ghed and bought by the Government at their actual
bullion value. He then began the issue of a new series of coins
approximating though still below their face value, and published another
letter, this time acknowledging that he had repudiated the "klippings,"
but asserting that the step was taken to comply with a suggestion made
him by the people.[93]

Late in March Gustavus received a note from Fredrik requesting a further
postponement of the congress till May 15. As the Vend Cities were to be
present, Gustavus answered that he would communicate with Lubeck, and so
soon as he had word from her would give a definite reply. He then
despatched the Danish monarch's letter to Bishop Brask. The answer of
that prelate was full of wisdom. "I marvel much," wrote Brask, "that his
Grace should call a congress of these three realms without first
consulting you.... He must be well aware that you cannot be present on
so short notice, especially since he knows that you are about to make an
expedition against Gotland. His real purpose, I suspect, is to induce
you to postpone your expedition." In this surmise the shrewd bishop
doubtless was correct. Fredrik, though satisfied that Sweden should go
to great expense in preparing for an expedition against Gotland, was
reluctant to see her armies actually land upon the isle, lest his own
claims to Gotland might thereby be lost. It seemed to him that Norby,
terrified by the armaments of Sweden, might be induced to go to Denmark
and yield the isle to him. He therefore wrote to Sweden, requesting that
the pirate be given a safe-conduct through the land. But the army was
already in the field, and Gustavus answered firmly that he would not
comply with the request. To this answer he was induced partly by a
suspicion that Denmark was already furnishing supplies to Norby.[94]

On the 8th of May Gustavus despatched his fleet, eight thousand strong,
to Gotland. The command he gave to a German adventurer who has already
figured in this story as Berent von Mehlen. This person, after breaking
faith with his former master, Christiern, had married a cousin of
Gustavus, and had become a trusted counsellor of the king. By what
traits he became attractive in his monarch's eyes it is at this day
difficult to conceive. Certainly as a general he knew as little as any
general possibly could know. Again and again he had been given
opportunity to display his warlike power, but thus far in every instance
he had fai