“That was the fault of the states and cities, who would not grant the Elector taxes for the equipment of regiments,” returned the count, with emphasis.  “Besides, ever since the peace of Prague the Elector has been pledged to neutrality.  And if you can take part neither for nor against, can fight neither for friend nor foe, then it is better to have no soldiers, and no swords that can not be unsheathed.  But now all will be different, and therefore the Elector nominates you, General von Klitzing, commandant general of all the Brandenburg fortresses, their garrisons, and all the electoral forces collectively.”

“That is indeed an important and honorable appointment,” cried the general, “and I shall esteem myself happy if I can now succeed in bringing the electoral forces into action.”

“That must be done the first thing, general, yes, indeed, that must be done,” cried Burgsdorf, laughing.  “Alack! up to this time we have had no soldiers, for the couple of wretched fellows in each of the forts and the Elector’s bodyguard could hardly be accounted such, and made but a poor show.”

“Upon you, gentlemen, upon you it will henceforth devolve to create an army,” said Schwarzenberg solemnly.  “Colonel von Kracht, in virtue of my office as Stadtholder in the Mark, I this day pronounce you commandant of the fortresses of Berlin and Cologne; with the same fullness of power, I appoint you, Colonel von Rochow, commandant of Spandow; and lastly you, Colonel von Burgsdorf, I constitute commandant of the Fortress Kuestrin.”

“I should have been better pleased if you had made me commandant of Berlin,” growled Conrad von Burgsdorf.  “They lead such a dull, wearisome life at Fortress Kuestrin, and I wish that Kracht and I could change places with one another.  He knows the people of Kuestrin well, and understands how to get along with them, for the late commandant of Kuestrin was his father.  Let us exchange with one another, von Kracht—­here is my hand, give me yours!  You are commandant of Kuestrin and I of Berlin!”

“Slowly, colonel,” replied Baron von Kracht; “we must yield to order and authority, and submit ourselves to whatever the Stadtholder in the Mark has found good to arrange for us.”

“Well said, Sir Commandant of Berlin!” cried Schwarzenberg.  “I was silent, because I wished to hear your answer.  It follows, therefore, Colonel von Burgsdorf, that you go as commandant to Fortress Kuestrin.”

“I know very well that you send me away to remove me as far as possible from your residence Berlin,” growled Burgsdorf.  “You can not bear to see that the Elector is attached to me, and calls me his friend.  You can not bear that another should execute and perform what you yourself can not execute and perform.  I saw plainly yesterday the look of hatred and ill will which you darted at me, across the Elector’s table, while the great drinking match that I had proposed was going on.  It was right plain to be seen how much vexed you were, that there was anything in which Conrad von Burgsdorf could excel the wise, the learned, and the most worshipful Count Adam von Schwarzenberg.”