him warmly for this information, but inwardly it
grated upon him. A suspicion that one of his servant's was in Pranken's
pay, was confirmed. The Pole, to whom Pranken always spoke so
pleasantly, must be the man, and he should leave the house.

Sonnenkamp whistled inaudibly, only from the position of his lips could
it be seen that he was whistling.

The Justice considered it his duty to permit no attack on the doctor,
inasmuch as he was the official district-physician; their positions
called for mutual support. After he had defended the doctor from any
harsh judgment, while Pranken continually stroked his beard and
mustache, he gave the conversation a turn by saying:--

"Herr von Pranken had the best intentions in recommending him, but
might I express my opinion of the young man?"

Sonnenkamp replied that he should attach much weight to the opinion of
the Justice. This was the moment when the strategic movement ought to
be made. Pranken set himself more firmly on his chair, and cheered the
Justice on to the charge, crying,--

"Explain yourself clearly. I ought to reproach myself for not having
considered that any connection with this young man would be looked upon
as a disrespect to the supreme authorities, even as an act of
hostility."

"Allow me," answered the Justice, with a tone and manner as if he were
in the court-room, remanding the accused into custody, "allow me to
keep within the limits which it behooves me to observe."

Pranken was beside himself with this Justice; this little,
insignificant, almost impotent mannikin maintained a deportment which
was quite incomprehensible. Pranken had expected that he would work
Sonnenkamp into a state of great excitement, and would give him an
indelible impression of the hatred of the court towards Eric, and what
really came? An exceedingly mild, most prudently-weighed, amicable
consideration.

The Justice had called Eric a dangerous person considered only as a
man, as a member of society. He said he did not know how rightly to
express himself; he had meant it only in a moral sense; but he
immediately took back the word _moral_, for Eric was known to be a
highly moral man. And when he now came to the question whether, through
any association with Eric, one would draw upon himself the displeasure
of the court, a mild and benignant loyalty beamed from the countenance
of the little man.

"The princes of our line," said he, "are not vindictive, but, on the
contrary,