epresentations of his true supporters, and
not neglect the favorable moment which for him, perhaps, may never
occur again.'

'I will do what I can,' answered Koepstorf, shrugging his shoulders and
going in.

There stood the well disposed warriors, patiently waiting to ascertain
if the young prince would stoop to take the crown which they were
desirous of laying at his feet. The valet-de-chambre was gone a long
time. The cold morning wind blew keenly from the direction of Sweden,
and they wrapped themselves close in their mantles. At length they
heard the trampling of horses near them, and a troop of some ten
horsemen trotted hastily by them and took the way towards Stroemstadt.

'Do you know what that means?' asked Kolfaert of the general. 'It is
colonel Baumgardt, who, by the command of the fieldmarshal, goes to
meet and arrest the baron von Goertz.'

'Right!' cried Duecker with bitterness. 'A crime more or less, is of no
consequence, when a crown is to be usurped, and it is highly politic to
rob the prince of his best supporters. He is, however, little troubled
by all this, as it seems, and will perhaps patiently wait until he is
himself arrested in his own quarters.'

The valet-de-chambre now again came out. 'My exertions have not been
successful,' said he despondingly. 'I have placed the whole subject
before the prince, but have not obtained a favorable hearing. He merely
allows me to say to your excellency that he cannot speak with any
person now.'

Great dissatisfaction was expressed by the whole company, and Duecker
angrily stamped his foot. 'It is a pity we have taken so much pains and
incurred so much danger,' said he. 'Nothing indeed now remains for us
but obedience, as I have no desire to set my gray head upon a cast for
an ungrateful man. Bear to my regiments the order for their departure,'
said he to his adjutant, and, cursing and swearing by the way, he
returned to his quarters.

Oppressed with concern for the father of his beloved, Arwed followed
the general. 'Grant me one request,' said he urgently as they entered
the quarters of the latter. 'There will now be very little to do here
in the way of fighting, and my presence is no longer necessary. Procure
me a furlough to ride back to Stockholm.'

'To Stockholm?' asked Duecker, startled. 'Now, directly? For what
purpose, captain? Do you wish to become one of the wheels in the
machinery of politics which are now destructively working in opposition