erstand you. Every one
is the moulder of his own happiness, and woe unto him who neglects to
forge the iron while it is hot!"

Baron Weingarten felt each of these words. He did not know if they were
uttered by human lips, or if they came from the depths of his own base
soul.

"It is true, it is true!" he cried, in a frightened voice, "He is a fool
who does not seize the hand of Fortune when tendered by the laughing
goddess--a fool who does not break his fetters when he has the power
to rend them. Come, gentlemen! We take the testimony, and when that is
done, I will conduct you to our ambassador, Baron Puebla."

"Not so--when that is done, we shall depart with post-haste; you alone
shall receive thanks and recompense. Now to work!"

CHAPTER VII. THE KING AND WEINGARTEN.

The king paced his room hastily; he was very pale, his lip trembled, and
his eyes sparkled angrily.

He suddenly remained standing before the Austrian secretary of legation,
and gazed long and earnestly into his face, but his glance, before which
so many had trembled, was sustained by the secretary with so quiet and
innocent a countenance that it deceived even the king.

"I see that you are convinced of the truth of what you tell me."
the king said at last. "You really believe that this madman has the
intention of murdering me?"

"I am convinced of it, sire," replied Weingarten, humbly, "for I have
the proof of his intention in my hand."

"The proof--what proof?"

"This paper which I allowed myself to hand to your majesty, and which
you laid upon the table without reading."

"Ah, it is true! I forgot that in my excitement," said the king, mildly.
"I beg you to read me the contents of this paper."

Baron Weingarten received the paper from the king with a respectful bow;
his voice did not tremble in the least as he read the important words
which refined malice and cruel avarice had written there--words which,
if literally interpreted, would fully condemn Trenck.

The words were:

"'In consequence of a bet, I pledge myself to be in Konigsberg the
same day in which the King Frederick of Prussia, my cruel enemy and
persecutor, shall arrive there. I shall go there to do, in the king's
presence, that which no one has done before me, and which no one will
do after me. If I do not succeed in accomplishing my purpose, or if I
should be arrested, I have lost my bet, and shall owe Baron Waltz one
hundred louis d'or, which must be paid him b