t had been destroyed, with all these gold and silver ingots, these
diamonds and silver ware, money and papers, all the Exchanges of
Europe would have felt the disastrous consequences.

At last, all these treasures were stowed away, and Gotzkowsky
addressed himself to rest, when the door of his room was suddenly
opened, and General von Bachmann entered hastily.

"Gotzkowsky," said he, "I have come with important intelligence, and
to redeem the promise I made to my friend Sievers." Approaching more
closely to Gotzkowsky, he said to him in an undertone: "General von
Tottleben has just received orders to destroy and burn all royal
factories and mills."

Gotzkowsky turned pale, and inquired with horror, "Why this barbarous
proceeding?"

General Bachmann shrugged his shoulders. "It is the order of the
commander-in-chief, Count von Fermore," said he; "and Tottleben will
have to be all the more particular from the fact that, instead of the
arsenal, fifty of our soldiers were blown into the air. Here, in the
mean while, take this paper, and see whether, among the factories to
be destroyed, one of yours has been included by mistake."

Gotzkowsky looked over the list with dismay. "Did not your excellency
say that only royal factories were to be destroyed?"

"Yes, so runs the order."

"But the factories that stand on this list are not royal institutions.
The brass-works in Eberwalde, the gold and silver factories, and the
warehouse in Berlin, do not belong to the king, and are they going to
be so barbarous as to destroy them? That cannot be. I will hasten to
General Tottleben, and entreat him to revoke this cruel order."

General Bachmann shook his head sadly. "I am afraid it will be in
vain," said he. "Besides, you incur great risk in your undertaking.
The general is in a very angry, excited mood, and your intercession
will only increase his bitterness and anger."

"I fear not his anger," cried Gotzkowsky boldly. "If no one else dares
to tell him the truth, I will do it; and with argument and entreaty
compel him to be humane, and to respect the property of others. Come,
sir, let us go to General Tottleben!"

"No, sir. I am not going with you," said Bachmann, laughing. "I am
not a man to tremble on the eve of battle, and yet I fear to meet
Tottleben's angry looks. In his wrath he is like a Jupiter Tonans,
ready to launch his thunderbolts, and dash to pieces all who approach
him."

"I am not afraid of his thunder!" cri