entleman at
last, "and being unavoidably deprived of documents, it would be
difficult, it would be impossible, to do justice to the somewhat grave
occurrences which have transpired."

"I will not criticise your attitude," replied the Prince. "I desire
that, between you and me, all should be done gently; for I have not
forgotten, my old friend, that you were kind to me from the first, and
for a period of years a faithful servant. I will thus dismiss the
matters on which you waive immediate inquiry. But you have certain
papers actually in your hand. Come, Herr Greisengesang, there is at
least one point for which you have authority. Enlighten me on that."

"On that?" cried the old gentleman. "O, that is a trifle; a matter, your
Highness, of police; a detail of a purely administrative order. These
are simply a selection of the papers seized upon the English traveller."

"Seized?" echoed Otto. "In what sense? Explain yourself."

"Sir John Crabtree," interposed Gotthold, looking up, "was arrested
yesterday evening."

"Is this so, Herr Cancellarius?" demanded Otto sternly.

"It was judged right, your Highness," protested Greisengesang. "The
decree was in due form, invested with your Highness's authority by
procuration. I am but an agent; I had no status to prevent the measure."

"This man, my guest, has been arrested," said the Prince. "On what
grounds, sir? With what colour of pretence?"

The Chancellor stammered.

"Your Highness will perhaps find the reason in these documents," said
Gotthold, pointing with the tail of his pen.

Otto thanked his cousin with a look. "Give them to me," he said,
addressing the Chancellor.

But that gentleman visibly hesitated to obey. "Baron von Gondremark," he
said, "has made the affair his own. I am in this case a mere messenger;
and as such, I am not clothed with any capacity to communicate the
documents I carry. Herr Doctor, I am convinced you will not fail to bear
me out."

"I have heard a great deal of nonsense," said Gotthold, "and most of it
from you; but this beats all."

"Come, sir," said Otto, rising, "the papers. I command."

Herr Greisengesang instantly gave way.

"With your Highness's permission," he said, "and laying at his feet my
most submiss apologies, I will now hasten to attend his further orders
in the Chancery."

"Herr Cancellarius, do you see this chair?" said Otto. "There is where
you shall attend my further orders. Oh, now, no more!" he cried, with a