rew back a little. The order was repeated; the crowd
murmured. I half turned to go; but, the next moment, my hat was struck
off my head by the police-assistant.

What followed was mere confusion. I struck the "Polizeidiener;" and, in
return, received several blows on the head from behind with a heavy
stick. In less than ten minutes I was lodged in the police-office of the
district; my hat broken and my clothes bespattered with the blood which
had dropped, and was still dropping, from the wounds in my head.

I had full time to reflect upon the obstinate folly which had produced
this result; nor were my reflections enlivened by the manners of the
police-agents attached to the office. They threatened me with heavy
pains and punishments; and the Polizeidiener whom I had struck, assured
me, while stanching his still-bleeding nose, that I should have at least
"three months for this."

After several hours' waiting in the dreary office, I was abruptly called
into the commissioner's room. The commissioner was seated at a table
with writing materials before him, and commenced immediately, in a sharp
offensive tone, a species of examination. After my name and country had
been demanded, he asked:

"Of what religion are you?"

"I am a Protestant."

"So! Leave the room."

I had made no complaint of my bruises, because I did not think this the
proper place to do so; although the man who dealt them was present. He
had assisted, stick in hand, in taking me to the police-office. He was
in earnest conversation with the Polizeidiener, but soon left the office.
From that instant I never saw him again; nor, in spite of repeated
demands, could I ever obtain redress for, or even recognition of, the
violence I had suffered.

Another weary hour, and I was consigned to the care of a police-soldier;
who, armed with sabre and stick, conducted me through the crowded city to
prison. It was then two o'clock.

The prison, situated in the Spengler Gasse, is called the
"Polizei-Haupt-Direction." We descended a narrow gut, which had no
outlet, except through the prison gates. They were slowly opened at the
summons of my conductor. I was beckoned into a long gloomy apartment,
lighted from one side only, and having a long counter running down its
centre; chains and handcuffs hung upon the walls.

An official was standing behind the counter. He asked me abruptly:

"Whence come you?"

"From England," I answered.

"Where's that?