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 COURTSHIP 
 
 IX SEVENTEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY.
 
 COURTSHIP 
 
 IN SEVENTEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY 
 IN EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY. 
 
 HAWLEY SMART, 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 :t BREEZIE LAKGTOX," " TWO KISSES," ETC. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY. 
 
 1876. 
 
 [AH Sights I?esei~ced.~}
 
 T-RTNTED BY TAYLOR AND CO., 
 [TTLE QYBEN STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS.
 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 i. 
 
 II. 
 
 III. 
 
 IV. 
 
 V. 
 
 VI. 
 
 VII. 
 
 vm. 
 
 IX. 
 X. 
 XI. 
 XII. 
 
 
 XIII. 
 
 XIV. 
 XV. 
 
 his majesty s envoy 
 
 the golden eagle . 
 
 the compact . 
 
 under the lime trees . 
 
 sergeant hoffmann *s dilemm 
 
 the captain's wooing 
 
 the ordering of the chest 
 
 under false pretences . 
 
 caspar trapped 
 
 discovery of the plot . 
 
 Hoffmann's march . 
 
 the raising of zweidorf 
 
 GREDEL's RESOLVE . 
 
 ON THE ROAD TO MUL1CH . 
 
 woman's WIT TRIUMPHANT 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 29 
 
 46 
 
 64 
 
 84 
 
 100 
 
 12? 
 
 144 
 
 16? 
 
 186 
 
 205 
 
 22? 
 
 241 
 
 261 
 
 rvj 
 
 
 4
 
 COURTSHIP 
 
 IN SEVENTEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 his majesty's envoy. 
 
 In the early part of the last century, some 
 few years after the career of the pugnacious 
 Charles of Sweden had been abruptly ter- 
 minated by that cannon shot at Friedrich- 
 shall the burghers of the free town of 
 Zweidorf found no little difficulty in trimming 
 their sails so as to escape collision with 
 their powerful and rapacious neighbours. It 
 
 Note. — This story is founded on an incident narrated 
 in Carlyle's ' Life of Frederick the Great. 
 
 VOL. I. B 
 
 «r
 
 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 was true that the Elector of Saxony was 
 pledged to protect them in the event of 
 their being attacked. The little town paid 
 an annual contribution to that needy potentate, 
 in return for which he guaranteed its in- 
 tegrity. But the Elector was notoriously 
 given up to the pursuit of pleasure, and had 
 been sore put to it more than once to take 
 care of himself and guard his own territories. 
 The good citizens of Zweidorf felt that 
 there was no great dependence to be placed 
 upon the electoral protection in time of need. 
 
 The seventeenth century had seen Ger- 
 many pretty nearly desolated. Towns were 
 sacked, and their inhabitants given to the 
 sword as a tit and righteous punishment 
 for the heresy of their opinions. The people 
 of these countries had been reduced to the 
 most abject misery by the order of the Pope. 
 
 Nearly a hundred years had gone, however, 
 since the termination of the Thirty Years' 
 War, and Germany had to a great extent re-
 
 HIS MAJESTY'S ENVOY. 
 
 covered from the paternal castigation; but 
 the history of those times as narrated to 
 them by their fathers was still fresh in the 
 memory of the elders. 
 
 Zweidorf is a pretty thriving little town, 
 the inhabitants whereof ask only to be 
 allowed to follow their various avocations in 
 peace. They are not disturbed by roystering 
 bands of soldiery, as they lie rather out of 
 the usual track of such gentry, and their 
 own civic guard amply suffices their needs 
 in that respect. Neither are they subject 
 to the visits of the wealthy nobility, with 
 their numerous trains of followers and de- 
 pendants. Such strangers as come to Zwei- 
 dorf are for the most part quiet, sober traders, 
 who come to chaffer their goods with the 
 inhabitants. The little town is notable for 
 its wood- carving, and the manufacture of pails, 
 drinking- cups, etc. 
 
