Jaschinsky did not reply; he stepped to his desk and took out two rolls of ducats.  “Baron,” said he, “here is half of the money I borrowed from Trenck; before I hand it to you I have one request to make.”

“Well, speak.”

“How did you learn that I borrowed this money?”

“I saw your note which you gave to Trenck.”

“Ah! he showed it to you,” cried Jaschinsky, with such an expression of hate, scorn, and revenge, that even Pollnitz was moved by it.

He took the gold and let it slide slowly into his pocket.  “I owe you a hundred ducats; I cannot promise you to return them; but I can promise you that Trenck will never produce your draft, and I will show you how to revenge yourself upon the handsome officer.”

“If you assist me in that, I will present you with my best horse.”

“You shall be revenged,” said Pollnitz, solemnly.  “You can send the horse to my stable; Frederick von Trenck will soon cease to be dangerous to any one; he is a lost man!—­And now to the king,” said Pollnitz, as he left the colonel’s quarters.  “Yes, to the king; I must thank him for the confidence he showed me last night.”

The king was making his preparations for war with the most profound secrecy; he worked only at night, and gave up his entire time seemingly to pleasures and amusements.  He was daily occupied with concerts, balls, operas, and ballets; he had just returned from seeing the rehearsal of a new opera, in which Barbarina danced; he was gay and gracious.

He received his master of ceremonies jestingly, and asked him if he came to announce that he had become a Jew.  “You have tried every other religion at least twice; I know that you have had of late much to do with the ‘chosen people;’ I suppose you are now full of religious zeal, and wish to turn Israelite.  It would, perhaps, be a wise operation.  The Jews have plenty of gold, and they would surely aid with all their strength their new and distinguished brother.  Speak, then, make known your purpose.”

“I come to thank your majesty for the supper you graciously accorded me last night.”

“A supper! what do you mean?”

“Your majesty, through your private secretary, invited me to table, with all your splendid silver-ware.  Truly the meal was indigestible and lies like a stone upon my stomach; but, I say with the good soldiers, after the lash, ’I thank your majesty for gracious punishment.’”

“You are an intolerable fool; but mark me, no word of what you have seen.  I wished to prove to you that I had no money, and to be freed from your everlasting complaints and petitions.  I have therefore allowed you to see that my silver has gone to the mint.  It is to be hoped that you will now compose yourself, and seek no more gold from me.  Do not ask gold of kings, but of Jews!  Kings are poor, the poorest people of the state, for they have no personal property.” [Footnote:  The king’s own words.]