The Duke of Weissenfels is to undertake the mission to Vienna.

PRINCE.

What does that mean?

EVERSMANN.

Investigation by the Attorney-General—­just come to the King’s ears. 
The man was a wigmaker.

PRINCE.

You are quite mad.  I must speak to the King.  It concerns the most important affair of my whole life. [Starts for the door again.]

EVERSMANN.

Pardon me, Prince, His Majesty sends you this letter.

PRINCE (takes the letter).

“To my son, the Crown Prince of Prussia, to be delivered personally in
Rheinsberg within twenty-four hours; kindness of the Prince of
Baireuth.”  Why this—­this is a formal decree of banishment from Berlin! 
How could it happen just now?

EVERSMANN.

It’s merely a polite hint.  Everything is discovered—­and not only the matter of Rapiniere. His Majesty knows you now as the emissary of the Crown Prince, sent to stir up a revolution here in Berlin and in the palace.  The wigmaker confessed it all.  I suspected Your Highness from the first.  Wish you a pleasant journey to Rheinsberg.

[He goes out.]

PRINCE.

Betrayed—­forsaken by all—­

HOTHAM (coming hastily from the QUEEN’S room).

Good news, Prince.  The Princess is under arrest again.

PRINCE.

And you call that good news, traitor!

HOTHAM.

There is more, Prince.  The traitor is pleased to hear that you also have fallen under the ban of the royal displeasure.

PRINCE.

You are pleased to hear that?

HOTHAM.

The traitor assures you on his honor that there could be no better means of fulfilling your heart’s desire.

PRINCE.

Would you drive me mad?

HOTHAM.

To throw a preliminary cold shower on your doubt [looks about cautiously] kindly read this portion of a letter I have but just received.

PRINCE.

A billet-doux from your Prince of Wales?

HOTHAM.

Read it, please.

PRINCE (reads).

“London, June the fifth—­”

HOTHAM (indicating a line lower down).

There—­read there.

PRINCE (reads).

“You ask for news from court.  We are very poor in such news just now. 
The Prince of Wales is still hunting wild boars in the Welsh mountains.” 
The Prince is—­not in Berlin?

HOTHAM (still cautious, but smiling).

Just as little as you are in the Palace of St. James at this moment.

PRINCE.

But what am I to think?  What am I to believe?

HOTHAM.

You are to believe that you could well afford to place more confidence in Hotham’s friendship, devotion—­and cleverness.

PRINCE.