 Herr Passauer, the burgomaster, is very 
 diffident about giving offence to these irritable 
 
 b 2
 
 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 neighbours who surround him. He knows 
 well that some of these wolf-like Archdukes, 
 whose territories bordered on Zweidorf, would 
 like nothing better than fair pretence to seize 
 upon the prosperous little town, and he is 
 perfectly aware how those distressed shadows 
 of royalty would grind down and squeeze 
 their new subjects to minister to their own 
 urgent necessities. For it really did seem 
 on the Continent in these days of George 
 II. that extortion from the people was carried 
 on with pretty much the same severity that 
 it had been in England in the days of 
 John. 
 
 Herr Passauer, sitting in conference with 
 some of the leading burghers, is much exer- 
 cised in his mind, and the cause of that 
 perturbation is due to a tall spare swart 
 man who, clad in military attire, lounges 
 indolently in the council-room, playing with 
 his sword knot. 
 
 Captain the Baron von Hompesch, for so
 
 HIS MAJESTY'S ENVOY. 
 
 is the dark soldier designated, has come to 
 Zweidorf, accredited by the King of Prussia, 
 and craves the worthy Burgomaster's permis- 
 sion to enlist recruits there for his Majesty King 
 Friedrich. 
 
 Herr Passauer would like much to tell the 
 Baron to go in search of recruits elsewhere, 
 but the Prussian monarch is not to be 
 lightly offended, and the chief magistrate 
 and his councillors are in the dilemma of 
 not wishing to give the required permission, 
 and not liking to refuse a request from so 
 powerful a neighbour. 
 
 Friedrich the First, father of Friedrich the 
 Great, is a grim customer to deal with, and 
 prosecutes his two hobbies with much 
 persistency — they are the continual bullying of 
 his son and the acquisition of an army of 
 giants. Thew and sinew there might still be 
 plenty of in Brandenburg, but of late thew 
 and sinew accompanied by the requisite 
 number of inches had waxed scarce. The
 
 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 standard of the Potsdam Guards could not 
 be lowered, and therefore King Friedrich 
 had sent forth his agents to procure him in 
 adjacent countries men of such stature as his 
 own country failed longer to supply. His 
 Majesty delighted in the consumption of 
 tobacco and the contemplation of seven- 
 foot grenadiers. He could look upon them 
 with complacency when they lacked half a 
 foot of that ideal perfection ; but they fell 
 in his estimation the lower they stood in their 
 stockings, and in his corps cP elite, the Potsdam 
 Guards, it wrung his heart to view a soldier 
 less than six feet two or so. 
 
 All this reads almost like a nursery story, 
 and yet it is but matter of history. Monarchs 
 like smaller men have strange fancies, and 
 perhaps the desire to command a brigade of 
 Anaks is less hurtful to the world than the 
 desire to make active use of more ordinary 
 sized soldiery which has characterised some 
 Princes we wot of.
 
 HIS MAJESTY'S ENVOY. 
 
 An unscrupulous old warrior called Secken- 
 dorf, much trusted by Friedrich, had the 
 selecting of these agents. He was a man 
 with no compunction about ways, so as the}' 
 served his end. That end was ever to 
 ingratiate himself with the King. It was not 
 to be supposed that he would select for such 
 business people troubled with squeamishness. 
 His instructions were much such as those 
 that the Great Jonathan Wild, according to 
 Fielding, received from his father on the acqui- 
 sition of money. He cried, " Get me big re- 
 cruits, fairly if you can ; but get them." Cap- 
 tain von Hompesch was an officer he held in 
 high esteem. He knew that he could depend 
 upon no overstrained delicacy on his part, and 
 therefore he had selected him as a fit recruiting 
 officer to take care of his master's interests in 
 the town of Zweidorf. 
 
 Herr Passauer and his fellow- councillors 
 held grave debate as to whether it was in- 
 cumbent upon them to give permission to]the
 
 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 King of Prussia's demand. Herr Passauer and 
 his council at last come to the conclusion that 
 they are not strong enough to resist this de- 
 mand ; that, as they must yield, it is better that 
 they should do so with a good grace. 
 
