“But this they have by no means done!” cried Burgsdorf eagerly.  “They have rather shown themselves to be obstinate and untoward.  Goldacker has been extorting bonds in Fuerstenwald, plundering whole villages, and putting the magistrates in chains, because they would not say that Goldacker gave the press money to the young fellows of the village, although these had not made their appearance.  Colonel von Rochow put the clerk of his muster roll in irons, and had him condemned to the gallows by a court-martial, because the poor fellow would not bear false witness and swear that the colonel had made payments to him.  When the Stadtholder demanded the clerk’s release, Colonel von Rochow insolently refused to give him up, and now the margrave ordered me to arrest him.  But von Rochow did as his accomplices—­he fled and made his escape to the Imperialists.”

“Let the Imperialists keep Goldacker and Rochow,” said the Elector.  “I would have them know that I from this time forth cheerfully resign their services, and yield them up with good grace to the Emperor and empire.  With these two, therefore, we have done.  Tell me now, how the Schwarzenberg affair stands.  We gave orders that in due time the papers found in the palace of the deceased count should be sealed and handed over to the committee of investigation.  Was this done, and has it perhaps been made evident from the examination of the papers, that the son of the Stadtholder was innocent of complicity in the intrigues of his father and friends, and been falsely accused by us?”

“On the contrary, your highness, it was proved that Count John Adolphus had conspired, not merely with the rebellious officers, but with other persons not subjects of your highness.  Among the papers of the old count was found the young gentleman’s secret correspondence.  It was in cipher, it is true, but there are very learned men on the committee of investigation, and they discovered the key, and were able to read the letters.  Oh, most gracious sir, all your faithful servants were shamefully slandered and calumniated in these letters.  Your highness even was not spared, and the young gentleman expressly wrote that he would do all he possibly could to effect the downfall of the Elector Frederick William.  Of the States, he said that they were almost all friends of the Swedes and foes of the Emperor, and, above all, he represented me, Conrad von Burgsdorf, as a bitter enemy to the Emperor, and said that on that account all orders came to me.  But the States will complain to the Emperor that the rebellious slanderer, Count Schwarzenberg, has blackened them so abominably and accused them of high treason.”

“They can do so,” said the Elector—­“they can call the slanderer to account, and you can do so too, Burgsdorf, if it seems necessary to you.”

“But it does not seem at all necessary to me, your highness,” cried the colonel.  “I have only one master, yourself, and if I had injured your grace I should have been guilty of high treason.  Henceforth I shall be nothing but the most devoted and diligent servant of my dear young lord and Elector, and I care very little about Schwarzenberg’s having aspersed me to the Emperor if I am only blessed with your favor.”