given to the administrators to pay the money.

Just at this time I arrived at Vienna, from Petersburg. Doctor Berger,
the advocate of Trenck, told me the affair would admit of no delay. I
hastened to the Empress, and obtained an order to delay payment. An
inquiry was instituted, and this forest of Tscherra Horra was found to be
situated in Turkey. The absurdity and injustice were flagrant, and it
was revoked. I cannot say how much of these forty-five thousand florins
the Baron had promised to the noble judge and the attorney. I only know
that neither of them was punished. Had not some holidays luckily
intervened, or had the attorney expected my arrival, the money would have
been paid, and an ineffectual attempt to obtain retribution would have
been the consequence, as happened in many similar instances.

I have before mentioned the advertisement inviting all who had any
demands or complaints against Trenck to appear, with the promise of a
ducat a day; and it is mere proper to add that the sum of fifteen
thousand florins was brought to account, and paid out of the estates of
Trenck. For this shameful purpose some thousand of florins were paid
besides to this species of claimants and though, after examination, their
pretensions all proved to be futile, and themselves were cast in damages,
yet was none of this money ever refunded, or the false claimants
punished. Among these the pretended daughter of General Schwerin
received two thousand florins, notorious as was her character. Again,
Trenck was accused of having appropriated the money to his own use, and
treated as if convicted. After his death a considerable demand was
accordingly made. I happening, however, to meet with Ruckhardt, his
quarter-master, he with asseverations declared that, instead of being
indebted to the regiment, the regiment was more than a hundred thousand
florins indebted to him, advised me to get attestations from the
captains, and assured me he himself would give in a clear statement of
the regiment's accounts.

I followed his advice, hastened to the regiment, and obtained so many
proofs, that the quarter-master of the regiment, who, with the major, had
in reality pocketed the money, was imprisoned and put in irons. What
became of the thief or the false witness afterward I know not; I only
know that nothing was refunded, that the quarter-master found protectors,
detained the money, and, some years after this vile action, purchased a