a dozen people in this world
who know me by sight, and among that half-dozen no Elector is included.
Outside the Palace at Frankfort I am acquainted with a sword maker or
two, and about a score of good fellows who are friends of theirs, but to
them I am merely a fencing-master. Now, seven hundred thalers a month
pass through your honest hands to mine, and will continue to do so. Your
son seems to be even more silent than yourself, and he is a young fellow
whom I suspect knows the difference between a thaler and a button on his
own coat. If you do what I wish, there will be some slight risk, but
think of the reward immediate and in future! At once you come into an
income of seven hundred thalers a month. If I am elected Emperor, I
shall ennoble you, and present you with the best post in the land. If
you don't do what I wish, I shall cause your head cut off as the first
act of my first day of power.'"

"You did not threaten to slit his throat with your own sword, failing
your elevation?" asked the merchant, with a smile.

"No. He was quite safe from my vengeance unless I came to the throne."

"In that case I should say the custodian need not fear the future. But
please go on with your account."

"I proposed that his son and I should exchange costumes; in short, the
young man was to take my place, occupying the suite of rooms assigned to
me in the Castle. I told his father there was not the slightest fear of
discovery, for if the Archbishop of Mayence sent some one to see that
the Prince was safe, or even came himself, all the young man need do was
to follow my example and keep silent, for I had said nothing from the
time I was roused in my room in the Saalhof until I was lodged in
Ehrenfels. I promised, if set at liberty, to keep within touch of
Frankfort, where, at the first rumor of any crisis, I could return
instantly to Ehrenfels.

"The custodian is a slow-minded man, although not so laggard in coming
to an agreement as yourself. He took a week to turn the matter over in
his mind, and then made the plunge. He is now jailer to his own son, and
that young peasant lives in a style he never dreamed of before. The
Archbishops are satisfied, because they believe I cannot escape from the
stronghold--like yourself, holding but a poor opinion of my abilities;
and their devout Lordships know that outside the fortress no person, not
even my mother, wishes me forth. I took in my wallet five hundred
thalers, and fared like th