 " Baron von Hompesch," exclaims the bur- 
 gomaster at length, " it gives myself and 
 my colleagues much pleasure to accede to 
 his Majesty's desire. We can only ex- 
 press a hope that your party will not be 
 a very large one, and that you will undertake 
 they shall behave with decency, and not 
 outrage the feelings of the townspeople in any 
 way." 
 
 " My party, Herr Burgomaster, will consist 
 of a sergeant and four men," replied the Baron, 
 as he twirled his moustache. " They are not 
 likely to occasion you annoyance. In King 
 Priedrich's service we stand little nonsense. 
 In case of a flagrant crime I should shoot the 
 offender with my own hand. Por more venial 
 offences they know punishment would await
 
 HIS MAJESTY'S ENVOY. 
 
 them on their return to Brandenburg. We 
 Prussians have discipline at all events." 
 
 The eyes of the whole council-board 
 twinkled with dismay as Captain von 
 Hompesch, in the most nonchalant manner, 
 expressed himself on the subject of military 
 discipline. Once more it occurred to them that 
 they were introducing a firebrand into the quiet 
 little town in the shape of this cool, black- 
 visaged man, who counted life so cheap ; but 
 the thing was done now, and, as Herr Passauer 
 said, they could but hope no harm would 
 come of it. 
 
 Captain von Hompesch meanwhile makes 
 a curt military salute to the city fathers, and 
 betakes himself to search for quarters. He 
 was of a type common enough in those days, 
 a sheer soldier of fortune, always willing to 
 sell his sword to the highest bidder. Cadet 
 of a good but poor German family, he had 
 taken a turn wherever fighting had been 
 going on any time these last eighteen
 
 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 years — changing sides with perfect noncha- 
 lance when he deemed that his interests 
 required it. In this adventurous career 
 he had attracted the attention of Count Secken- 
 dorf, now ambassador of the Kaiser at the 
 Prussian Court, and much trusted and con- 
 sulted by King Friedrich. The Count's own 
 life had much resembled his prot&g&s. 
 True, he had the luck to play his part, or 
 parts I should say, for he was a man of much 
 change in that respect, in a higher sphere, 
 and that he had carried his wares to market 
 for . many years longer than Captain von 
 Hompesch, but Carlyle's famous description 
 of Seckendorf, due allowance made that the 
 one was an old man, the other in the prime 
 of life, was equally applicable to both : 
 " Spiritually he was an old soldier let for 
 hire ; an old Intriguer, Liar, Fighter, what 
 you like. "What we may call a Human Soul 
 standing like a hackney-coach this half cen- 
 tury past with head, tongue, heart, conscience,
 
 HIS MAJESTY'S ENVOY. 
 
 at the hest of a discerning public and its 
 shilling." 
 
 Captain von Hompesch was no whit be- 
 hind his patron in these respects. His tongue 
 and conscience were quite at the disposal of 
 the purchaser of his sword. He understood 
 perfectly what it was that the Count expected 
 of him. That eligible recruits, who declined 
 to enlist voluntarily, must be brought to the 
 standard by some other means. Captain von 
 Hompesch had already distinguished him- 
 self as a smart and active recruiting officer ; 
 he showed great resource, coolness, and 
 audacity. So his superiors in the Prussian 
 army were accustomed to say. But there 
 were not wanting scandalous tongues that 
 declared that, in plain English, this only 
 meant he was an unscrupulous and successful 
 crimp. Still these were but rumours whis- 
 pered in the Captain's absence, for it was well 
 known that Yon Hompesch both could and 
 would use his sword upon very slight provo-
 
 ia COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 cation ; that, whatever his faults, want of 
 courage was at all events not one of them; 
 and that his hand had much cunning in the 
 use of both rapier and sabre. Men of this 
 stamp had one advantage in those times. 
 They were enabled to keep gossip concerning 
 them within due bounds. Nowadays it is 
 hard to deal with one's traducers. To bring 
 an action for libel is to advertise the scandal 
 at heavy expense.
 
