ted
with all the by-ways and intrigues of the court of Vienna. Maria Theresa
classes him among her most trusted confidants and friends. Whoever
desires to free Trenck must consult with General Riedt and win him."

Amelia raised her head and looked up quickly at the stranger; his eyes
were fixed upon her with a searching and significant expression; their
glances met and were steadily fixed for one moment, then a scarcely
perceptible smile flitted over the face of the jeweller, and the
princess nodded her head. Each felt that they were understood.

"Have you nothing more to say?" said Amelia.

"No, your highness, I have only to beg you will pardon me for not
selling you this cup. I must take it to General Riedt."

"Leave it with me," said Amelia, after a few moments' reflection. "I
myself will show it to him and seek to interest him in the fate of his
unhappy relative. If I succeed, the cup is mine, and you will not wish
to sell it to General Riedt Do you agree to this? Go, then, and return
to me at this hour to-morrow, when I will either pay you the price of
the cup, or return it to you, if I am so unhappy as to fail."

The jeweller bowed profoundly. "I will punctually obey your highness's
commands. To-morrow at this hour I will be here."

The stranger took his casket and left the room. The princess gazed after
him till the door closed.

"That man is silent and discreet, I believe he can be trusted," she
murmured. "I will write at once, and desire an interview with General
Riedt."

CHAPTER VI. THE PRINCESS AND THE DIPLOMATIST.

An hour later the page of the princess announced General von Riedt,
Austrian ambassador at the court of Berlin. Amelia advanced to meet
him, and gazed with a sharp, piercing glance at the general, who bowed
respectfully before her.

"I have sent for you, general," said the princess, "to repair an injury.
You have been announced twice, and both times I declined receiving you."

"That was no injury, your royal highness," said the general, smiling. "I
ventured to call on you because etiquette demands that a new ambassador
should introduce himself to every member of the royal house. Your royal
highness declined to receive me, it was not agreeable, and you were
perfectly justifiable in closing your doors against me."

"And now you must wonder why I have sent for you?"

"I never allow myself to wonder. Your order for me to come has made me
happy--that is sufficient."

"You have