t evening. You promised indeed to meet me this morning; but you
preferred to rob me of my liberty and the ability to punish you for the
outrage you committed, by false charges.'

'Mannsfelder! Mannsfelder!' exclaimed the duke, secretly delighted with
the boldness of the warrior; 'We also are yet here!' and turning to the
captain, he asked; 'What have you to say to this accusation?'

'Challenged and not appear!' cried he, as the captain stood mute, with
frightfully flashing eyes. 'A Friedlandish captain! Announce yourself
to the officer of the day as under arrest, and immediately afterwards
seek for your discharge. You can no longer serve under Wallenstein!'

'Yet the captain's information with regard to the secret church-going
of these women may well deserve some consideration,' remarked the
Jesuit, rising.

'A soldier should be no priestly spy,' angrily answered the duke. 'I am
the emperor's generalissimo; but not his inquisitor. What care I about
the catechisms of his subjects. They may believe what they like,
provided they but give what they should. I adhere to my decision.'

With a devout sigh the Jesuit again seated himself; and, in despair at
the rebound of his last arrow, the captain left the hall.

With a kindness which strangely suited his stony face, the duke now
stepped directly to Dorn and slapped him upon the shoulder. 'You are
laconic and resolute,' said he, 'I like that; and moreover I must have
seen this face somewhere.'

'Perhaps on the Elbe near Dessau,' answered Dorn.

'Right!' cried the duke. 'You are the officer who held the last
entrenchment with such obstinacy. I liked you, even then. Will you
become a major in my regiment of life-guards? I shall conclude a peace
with Denmark at the earliest opportunity, and so your Danish commission
need be no hindrance.'

'To the true hero the truth may be fearlessly spoken,' said Dorn. 'I
cannot fight against my conscience.'

'I regret that any obstacle deprives me of your services,' said the
duke. 'I would very willingly do something to oblige you. Ask some
favor of me!'

'I have only to ask you,' said Dorn, 'to permit me to depart
immediately for Schweidnitz with these ladies, and also your permission
to take back with me the poor boy whom I tore from his friends in
obedience to your commands.'

'Well, take the whole baggage, comrade,' said the duke beneficently:
'and a prosperous journey to you! I will cause the necessary papers to
be given yo