Frederick The Great and His Family

which all who had affairs to arrange with the Austrian ambassador, passports to vise, contracts to sign, were allowed entrance, and it was the baron's d

aristocratic independence and freedom of action. He had not entered the state service from ambition, but for money, that he might have the means of supporting his mother and unmarried sisters, and enable himself to live according to his rank and old aristocratic name. Baron Weingarten would have made any sacrifice, submitted to any service, to obtain wealth. Poverty had demoralized him, pride ha

pay him richly for his services. But the hours passed in undisturbed quiet, and Baron Weingarten was in the act

, with a smiling countenance, and wel

mselves silently; Weingarten

the ceiling, while the black, piercing eyes of the little Councillor Zetto examined

eingarten at last, putting an

with a grave bow. "And have travelled here

he secretary of le

e," said the b

g of Prussia a great servi

ng of Prussia! You forget, gentlemen, that my ser

ria and Prussia at the same time." Turning to Baron Weingarten, he said: "That which we ask of you will be at the same time a service to our

d the secretar

is crime, you will receive ten thousand guilders," said Zetto, examining Weingarten's countenance closely. He rema

revent this murder?" as

warn th

ccessfully, I m

ive the most incon

be convinced of the ve

ll convince you of their truth,"

scape Zetto. He drew forth his pocket-book, and took from

claration with this pa

y. But the next moment came doubt and suspicion. What if they were only trying him-only convincing themselves if he could be bought? Perhaps he was

nd with a firm countenance he

entlemen! That is no

ing. Placing the paper again in his pocket-book, he took out ano

us must be spies or criminals; that they were testing him, or luring

glance at the paper. "Murder is a dreadful accusation-you cannot act too carefully. You

e communicated his intentions to me,

, "that the officer had reason to believe he

e baron, smilingly. "I demand of you to warn the

ar, give all particulars, or the king will la

that the murder is to be committed when his maj

ficer cross the

r the pretence of inheriting a large property in Pr

hy does the officer wish to murder the

vengeance. This Austrian officer who is resolved to

y and troubled expression. But as his eye fell upon the weigh

hentic, and well calculated to startle even the brave king, have

lent, and looked i

th a sweet smile. "Because gold remains gold, whether recei

lt me?" cried the secreta

renck receives money from a certain aristocratic lady in Berlin. It is, therefore, most important that

least disconcerted by this statemen

the truth of the story myself, and I acknowledge to you that I am not convinced,

astily. "Well, we will prove to you that we trust you, by telling

of the pandour chieft

w the history of this pa

uncertain statement, but no

by his love of money, he became the captain of a band of robbers, then a murderer, a church-robber; from that a brave soldier, and, at last, a holy penitent. Robbing and plundering every-where, he succeeded in collecting millions. The pandour chieftain Trenck

g his shoulders. "Lending money to a noble and p

ecame Trenck's enemy. He accused him of embezzling the imperial

tained his relea

sequestered, and a body of commissioners were selected to atte

understand," mur

the riches of Trenck. He had not many treasures, but many debts. In order to liquidate those debts, we desire

en were among his credi

were, and als

renck's imprisonment. First, your salary as a me

spoke of a thre

searching for the missing treasures of Baron T

n after this Trenck died, and Frederick von Trenck hastened from St. Petersburg to receive his inheritance. How great was his astonishment to find in

marked Weingarten, mockingly. "Perhaps it would have

nd persuasion. He has already succeeded in obtaining fifty-four of

the commissioners to give in their

ed. This man had accused Trenck of having embezzled eight thousand of the imperial money, and Trenck succeeded so far, that it was declared that it was not he, but his accusers,

ck von Trenck will seize the p

, believe me, we are not the only men who wish for his disappearance. A large and powerful party hav

t beat quickly, but he suppressed these joyful emotio

inal, one who intends committing so great a crime, I am at your se

nformation?" thought Zetto, who was misled for a moment by

out to do a great service from showing their gratitude," said Bar

poken of a present, but of a payment, a bribery, and you can

aid aloud, "and we are wrong to offer you now that which hereafter will be a debt of gratitude. We will speak n

Trenck has the intention of murd

," said Zetto, with

, or be ourselves regarded as traitors and robbers. You will think it natural that we prefer the first alt

tria, gentlemen? Why could you not accuse

derick. You know that the king and Trenck are personal enemies. Trenck has boasted of this enmity often and loud enough to be understood by the whole world, and I do not believ

ng really go to Konigsberg to be p

been spo

boasted that he will enter Konigsberg at the same time w

s d'or on this boast," said Baron Waltz, "and

ou it w

e it

aper, which he seized hastily,

d calculated to ruin Trenck should it reach the hands

ocument, and you will naturally understan

arten. "Doubtlessly Baron Trenck was

andwriting, and he happily possessed origina

on Waltz. "If Trenck is arrested before he goes to Konigsberg, I have won

ree la

ing of Prussia, this bond is due, and you will then find that the commissioners are not backward in paying." Zetto laid the document upon the table. "

ed his heart, and for a moment it appeared as if hi

accusation that I must pronounce: if not condemned to death, the king will im

ear him like the evil one, and his piercing eyes rested upon

guilders is no fortune, but it may be the beginning of one-it may be the thread of Ariadne to lead you from the labyrinth of poverty to freedom and light; and who will thank you if you do not seize this thread-who recompense you for your generosity

not know if they were uttered by human lips, or

hen tendered by the laughing goddess-a fool who does not break his fetters when he has the power to rend them. Co

rt with post-haste; you alone shall rece