“We shall see about that!” cried the count, with a threatening gesture.

“Yes, we shall see!  But first we must see where the papers are, which we are to seal and carry off.  Open that table drawer, count, and let us see what it contains.”

Count Adolphus had to submit to having every desk and table searched, and wherever papers were found, the great seal of the Electoral privy council was affixed, and they were then removed.  He had also to submit to having the whole palace ransacked from garret to cellar in search of the steward von Wallenrodt.  The sealing he could not prevent, but he had the satisfaction of seeing the soldiers fail in discovering the hiding place of his steward after making the strictest possible search, as well as of witnessing Colonel Burgsdorf’s disappointment on opening Count Adolphus’s own writing desk to find it perfectly empty.

“I said so,” growled Burgsdorf.  “We forgot that we were dealing with sly foxes, and barred the doors too late.  Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg, the sealing is over.  Now comes the performance of my second duty.  I have to announce to you on the part of Margrave Ernest, Stadtholder in the Mark, that you are under arrest in your own house until further notice, and are on no account whatever to be allowed to leave the palace.  Here is the warrant, that you may not say I am acting without orders.”

He drew forth a paper, unfolded it, and handed it to the count, who rapidly glanced over it.

“I see,” said he, with proud composure, “you are acting under authority, and are merely your master’s faithful beadle.  May I keep this warrant?”

“Why so?”

“To hand it to the Emperor, and show him with what disrespect they have dared to act against his counselor and chamberlain.”

“Keep the bill of indictment,” said Burgsdorf quietly.  “I shall be much surprised if you shortly find yourself in a condition to present it to the Emperor in person.  Certainly not just now, for you are under arrest, and can not have control of your own movements.  You will therefore have the gratification of having a guard at your door, although you are not the Stadtholder.  Farewell, Count John Adolphus!”

Bowing to the young count, who with a scornful laugh turned his back upon him, he left the apartment, followed by his officers.

“Metzdorf,” he said outside to the young officer in the antechamber, “to you I intrust the guarding of the palace.  I know you are incorruptible, and will not allow the young gentleman to escape.  Go round the palace on the outside, and before each door station two soldiers, who are to leave their posts neither by day or night.  Relieve them every four hours.  The Stadtholder, alas! did not order us to guard the inner doors of the house, so we must only be watchful and circumspect outside.  I commit the guarding to you, and if he escapes, the responsibility rests upon yourself.”