Gotzkowsky dropped his hands from his face and listened.  “What was that? who cries for help?” asked he, dreamingly, still occupied with his own sorrows, scarcely conscious of the reality.  But suddenly he started, and from his eyes beamed life and courage.  “Ah!” cried he aloud, “mankind is suffering, and I am thinking of my own griefs.  I know these voices.  The wives and children of my workmen, the poor and oppressed of the city are calling me.  The people need me.  Up, Gotzkowsky! give them your heart, your life.  Endeavor to be a father to the unfortunate, and you will not be poor in children!”

Without the wailing and cries for help continued to resound, and the voices of weeping and trembling women and plaintive children cried aloud, “Gotzkowsky, help us! have pity on us, Father Gotzkowsky!”

“Father!” cried he, raising his head, his countenance beaming with delight.  “They call me father, and yet I complain.  Up! to my children who love me, and who need my help!”

* * * * *

BOOK II.

CHAPTER I.

THE TWO EDITORS.

On the morning succeeding the night of horrors and confusion in which Berlin had surrendered to the conqueror, the vanguard of the Russians marched into the town through the Koenig’s Gate.  But the commanding general, Tottleben, wished to make his triumphal entry with his staff and the main body of his army through the Kottbuss Gate, and had ordered the magistracy of the town to meet him there, and to bring with them a deputation of the merchants, to determine what contribution should be laid upon them.  But before the Russian general could make his entry, the vanguard of De Lacy’s army corps had penetrated into the Frederick Street suburb, and were committing the most atrocious acts of cruelty in the New Street.  With wild yells they entered the houses to rob and plunder, ill-treating those who refused to give up their valuables, and by violent threats of incendiarism, raising forced levies from the frightened inhabitants.

But it was not alone this lust of plunder in the soldiers which spread terror and dismay in each house and in every family.  Count De Lacy possessed a list of those persons who, by word, deed, or writing, had declared against Austria or Russia, and he gave it to his officers, with the order that they should not hesitate at any measures, any threats or acts of violence, to obtain possession of these people.  Besides which, he promised a considerable reward for each “traitor” brought to him; and it was therefore no wonder that these officers, with brutal and avaricious zeal, had scarcely arrived in the city before they commenced the pursuit of these outlaws.  With fearful yells they rushed into the houses, shouting out the names of those on the pursuit of whom they were bent, and whose seizure would secure them a golden reward.