f, but rather in order to
do something towards removing it, we have written to America for
information about a certain Herr Sonnenkamp. We have hitherto been
silent, and we should have been silent longer and forever, out of
regard for the children of this outcast, for they do not deserve to
bear the load of guilt. We are no friends of the nobility: we regard
this institution as of the past and as dead; but the nobles are our
German fellow-citizens, also, and a part of our nation. As citizens,
merely, we have no power to thrust out a man from our community, and we
should have felt obliged to let this man alone; but now, we are ready
to furnish the evidence that the man who calls himself Sonnenkamp, and
lives at Villa Eden, has been one of the most merciless slave-traders
and slave-murderers. Then proceed, O German nobles, and ennoble
him,--give him a coat-of-arms. The heralds of our editorial office
recommend as a device----"

"Stop!" screamed out the Ensign, for Roland had fallen senseless from
his chair.

He was carried out of the room, and restored to consciousness.
Fortunately, a carriage now drove up, from which Pranken got out.
Roland was lifted into it, and they drove to the hotel.

Shaking with a fever fit, and wrapped up in a soldier's cloak, Roland
sat in one corner of the carriage. He would occasionally open his eyes,
and then close them again.

Pranken told him that he ought to despise the world, but Roland was
silent; once only he heaved a deep sigh and exclaimed,--

"O Eric!" They reached the hotel. Joseph was waiting before the door.
The first word that Roland spoke was a request to be left alone. He
went up the steps with Joseph.

"You are to go to your father," said Joseph.

Roland nodded, but when he had gone up-stairs he hastened to his room
and locked the door.

Joseph went to Sonnenkamp and told him that Roland had returned.

"He is to come to me," he said.

"He has locked himself in."

"Has he his pistols with him?"

"No, I have them with me."

Sonnenkamp went to Roland's room and knocked; but there was no answer.
He begged and entreated Roland to answer him, but Roland made no sound.

"If you do not open immediately, I will shoot myself before your door!"
cried Sonnenkamp.

Pranken, who was with him, said:--

"Roland! Roland! will you be guilty of the death of your father?"

"Open! open!" moaned Sonnenkamp before the door.

The bolt was drawn back, and Roland stood rigid, lo