. If one of the officers can be induced to
sell his cup, it will cost twenty louis d'or. Trenck gets no money for
his work, but he has gained far greater advantages. These cups give him
the opportunity of making known to the world the cruel tortures to which
he is subject; they have given him speech, and replaced the writing
materials of which they have deprived him. They have answered even a
better and holier purpose than this," said the jeweller, in a low voice,
"they have procured him light and air. In order to give him sufficient
light for his work, the officers open the doors into the first corridor,
in which there is a large window; one of the upper panes of this window
is open every morning. As the days are short in the casemates, the
commandant looks through his fingers, when the officers bring lights to
the poor prisoner. Trenck feels as if his wretched prison-cell was now
changed into the atelier of an artist."

Amelia was silent and pressed the cup tenderly to her lips; the stranger
did not regard her, but continued his recital quietly.

"An officer of the garrison told me all this, your highness, when he
sold me this cup. They make no secret of their admiration and affection
for Trenck; they know they would be severely punished if the higher
authorities discovered that they allowed Trenck any privileges or
alleviations, but they boast of it and consider it a humane action."

"May God reward them for it!" sighed Amelia. "I will buy this cup, sir.
I do not wish to be behind the ladies of Magdeburg, and as it is the
mode to possess a cup engraved by Trenck, I will take this. Name your
price."

The jeweller was silent for a moment, then said:

"Pardon me, your highness, I dare not sell you this cup, or rather I
implore your highness not to desire it. If possible, I will make it an
instrument for Trenck's release."

"How can this be done?" said Amelia, breathlessly.

"I will take this cup to General Riedt, the Austrian ambassador in
Berlin. As all the world is interesting itself for Trenck, I do not
see why I should not do the same, and endeavor to obtain his release.
I shall therefore go to General Riedt with this cup. I am told he is
a noble gentleman and a distant relation of Trenck; he cannot fail
to sympathize with his unfortunate cousin. When he hears of his cruel
sufferings he will certainly strive to deliver him. General Riedt is
exactly the man to effect this great object; he is thoroughly acquain