spendthrift, and this gold, which you have earned honestly,
will soon be wasted in boundless follies. It is my duty, as your
conscientious master and friend, to prevent this. I cannot allow you to
take all of this money--only one-half; only three louis d'or. I will put
the other three with the sum which I still hold, and take care of it for
you."

With an appearance of firm principle and piety, he grasped the three
louis d'or upon which the sighing John fixed his tearful eyes.

"And now, what is the amount," said Pollnitz, gravely, "which you have
placed in my hands for safe-keeping?"

"Thirty-two thalers, fourteen groschen, and five pennies," said John;
"and then the fractions from the three louis d'ors makes a thaler and
eight groschen."

"Pitiful miser! You dare to reckon fractions against your master,
who, in his magnanimity, has just presented, you with gold! This is a
meanness which merits exemplary punishment."

CHAPTER II. TRENCK ON HIS WAY TO PRISON.

Before the palace of the Duke of Wurtemberg, in Coslin, stood the light,
open carriage in which the duke was accustomed to make excursions, when
inclined to carry the reins himself, and enjoy freedom and the pure,
fresh air, without etiquette and ceremony.

To-day, however, the carriage was not intended for an ordinary
excursion, but to transport a prisoner. This prisoner was no other than
the unhappy Frederick Trenck, whom the cowardly republic of Dantzic,
terrified at the menaces of the king, had delivered up to the Prussian
police.

The intelligence of his unhappy fate flew like a herald before him.
He was guarded by twelve hussars, and the sad procession was received
everywhere throughout the journey with kindly sympathy. All exerted
themselves to give undoubted proofs of pity and consideration. Even
the officers in command, who sat by him in the carriage, and who were
changed at every station, treated him as a loved comrade in arms, and
not as a state prisoner.

But while all sighed and trembled for him, Trenck alone was gay; his
countenance alone was calm and courageous. Not one moment, during the
three days he passed in the palace of the duke, was his youthful and
handsome face clouded by a single shadow. Not one moment did that happy,
cheerful manner, by which he won all hearts, desert him. At the table,
he was the brightest and wittiest; his amusing narratives, anecdotes,
and droll ideas made not only the duke, but the duchess and her m