dier must have something for his
trouble and toil. In that respect, my lord has far heavier and more
just complaints against your duke. The latter has put a man to death
who wished to take service in our army.'

'The culprit was a subject of our duke, and a wilful murderer,'
answered the ambassador. 'He was executed in accordance with the right
and in pursuance of the judgment of the court of Aldermen of Leignitz.'

'No court of justice,' continued the counsellor, 'may presume to punish
any one who claims the Friedlander's protection. My lord directs you to
say to your duke, that he must send him two hundred infantry from his
own troops as an indemnification, or the heads of a dozen of the
Leignitz nobility shall be answerable for the neglect.'

The Leignitz ambassador retired with a deadly paleness, and the
messenger from Oels-Bernstadt was beckoned to approach.

'Duke Wenzel,' said the counsellor, in a cutting tone, 'has ventured to
hang same soldiers of count Terzky's regiment.'

'As robbers taken in the act,' interposed the messenger; 'in obedience
to the orders of the generalissimo himself, to keep the high roads
safe, and punish all convicted criminals.'

'Terzky has written to him,' continued the counsellor, without noticing
the interruption, 'that he has ordered the same number of the prince's
counsellors to be hanged, and that he has already set a price upon
their heads. Thereupon lord Wenzel immediately complained to the
emperor, and the complaint, as was proper, has been transmitted to my
master, who has decided upon the affair. He directs it to be announced
to your master that he approves and will sustain the acts of count
Terzky, and to give an example to the Silesian princes generally, the
principalities and baronies of your master will be confiscated and
divided among those soldiers who have merited them by their services.
With this message you are at liberty to depart.' He turned his back
upon him and with a haughty step returned to the audience-room. The
messengers departed in speechless sorrow, and at that moment a corporal
conducted two well dressed ladies into the ante-chamber. They were
closely veiled and weeping bitterly. Another corporal led a bound
Wallensteiner, with wild, staring eyes, blue lips and bristling' hair,
through the ante-chamber into the audience-room. The ladies now looked
up, and, perceiving Dorn, quickly removed their veils. He instantly
recognized his hospitable hostess an