop to Spandow, where Herr von Rochow will be ready to receive your grace. From that place the count can depart when so disposed.”

“Your plan is good and feasible,” said the count. “I accept it. Hasten, therefore, good friend, hasten to Colonel von Rochow with tidings of what has befallen us here. Tell him that the time for hesitancy and delay has passed, that the hour of action has come. He has hitherto manfully refused to give in his oath to the Elector, and therefore the fortress of Spandow belongs to the Emperor, the sworn lord of its commandant, rather than to the Elector of Brandenburg. The walls of the Imperial fort will afford us protection and security, and from that point we can begin our contest with the enemy, who has so treacherously attacked us. Be off, my Wallenrodt, be off, and may we meet to-night in freedom and joy!”

“Only forget not to arm yourself, gracious sir, and take care that no one watches and pursues you.”

“I shall precede the count with two loaded pistols,” cried Herr von Waldow. “I will shoot down whoever shall dare to oppose him, and open a free path for him to the Willow-bank Gate, where you will be waiting for us, Wallenrodt.”

“We will both go armed and defend ourselves bravely,” said Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg. “We would rather die than fall into the hands of our enemies. Go now, Wallenrodt, for you have verily a long way before you. The road to Spandow is long.”

“In three hours I shall be there, honored sir. We shall then have ample time to make our preparations for defense, and meet you here at twilight with horses. Come now, gentlemen, that I may show you the approach to the subterranean passage. It is in the little corridor next your late father’s cabinet.”