answered Frederick, smiling, and pointing to the string which
had served to bind the baron's papers. "You have forgotten something,
my lord, and I do not like to enrich myself with others' property."
[Footnote: Historical. The king's words.--See Hormayr.]

Baron von Thugut took this last well-aimed stab of his royal opponent
somewhat embarrassed, and hastened to pick up the string, and withdraw.

CHAPTER XX. THE KING AND THE LOVER.

The king smiled, glancing at the retreating figure of the baron, and
approached the window to peep through the little green glass panes to
see him as he passed by.

"A sly fox," said he, smiling, "but I will prove to him that we
understand fox-hunting, and are not deceived by cunning feints."

"Will your majesty really break up to-day?" asked Von Herzberg, upon
returning.

"Yes, my dear minister. That is to say, I do not wish to, but I must, in
order to give the negotiations for peace a war-like character. The enemy
asks for delay to finish their preparations for war--not peace. The
negotiations for the latter emanate from the empress, but the conditions
concerning Anspach come from the emperor. It is the Eris-apple, which
he casts upon the table, by which his imperial mother and I would
gladly smoke the pipe of peace. It is incumbent upon you, Herzberg, to
negotiate for peace, while I pick up the apple and balance it a little
upon the point of my sword. I shall leave early to-morrow, but I would
speak with you before I set out. You must be weary with the journey, so
rest awhile now, then dine with me, and afterward go to the conference."

"Sire, will you not receive my protege, Conrector Moritz?"

"Did you not say that he begged for a secret audience?"

"Yes, sire, he has for this purpose travelled the long distance from
Berlin, and I assure your majesty, upon my word of honor, that I have
not the least suspicion what his petition may be."

"Eh bien, say to your protege that I grant him the sought-for interview
on your account, Herzberg. You are such a curious fellow--you are always
petitioning for others instead of yourself, and the benefits which you
ought to receive go to them. Let Moritz enter, and then try to sleep a
little, that you may be wide awake to confer with Baron von Thugut."

Minister von Herzberg withdrew, and immediately the pale, earnest face
of Conrector Philip Moritz appeared in the royal presence.

The king regarded him with a prolonged and searchin