night, and in the morning he has ten thousand soldiers as compared
with the three thousand each commanded by the Archbishops of Treves and
Cologne. That means civil war, and the complete crushing of the two
northern Archbishops."

"I think you take too serious a view of the matter," commented Roland.
"Mayence is undoubtedly a subtle man, who takes every precaution that he
shall have his own way. The reason that there will be no civil war is
this. I happen to know on very excellent authority that so far as the
Electoral Court goes, Mayence is paramount. He does not need to conquer
Cologne and Treves by force, because he is already supreme by his genius
for intrigue. He is a born ruler, and his methods are all those of
diplomacy as against those of arms. I dare say if occasion demanded it
he would strike quick and strike effectually, but occasion does not
demand. I am rather sure of my facts, and I know that the three
Archbishops, together with the Count Palatine of the Rhine, are in
agreement to elect my namesake, Prince Roland, Emperor of Germany."

"Yes," said Greusel, "I heard that rumor, and it is generally believed
in Frankfort. Rumor, however, as usual, speaks falsely."

The Prince smiled at his pessimistic colleague, for that colleague was
talking to the man who knew; nevertheless, he listened patiently, for of
course he could not yet reveal himself to his somber lieutenant, who
continued his narrative:

"The two men spoke of the unfortunate Prince, who is, I understand,
still a prisoner in Ehrenfels."

Here Roland laughed outright.

"My dear Greusel, you are entirely mistaken. The Prince was never really
a prisoner, and is at this moment in Frankfort, as free to do what he
likes as I am."

"I am sorry," said Greusel, "that you do not grasp the seriousness of
the situation, but I have not yet come to the vital part of it, although
I thought the very fact that seven thousand men threatened Frankfort
would impress you."

"It does, Greusel," said Roland, remembering the distrust in which both
the Countess and her guardian held Mayence, and also the close watch his
Lordship was keeping over Frankfort, as evidenced by the domiciliary
visit paid to himself by an officer of that potentate. "Go on, Greusel,"
he said more soberly, "I shall not interrupt you again."

"I gathered that Prince Roland actually had been chosen, but
complications arose which I do not altogether understand. These
complications relate to