t, as with dignified earnestness the
minister motioned him to desist from his intention, he withdrew his
hand, and leaned against a window in silent despair at witnessing the
perpetration of a wrong which he had not power to prevent.

'In the name of the king?' asked Goertz, after a long pause, unbuckling
his sword; 'that word is a falsehood! From Charles I might expect any
thing rather than the offering up of his truest friend. This destiny is
not decreed by him! Nevertheless I see that I must yield to necessity.
Take my sword! I have long expected something of the kind. It is the
reward for all the service I have rendered to the crown of Sweden!'

'The right reward yet awaits you at Stockholm!' said colonel Baumgardt
with bitterness. Then turned he to Arwed and roughly asked him, 'how
came you here, captain Gyllenstierna!'

'From Stockholm,' answered the latter: 'whither I accompanied colonel
Brenner as a courier, and am upon my return to the camp.'

'And you have deserted your superior officer?' asked Baumgardt in
reply: 'and we find you in the carriage with Goertz. That is
suspicious!'

'It was but a moment before you met us,' hastily interposed Goertz,
'that the captain first overtook me, bringing me a message from my
daughter. His horse now stands without, tied to mine.'

Baumgardt walked to the window, as if to ascertain the truth of the
assertion.

'If you, however, yet think the affair suspicious, colonel,' cried
Arwed, vehemently, 'I propose to you to take me as a prisoner, together
with the minister, to Stockholm. Then will you at least be secured
against the imputation of having acted with too great mildness.'

'That would be perhaps very agreeable to you,' answered Baumgardt,
scornfully. 'But I am not accustomed to receive directions from
subalterns, and prudence requires that I should pursue a course
directly opposite to that proposed by a suspected person. It is
desirable rather, to ensure your safe return to the camp. Myself, with
lieutenant colonel Bioernskioeld will accompany you there. Adjutant
general Rosenhahn and lieutenant Loewen with their followers will
proceed to Stockholm with the prisoner, and thus each one of us will be
in his right place.'

Arwed gnashed his teeth at this injurious treatment, but the iron chain
of subordination held the young lion fast bound, and he remained
silent.

'Forward, Herr von Goertz,' cried the adjutant general, pointing
towards the door.

'Farewell