Gallas on his arrival perceived the impossibility of executing his commission, for Wallenstein’s troops and officers were devoted to him, and not even the crime of high treason could overcome their veneration and respect for him.  Finding that he could do nothing, and fearful that Wallenstein should discover the commission with which he was charged, Gallas sought for a pretence to escape from Pilsen, and offered to go to Altringer and to persuade him to return with him.

Wallenstein had no doubts of the fidelity of the general, and allowed him to depart.  As he did not return at once Piccolomini, who was also most anxious to get out of the grasp of Wallenstein, offered to go and fetch both Gallas and Altringer.  Wallenstein consented, and conveyed Piccolomini in his own carriage to Lintz.  No sooner had Piccolomini left him than he hurried to his own command, denounced Wallenstein as a traitor, and prepared to surprise the duke in Pilsen.  Gallas at the same time sent round copies of his commission to all the Imperial camps.

Upon his arrival Malcolm at once proceeded to the castle, and, finding the steward, requested him to inform the duke that he had returned.  In a few minutes he was ushered into his presence, and handed to him the letter from Oxenstiern.  Wallenstein tore it open without a word and gave an exclamation of satisfaction as he glanced it through.

“This is opportune indeed,” he said, “and I thank you for bringing me the news so rapidly.  Well did the astrologer say that my destiny to some extent depended on you; this is a proof that he was right.  The chancellor tells me that the Duke of Saxe-Lauenberg will march instantly with four thousand men to join me, and that Duke Bernhard will move down at once with six thousand of the best Swedish troops.  I may yet be even with the traitors.”

Although the defection of Gallas and Piccolomini and the news of the issue of the Imperial proclamation had fallen with stunning force upon Wallenstein, he had still faith in the fidelity of the army at large, and he had already despatched Marshal Terzky to Prague, where all the troops faithful to him were to assemble, intending to follow himself with the regiments at Pilsen as soon as carriage could be obtained from the country round.  His astrologer still assured him that the stars were favourable, and Wallenstein’s faith in his own destiny was unshaken.

Upon finding that Malcolm had orders to remain with him until he was joined by Duke Bernhard, he ordered handsome apartments to be prepared for him, and as there was no longer any reason why the fact that a Swedish officer was in the castle should be concealed, he commanded that Malcolm should be furnished with handsome raiment of all sorts and a suit of superb armour.  Upon the following morning Wallenstein sent for him.

“I have bad news,” he said.  “General Suys with an army arrived at Prague before Terzky got there, and I fear that the influence of Piccolomini, Gallas, and Altringer have withdrawn from me the corps which they command.  Terzky will return tomorrow morning, and I shall then march with him and the troops here to Egra.  There I shall effect a junction with Duke Bernhard, who is instructed to march upon that town.’’