card-players,
from some of whom he could win, and from others borrow a few louis d'or.
Besides this, since the return of the king, Pollnitz had voluntarily
taken up his old trade of spy, and informed Frederick of all he saw and
heard at court; for this, from time to time, he demanded a small reward.

"Curious idea," he said, as, puffing and blowing, he clambered up the
terrace. "Curious idea to live in this wearisome desert, when he has
respectable and comfortable castles in the midst of the city, and on a
level plain. One might truly think that the king, even in life, wishes
to draw nearer to heaven, and withdraws from the children of man, to
pray and prepare himself for paradise."

The baron laughed aloud; it seemed to him a droll idea to look at the
king as a prayerful hermit. This conception amused him, and gave him
strength to go onward more rapidly, and he soon reached the upper
platform of the terrace, upon which the castle stood. Without
difficulty, he advanced to the antechamber, but there stood Deesen, and
forbade him entrance to the king.

"His majesty holds a cabinet council," said he, "and it is expressly
commanded to allow no one to enter."

"Then I will force an entrance," said Pollnitz, stepping boldly to the
door. "I must speak to his majesty; I have something most important to
communicate."

"I think it cannot be more important than that which now occupies the
king's attention," said the intrepid Deesen. "I am commanded to allow no
one to enter; I shall obey the order of the king."

"I am resolved to enter," said Pollnitz, in a loud voice; but Deesen
spread his broad figure threateningly before the door. An angry dispute
arose, and Pollnitz made his screeching voice resound so powerfully,
he might well hope the king would hear him, and in this he was not
deceived; the king heard and appeared at once upon the threshold.

"Pollnitz," said he, "you are and will always be an incorrigible fool;
you are crowing as loud as a Gallic cock, who is declaring war against
my people. I have made peace with the Gauls, mark that, and do not dare
again to crow so loud. What do you want? Do your creditors wish to cast
you in prison, or do you wish to inform me that you have become a Jew,
and wish to accept some lucrative place as Rabbi?"

"No, sire, I remain a reformed Christian, and my creditors will never
take the trouble to arrest me; they know that would avail nothing. I
come on most grave and important mat