 CHAPTEK II. 
 
 4 THE GOLDEX EAGLE.' 
 
 In a street leading from the market-place of 
 Zweidorf stood the l Golden Eagle,' kept by 
 Papa Sydow. The i Golden Eagle ' had been 
 originally but a somewhat humble restaurant, 
 but from the time it had fallen into the hands 
 of Papa Sydow the auriferous bird had thriven 
 and grown apace. A hard-working, thrifty, 
 somewhat avaricious man was Papa Sydow. 
 Up early and late, seeing to things with his 
 own eyes, and not trusting to those of his 
 subordinates. Driving hard bargains, and with 
 a greedy eye for the accumulation of wealth. 
 Yet withal a just man giving good wine, food, 
 and accommodation in exchange for those gold
 
 i 4 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 pieces lie so loved to handle. The restaurant 
 had long since disappeared, and the ' Golden 
 Eagle ' was now quite the leading hostelrie of 
 Zweidorf. 
 
 Papa Sydow was a widower, and to assist 
 him in his business had but one child. Gredel 
 Sydow was a damsel fair to look upon^ and 
 many a bumper was quaffed to her health 
 through the city, I warrant you. Deft and 
 quick with her fingers was Gredel. A sharp- 
 witted girl to boot, and little likely to have 
 her head turned by the many compliments 
 that were paid her. Her beauty, good humour, 
 and attention to the better class of visitors 
 contributed in no slight measure to swell the 
 custom of the house. Many a sagacious pow 
 was shaken as it was observed that pretty 
 Gredel Sydow was the only daughter of a 
 warm man and would make a good wife for 
 any one. "Wouldn't come empty handed 
 either, you may stake your life," would remark 
 one of these astute observers with a knowing
 
 THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 15 
 
 wink. " Gad, if my time had to come over 
 again, I wouldn't be so slack as the young men 
 are nowadays. We were up the tree a little 
 before the pears were ripe, in my time." 
 
 Some three months have elapsed since Cap- 
 tain von Hompesch had his interview with 
 the city council, as related in the preceding 
 chapter, and he has established himself and 
 Serjeant at the ' Golden Eagle.' Indeed, if you 
 glance into the public room you may see that 
 latter functionary taking his morning draught 
 at this present. Picture to yourself an old 
 oak panelled room, half-parlour, half- kitchen ; 
 racks full of plates and dishes ; shelves 
 adorned with squat gilt-labelled bottles, glasses, 
 and tankards ; wooden silver-hooped beer 
 stoups, embossed goblets, and purple beakers 
 of rich Bohemian ware. A massive screen 
 is drawn across the fire at which some savoury 
 dishes are in due progress. On one side the 
 room are three or four tables, around one of 
 which at the moment sit two or three soldiers
 
 16 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 in the somewhat voluminous tailed blue coats 
 slashed with red that constitutes the uniform 
 of King Friedrich of Prussia; on the other 
 side, engaged at a spinning-wheel, sits a dark 
 bright- eyed young woman habited in a choco- 
 late coloured bodice, with a petticoat of yellow 
 striped with black, and displaying, thanks to 
 the petticoats of those days being somewhat 
 curtailed, a pair of remarkably neat ankles en- 
 cased in yellow stockings with black clocks, and 
 well-turned feet to which the high -heeled silver 
 buckled shoes did ample justice. The soldiers 
 are engaged in somewhat boisterous conversa- 
 tion. At times the damsel at the spinning- 
 wheel raises her head, listens, and smiles, but re- 
 sumes her task without taking part in their talk. 
 The principal speaker is Sergeant Hoffmann. 
 He offers a contrast to his companions, 
 for whereas they are tall, well-built, grisly 
 grenadiers, the Sergeant is a little cock-nosed 
 man with a somewhat decided cast in his 
 keen grey eyes. The wit of one's supe-
 
 THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 17 
 
 riors is generally met with acclamation, and 
 the Sergeant's comrades greet his sallies with 
 lond langhter. 
 
