said that I
intended writing a history, and that I took a copy of all dispatches for
my work. He would not listen to me. 'You are a traitor!' said he, in
a thundering voice. 'I have suspected you for some time; I am now
convinced of your treachery. You shall have an examination tomorrow;
for to-night you will remain a prisoner in your room.' He then locked my
desk, put the key in his pocket, and, taking with him the dispatch and
my copy, left the room. I heard him lock it and bolt my door. I was a
prisoner."

"How did you get out?" said the king.

"By the window, sire. And I flew here to throw myself at your majesty's
feet, and to beg for mercy and protection."

"I promised you protection and help in case of your detection--I will
fulfil my promise. What are your wishes. Let us see if they can be
realized."

"Will your majesty give me some sure place of refuge where Count
Puebla's threats cannot harm me?"

"You will remain here in the dwelling of the castle-warder until a
suitable residence can be found for you. What next? What plans have you
made for the future?"

"I would humbly beseech your majesty to give me some position in your
land worthy of my station, such as your highness promised me."

"You remember too many of my promises," said the king, shrugging his
shoulders.

"Your majesty will not grant me the promised position?" said Count
Weingarten, tremblingly.

"I remember no such promise," said Frederick. "Men of your stamp are
paid, but not rewarded. I have made use of your treachery; but you are,
nevertheless, in my eyes a traitor, and I will have none such in my
service."

"Then I am lost!" said Weingarten. "My honor, my good name, my future
are annihilated."

"Your honor has been weighed with gold," said the king, sternly, "and I
think I have already paid more for it than it was worth. Your good name,
it is true, will be from now changed into a bad one; and your mother
will have to blush when she uses it. Therefore I advise you to let it
go; to take another name; to begin a new existence, and to found a new
future."

"A future without honor, without name, without position!" sighed
Weingarten, despairingly.

"So are men!" said the king, softly; "insolent and stubborn when they
think themselves secure; cowardly and uncertain when they are in danger.
So you were rash enough to think that your treacherous deeds would
always remain a secret? You did not think of a possible detection, or
prepare