he rocket before it dropped
perpendicular:--

JULY 6th, complete OPEN-SESAME having come, Freytag and Schmidt duly
invited Voltaire to be present at the opening of seals (his and theirs),
and to have his moneys and effects returned from that "old trunk" he
speaks of. But Voltaire had by this time taken a higher flight. July
6th, Voltaire was protesting before Notaries, about the unheard-of
violence done him, the signal reparations due; and disdained, for the
moment, to concern himself with moneys or opening of seals: "Seals,
moneys? Ye atrocious Highwaymen!"

Upon which, they sent poor Dorn with the sealed trunk in CORPORE, to
have it opened by Voltaire himself. Collini, in THE BILLY-GOAT,
next morning (July 7th)) says, he (Collini) had just loaded two
journey-pistols, part of the usual carriage-furniture, and they lay on
the table. At sight of poor Dorn darkening his chamber-door, Voltaire,
the prey of various flurries and high-flown vehemences, snatched one of
the pistols ("pistol without powder, without flint, without lock," says
Voltaire; "efficient pistol just loaded", testifies Collini);--snatched
said pistol; and clicking it to the cock, plunged Dorn-ward, with
furious exclamations: not quite unlikely to have shot Dorn (in the
fleshy parts),--had not Collini hurriedly struck up his hand, "MON DIEU,
MONSIEUR!" and Dorn, with trunk, instantly vanished. Dorn, naturally,
ran to a Lawyer. Voltaire, dreading Trial for intended Homicide,
instantly gathered himself; and shot away, self and Pucelle with
Collini, clear off;--leaving Niece Denis, leaving moneys and other
things, to wait till to-morrow, and settle as they could.

After due lapse of days, in the due legal manner, the Trunk was opened;
"the 19 pounds of expenses" (19 pounds and odd shillings, not 100 pounds
or more, as Voltaire variously gives it) was accurately taken from it
by Schmidt and Freytag, to be paid where due,--(in exact liquidation,
"Landlord of THE BILLY-GOAT" so much, "Hackney-Coachmen, Riding
Constables sent in chase," so much, as per bill);--and the rest, 76
pounds 10s. was punctually locked up again, till Voltaire should apply
for it. "Send it after him," Friedrich answered, when inquired of; "send
it after him; but not [reflects he] unless there is somebody to take his
Receipt for it,"--our gentleman being the man he is. Which case, or any
application from Voltaire, never turned up. "Robbed by those highwaymen
of Prussian Agents!" exclaime