rom house to house, from street to
street, and even reached the major's door, who, in spite of the lateness
of the hour, called a meeting of the magistrates, and sent policemen to
all the hotels to demand a list of the strangers who had arrived during
the last few days. In order to greet the king, they must first find him.

Early the next morning, a simple caleche, with two horses, stood at
the hotel of the "Black Raven." The brothers Zoller were about to leave
Amsterdam, and, to Madame Blaken's astonishment, they not only paid
their bill without murmuring, but left a rich douceur for the servants.
The hostess stepped to the door to bid them farewell, and nodded kindly
as they came down the steps. Their servant followed with the little
carpet-bag and the two music-cases.

When Deesen became aware of the presence of the hostess, and the two
head-servants, he advanced near to the king.

"Your majesty, may I now speak?" he murmured.

"Not yet," said the king, smiling, "wait until we are in the carriage."

He descended the steps, with a friendly nod to the hostess. Balby and
himself left the house.

"See, my friend, how truly I prophesied," he said, as he pointed down
the street; "let us get in quickly, it is high time to be off; see the
crowd advancing."

Frederick was right; from the end of the street there came a long
procession of men, headed by the two mayors, dressed in black robes,
trimmed with broad red bands. They were followed by the senators,
clothed in the same manner. A great number of the rich aristocrats of
the city accompanied them.

Madame Blaken had stepped from the house, and was looking curiously at
the approaching crowd, and while she and her maids were wondering what
this could mean, the two Mr. Zollers entered the carriage, and their
servant had mounted the box. "May I speak now?" said Deesen, turning to
the king.

"Yes, speak," said the king, "but quickly, or the crowd will take your
secret from you."

"Hostess!" cried Deesen, from the box, "do you know what that crowd
means?"

"No," she said, superciliously.

"I will explain; listen, madame. The magistrates are coming to greet the
King of Prussia!"

"The King of Prussia!" shrieked the hostess. "Where is the King of
Prussia?"

"Here!" cried Deesen, with a malicious grin, as he pointed to the king,
"and I am his majesty's cabinet-hussar! Forward, postilion!--quick,
forward!"

The postilion whipped his horses, and the carriage dash