packet into the duke's own hands.
I will then allow you a day's rest for yourself and horse; your return
must be equally rapid. If you are here again in eight days, I will
reward you royally."

"That is to say, your excellency--" said John, in breathless
expectation.

"That is to say, I will pay you half the sum I owe you, if you are here
in eight days; if you are absent longer, you will get only a third."

"And if I return a day earlier?" Said John, sighing.

"I will give you a few extra thalers as a reward," said Pollnitz.

"But your excellency will, besides this, give me money for the journey,"
said John, timidly.

"Miserable, shameless beggar!" Cried Pollnitz; "always demanding more
than one is willing to accord you. Learn from your noble master that
there is nothing more pitiful, more sordid than gold, and that those
only are truly noble, who serve others for honor's sake, and give no
thought to reward."

"But, your grace, I have already the honor to have lent you all my
money. I have not even a groschen to buy food for myself and horse on
our journey."

"As for your money, sir, it is, under all circumstances, much safer with
me than with you. You would surely spend it foolishly, while I will
keep it together. Besides this, there is no other way to make servants
faithful and submissive but to bind them to you by the miserable bond of
selfishness. You would have left me a hundred times, if you had not been
tied down by your own pitiful interests. You know well that if you leave
me without my permission, the law allows me to punish you, by giving the
money I owe you to the poor. But enough of foolish talking! Make ready
for the journey; in half an hour you must leave Berlin behind you. I
will give you a few thalers to buy food. Now, hasten! Remember, if you
remain away longer than eight days, I will give you only a third of the
money I am keeping for you."

This terrible threat had its effect upon poor John.

In eight days Pollnitz sought the princess, and with a triumphant
glance, slipped a letter into her hand, which read thus:

"I thank you, princess, that you have remembered me, and given me an
opportunity to aid the unhappy. You are right. God made man to be free.
I am no jailer, and my officers are not constables. They have, indeed,
the duty to conduct the unhappy man who has been for three days the
guest of my house, farther on toward the fortress, but his feet and his
hands shall be free, and i