layed."

"Where does her Royal Highness go each Thursday evening, accompanied by
her eternal cuirassiers, von Mitter and Scharfenstein?"

"Where but to see her old nurse Elizabeth? But two men will not be
enough. Von Mitter and Scharfenstein--"

"Will as usual remain at the carriage. But what's to prevent the men
from gaining entrance by the rear?--carrying off her Highness that way,
passing through the alley and making off, to be a mile away before the
cuirassiers even dream of the attempt?"

"After all, I'd rather the duchess."

"We can not all be kings and queens." Johann got up and slapped Stuler
familiarly on the shoulder. "Forget not the gold, the yellow gold;
little heaps of it to finger, to count, and to spend."

Stuler's eyes gleamed phosphorescently. There was the strain of the
ancient marauder in his veins; gold easily gotten. He opened the door,
and Johann passed out, swaying. The wine was taking hold of him. He
turned into the hall, while Stuler busied himself with the spigots.
Some one discovered the spy, and called him by name; it was caught up by
others, and there were numerous calls for a speech.

As a socialist Johann was well known about the lower town. Besides, five
years gone, he himself had been a student and a brother of freedom. He
had fought a dozen successful duels, and finally had been expelled from
the university for beating a professor who had objected to his conduct
in the presence of ladies. Other ill reports added to his popularity.
To be popular in this whimsical world of ours, one has either to be very
good or very bad. Johann was not unwilling to speak. Stuler had given
him the cue; the cuirassiers. His advice was secretly to arm and hold
in readiness. As this was the substance of the other speeches, Johann
received his meed of applause.

"And let us not forget the bulldog; let us kill him, too," cried one
of the auditors; "the prodigal bulldog, who has lived on our fatted
calves."

This was unanimously adopted. The bulldog was not understood; and he
smacked of the English. Then, too, the bulldog roamed too freely in the
royal enclosures; and, until late years, trespassers fared badly. The
students considered that their privileges extended everywhere; the dog,
not being conversant with these privileges, took that side which in law
is called the benefit of a doubt.

After his speech Johann retired to the bar-room. What he desired most of
all was a replenished purse. Popular