 "Well, pass the bottle, boys, " he exclaimed 
 at length. u It's wearisome work this re- 
 cruiting. Odd zoons, the thirst for glory seems 
 quenched amongst the people." 
 
 " We've not listed a man these ten days," 
 replied one of the soldiers. 
 
 " No; the sordid rogues seem to prefer the 
 certain pittance of daily labour to the dazzling 
 chances of prize money, plunder, and promotion 
 that I hold constantly before them." 
 
 "For my part," observed another, " I can't 
 see why his Majesty has forbidden us to 
 use a little compulsion, as we did in times 
 gone by in Brandenburg." 
 
 " Moral suasion, Max, moral suasion, you 
 mean," returned the Sergeant with a wink of 
 his sinister eye; ci always allude to such 
 transactions in delicate language." 
 
 " Ha, ha ! " laughed Max ; " that's what 
 
 VOL. I. C
 
 1 8 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 you call tying up a likely young fellow by 
 his thumbs who seemed blind to the ad- 
 vantages of the service." 
 
 " Don't talk about it, don't talk about it. It 
 makes me sad to think what recruiting was in 
 those parts, compared to what it is here. But 
 you see, lads, we are not exactly on his Majesty's 
 territories now. We must speak people fair, 
 though nought forbids, mind, you should 
 speak them false. 'Tis to slippery tongue 
 and well-oiled palm," continued the Sergeant, 
 lowering his voice, "that we must trust to 
 till such time as what bone and sinew we 
 may pick up is across the frontier. Sapper - 
 ment ! we'll crow another note when we get 
 them amongst our own people." 
 
 " That Caspar Zimmermann, the carpenter, is 
 a likely lad enough," said Max meditatively, 
 as he finished his glass. " A clean built 
 fellow as ever buckled on knapsack." 
 
 "The makings of a most excellent grena- 
 dier," replied Hoffmann sharply. " Have an
 
 THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 19 
 
 eye to him. Ply him with promises. Such 
 a clean-limbed knave deserves a better fate 
 than to be a mere nail driver all his life. 
 Drench him with liquor, boys. Deafen him 
 with tales of the King's generosity. Paint 
 Brandenburg as a very Golconda to him." 
 
 " Aye, Sergeant, you may trust us to snare 
 him if possible. We've not been at the 
 recruiting work all this time without learning 
 the tricks of the trade. But he's a shy fish, 
 this Caspar, not given to push the bottle 
 about, and they do say he's bachelor to 
 Mistress Gredel, daughter of old Sydow, our 
 host here." 
 
 " The devil ! " exclaimed Hoffmann. " That 
 news won't suit the Captain when he hears 
 it. He counts Mistress Gredel a tit-bit for 
 his own eating. But away with you, lads. 
 Don't be sparing of promises, for they cost 
 nothing ; and as by your vocation you must 
 needs lie, see you do it handsomely. A 
 
 c 2
 
 20 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 scant, meagre, hesitating lie is a pettifogging 
 fault to have registered against one." 
 
 Hoffmann sat for some time after his com- 
 rades' departure, lost in thought. Like his 
 officer, he also had acquired some dubious 
 fame in this particular branch of the Prussian 
 service, and had been selected by Yon Hom- 
 pesch to accompany him, pretty much on 
 the same principles that Count Seckendorf 
 had picked out himself. He was utterly un- 
 scrupulous, rapacious as only such men are. 
 Cunning, false, and cowardly, as is the wont 
 of those who traffic in their fellows. Crimping 
 and slaving are analogous terms, and there 
 is nothing to choose between the practitioners 
 of the two trades. 
 
