KING.

Grumbkow, you might casually inquire what sort of a favor it is he
wants.

HOTHAM.

General--

GRUMBKOW.

Baronet Hotham.

HOTHAM.

If His Majesty should seem inclined, out of the nobility of his heart,
to make amends for the cruel manner in which he has just dismissed an
ardent admirer of his military greatness, then tell him that I know of a
finely-built, strong young man, a close friend of mine, of good family,
who would deem it an honor to serve up from the ranks under His
Majesty's glorious flag.

KING.

Grumbkow, you may tell Baronet Hotham that his personality and manner
have pleased me greatly, and that I most heartily wish all Englishmen
were of his sort. In the matter of the young man, you may ask him if the
recruit will furnish his own equipment.

HOTHAM.

Kindly state, General, that the young man will take service in His
Majesty's army, fully equipped according to regulations, his hair and
his heart in the right place, and that he furthermore brings with him a
neat little inheritance of his own.

KING (_more and more pleased_).

Quite what one might expect from a born Englishman. Grumbkow, ask the
Baronet whether the young man, who is doubtless destined to introduce
Prussian tactics into England, would serve better on foot or to horse.

HOTHAM.

He begs for a place with the Dragoons of the Guard in Potsdam.

KING.

Potsdam? That won't do. They all want to serve in the Guard. No--no....
But he can--for a while, at least--join the Glasenapp Musketiers in
Pasewalk. That's a fine regiment, too.

HOTHAM.

Please express my sincere thanks to His Majesty. The young recruit will
have the honor to present himself personally to His Majesty in a few
days.

KING.

Grumbkow, suppose we offered Baronet Hotham, as a sign of our
friendship, a position as recruiting officer?

HOTHAM.

He would decline this honor, but he would beg another favor.

KING.

And that is--?

HOTHAM.

In all journals, in all records of travel, we read of a certain
gathering in Berlin which goes beyond anything an Englishman can imagine
in the way of clubs or private affairs.

KING.

Dear me--our police permit that sort of thing in Berlin? Really, I am
most curious.

HOTHAM.

A certain genial personage gathers around him several times weekly, in a
small, low-ceilinged room in the palace, a small but select circle of
men on whom be bestows his confidence. Sitting on wooden stools, often
in the