to each other? You appear to me to be much too honest-hearted for
that.'

'From Charles's best friend I will conceal nothing,' said Arwed
resolutely. 'According to my calculation Goertz must now either be in
Stockholm or will soon arrive there. I would warn that true servant of
our late king, that he may be able to escape from the hands of his
revengeful enemies.'

'For which thought may heaven reward you!' cried Duecker, 'but I fear
the issue. In the first place, the prince of Hesse is your chief, and
it will be difficult to procure from him the desired permission, and
secondly, you will hardly be able to outstrip the speed of the officers
already under way for the arrest of Goertz.'

'Obtain me but the permission, general,' persisted Arwed: 'the rest
shall be my care. I ride a Norman of unequalled speed and bottom.'

'I will make the effort,' said Duecker; 'but hardly hope for success.
Since Charles's death I am only the _late_ Duecker, and my influence
has become a shadow.'

He had proceeded as far as the door when he was met by colonel Brenner.
'I come to take leave of you, my old friend,' said the latter, heartily
embracing the general. 'I go this moment with post-horses to the
capital.'

'Every body seems to wish to go to Stockholm tonight,' said Duecker.
'What hast thou to ask there?'

'His royal highness the prince of Hesse, as he already suffers himself
to be called,' answered Brenner ironically, 'has already sent forward
his beloved and trusty Siquier with the mournful news. It might
afterwards, however, have occurred to him that it would not seem
exactly proper to leave the communication of so important an event to
the equivocal Frenchman. Wherefore must an honorable Swede follow him
as the messenger of death; and as I might perhaps be troublesome here,
I am in mercy selected for that duty.'

'Will you do me a pleasure and take the captain with you?' said
Duecker. 'He has a sudden and urgent call to Stockholm, and may not in
any other way be able to obtain leave of absence.'

'The prince has allowed me to choose my companion,' answered Brenner;
'and what would I not do to pleasure you? We set off directly, captain.
Farewell till happier times, my Duecker!'

He hastened forth. Arwed gratefully pressed the general's hand, who in
return drew him to his heart. 'God protect you and bless your
undertaking!' said the latter with emotion--and Arwed rushed forth in
the cold, gray dawn of the awakening m