tes--an interchange of questions and
answers--an examination of the travelers by the aid of lanterns and pine
torches, angry looks, and even intelligible threats, and, finally, a
long drive through the streets of the old capital. Sometimes all around
them was still as death; sometimes a wild cry resounded from the crowd,
all the more alarming because the words were not understood.

At length the driver turned into a square, and stopped before a handsome
house. The travelers were surrounded and pushed up a broad staircase by
a crowd of gay uniforms, laced coats, and clean smock frocks. Next they
were thrust into a large apartment, and placed before a gentleman
wearing white silk gloves, who looked into a written report, and briefly
informed them that, according to the report of the commandant at the
station, they were suspected of being spies, and were to undergo a
court-martial. The merchant at once broke out in high displeasure: "I am
sorry that your informant should have told you a great falsehood, for we
have undertaken this journey on the highway and in broad daylight, for
the express purpose of speaking to your governors. The horses and
carriage which brought me here are both mine, and it was an uncalled-for
act of politeness on the part of your commandant to furnish me with an
escort. I wish to see the gentleman in command here as soon as possible;
it is to him alone that I mean to impart the motive of my journey; be so
good, therefore, as to hand him my passport."

The official examined the passport, and, looking at Anton, proceeded to
inquire, with somewhat more consideration, "But this gentleman? He has
the appearance of an officer in your army."

"I am a clerk of Mr. Schroeter's," returned Anton, with a bow; "and out
and out a civilian."

"Wait a while," said the young man, superciliously, going with the
passport into a neighboring room.

As he remained away some time, and no one interfered with the travelers,
they sat down on a bench, and tried to appear as unconcerned as
possible. Anton first cast an anxious glance at his principal, who was
looking down gloomily, and then gazed about him in amazement. The room
in which they were was lofty, and the ceiling much ornamented, but the
walls were dirty and smoke-stained; tables, chairs, and benches stood
about in confusion, and seemed as if just brought in from the nearest
tavern. A few writers bent over their papers, while soldiers sat or lay
along the walls