Baron de Trenck, on his journey to Russia, passed through Danzig, which was at that time neutral territory, bordering upon the confines of Prussia.  Here he delayed for a time in the hope of meeting with his cousin the Pandour.  During the interim he formed an intimacy with a young Prussian officer named Henry, whom he assisted lavishly with money.  Almost daily they indulged in excursions in the environs, the Prussian acting as guide.

One morning, while at his toilet, Trenck’s servant, Karl, who was devoted to him body and soul, observed: 

“Lieutenant Henry will enjoy himself thoroughly on your excursion to-morrow.”

“Why do you say that, Karl?” asked the baron.

“Because he has planned to take your honor to Langfuehr at ten o’clock.”

“At ten or eleven—­the hour is not of importance.”

“No!  You must be there on the stroke of ten by the village clock.  Langfuehr is on the Prussian border and under Prussian rule.”

“Prussia!” exclaimed Trenck, shaking his head, which Karl had not finished powdering.  “Are you quite sure?”

“Perfectly.  Eight Prussians—­non-commissioned officers and soldiers—­will be in the courtyard of the charming little inn that Lieutenant Henry described so well.  As soon as your honor crosses the threshold they will fall upon you and bear you off to a carriage which will be in waiting.”

“Finish dressing my hair, Karl,” said Trenck, recovering his wonted impassibility.

“Oh, for that matter,” continued the valet, “they will have neither muskets nor pistols.  They will be armed with swords only.  That will leave them free to fall bodily upon your honor and to prevent you using your weapon.”

“Is that all, Karl?”

“No.  There will be two soldiers detailed especially for my benefit, so that I can’t get away to give the alarm.”

“Well, is that all!”

“No.  The carriage is to convey your honor to Lavenburg, in Pomerania, and you must cross a portion of the province of Danzig to get there.  Besides the under officers at the inn who will travel with your honor, two others will accompany the carriage on horseback to prevent any outcry while you are on neutral ground.”

“Famously planned!”

“M.  Reimer, the Prussian resident here, outlined the plot, and appointed Lieutenant Henry to carry it out.”

“Afterward, Karl?”

“That’s all—­this time—­and it’s enough!”

“Yes, but I regret that it should end thus, for your account has greatly interested me.”

“Your honor may take it that all I have said is absolutely correct.”

“But when did you obtain this information?”

“Oh, just now!”

“And from whom?”

“Franz, Lieutenant Henry’s valet, when we were watching the horses beneath the big pines, while your honors waited in that roadside pavilion for the shower to pass over.”