“Gracious sir,” proclaimed an advancing lackey, “an officer from Commandant von Kracht begs to be admitted, as he is charged with a verbal message from the commandant.”

“Admit him,” ordered the count, going hastily to meet the officer, who was just stepping into the room.

“Sir Count, I have bad news for you.  Colonel von Kracht has just been arrested.  He commissioned me to convey the tidings to you as he was led away.”

Count John Adolphus grew slightly pale, and exchanged a rapid glance of intelligence with Sebastian von Waldow.  “Who arrested Colonel von Kracht?” he asked.

“Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf, most gracious sir.  He showed Herr von Kracht his orders, signed by the Elector himself, and, as he came with a strong posse, the colonel could not resist, but was obliged to submit.”

“It is well; I thank you,” said John Adolphus quietly, and the officer took his leave.  “Well, Sebastian,” he said, turning to his confidant, “you were right, the captured papers must have been of dangerous import, for we already see the results.  Our enemies are active, and I like that, for thereby the denouement will be hastened and our victory brought nearer.  For conquer we will!”

“Conquer or die!” sighed Sebastian von Waldow.

Again was the door thrown open violently, and the count’s high steward hurried in, trembling and pale as a sheet.  “Your grace, Colonel von Burgsdorf, Colonel von Burgsdorf,” stammered he.

“What of him?” inquired the count hastily.  “Speak, answer me, Wallenrodt, what of Colonel von Burgsdorf?”

“Nothing further than that he ordered your high steward to conduct him hither and announce him to you,” said a rough, mocking voice behind the count.

It was Conrad von Burgsdorf who thus spoke.  He had just entered the apartment, and strode forward without apology or more formal salutation.

“Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg,” continued Burgsdorf, approaching close to the count, “I have come to do what should have been done long before, to seal the papers of the late Stadtholder in the Mark, and to take them with me.”

“Very fine,” returned the count contemptuously.  “Will you have the goodness to tell me whether my revered father imparted any such instructions to you before his death, and if so, show me the written order, for otherwise I would not be inclined to give you credence.”

“Have received no orders from the deceased count,” replied Burgsdorf, shrugging his shoulders.  “Would have received no orders from him, for there is only one under whom I serve, and that one is my master, the Elector Frederick William.  He ordered me to affix his signet to all the papers left by Count Adam Schwarzenberg, and I have therefore come to obey these orders.”

“Where is the written order?”

“Have no written order, but obtained a verbal one just a half hour ago.”

“Ah, it pleases you to jest,” cried Count Adolphus scornfully.  “You have come from Koenigsberg here in a half hour?  If you will condescend to receive no commands save from the Elector, then you must have spoken with him, and, as far as I know, the Elector is at Koenigsberg.”