 Yery subtle was Hoffmann. He was a man 
 of much craft and many devices. Difficult 
 to surpass in the extreme falsity of his tongue, 
 he had a natural ability for lying not vouch- 
 safed, happily, to the generality of mankind. 
 He wanted but one trait in his character to
 
 THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 21 
 
 have become a transcendent villain — pluck. 
 He was capable of plotting stupendous crimes, 
 but his nerve ever failed him in carrying them 
 out. No conscientious compunctions would 
 have made him waver, but he had a great 
 regard for his own miserable carcase. He 
 had a wholesale dread of both the gallows 
 and the halberds. This, luckily for himself, 
 had kept him but a somewhat milk-and-water 
 offender after all. The one redeeming trait 
 in his character was his devotion to Yon 
 Hompesch. The iron will of his Captain 
 had more than once induced him to run risks 
 that he shuddered to look back upon. There 
 was, perhaps, some fear even mingled with 
 his admiration of his master. Men who know 
 themselves devoid of it, have ever great reve- 
 rence for personal courage; moreover, Hoff- 
 mann probably deemed his immediate chief 
 a dangerous man to thwart. 
 
 Now Sergeant Hoffmann knew perfectly well 
 that his Captain had for some time pondered
 
 22 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 upon the advisability of wedding Gredel 
 Sydow. She was a very pretty girl, an only 
 daughter, and both appearance and report 
 favoured the idea that when Papa Sydow 
 should be gathered to his fathers, that a 
 very handsome portion would fall to Gredel's 
 lot. The idea, which he had just heard for 
 the first time, that this Caspar Zimmermann, 
 the carpenter, should interfere with the Cap- 
 tain's project, plunged the Sergeant into 
 wrathful cogitation. 
 
 " Caspar Zimmermann," he mused, " was 
 evidently fitted for the Potsdam Guards. 
 That young carpenter's stalwart form and 
 giant stature had early attracted the notice of 
 the recruiting party, but their overtures had 
 so far been met with ironical rejection. Ser- 
 geant Hoffmann bethought him that it would 
 be well to prosecute with vigour a flirtation 
 that he had hitherto carried on somewhat 
 feebly with Martha, the head chambermaid 
 of the l Golden Eagle.' The young woman
 
 THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 23 
 
 at the spinning-wheel with the remarkably 
 neat ankles was Martha, and the Sergeant, 
 having made up his mind, resolved to com- 
 mence at once. That Martha was the confi- 
 dante of Gredel, Hoffmann was well aware, 
 and that the corruption of the maid was the 
 first step in a love affair the Sergeant held to 
 be an undeniable axiom. Ill-favoured as he 
 was, he had played Leporello by no means 
 unsuccessfully before now. Did not Wilkes 
 say that the handsome face had but thirty 
 minutes' start in the race for a woman's good 
 will, which to a cunning tongue was scarce 
 worth counting ? 
 
 If the Sergeant lacked audacity, he possessed 
 a very fair substitute for it, namely, astounding 
 impudence ; and although previous experience 
 had taught him that the bright -eyed chamber- 
 maid was quick witted in the bandying of 
 words, yet he looked, upon it that promises, soft 
 speeches, and presents would speedily win her 
 over to his master's interest.
 
 24 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 Eising from his seat lie lounged across to 
 the side of the spinning-wheel, and remarked, 
 "Your mistress is late returning from the 
 market, Martha." 
 
 "It may he, Herr Hoffmann, that she has 
 met with those that entertain her." 
 
 "Ah, she lingers, you think, to listen to 
 Captain von Hompesch's soft speeches." 
 
 "If she linger for that, she wastes much 
 time upon a small matter," replied the girl 
 with a saucy toss of her head. 
 
 "You may say what you will," retorted 
 Hoffmann, " you are all alike upon that point, 
 and there never was petticoat yet but lent a 
 kindly ear to a soldier's wooing." 
 
 " A soldier makes a poor lover. He's here 
 to-day and away to-morrow, and leaves his 
 sweetheart with finger in mouth and the tear 
 in her eye." 
 
 " Ha, ha," chuckled the Sergeant. "You're 
 afraid of losing us, but when the knot's 
 tied ? "
 
 THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 25 
 
 "He makes a good husband/' interrupted 
 Martha. " Do you know why ? " she continued 
 with a burst of laughter. " Because he's likely 
 to be away for the most part, and there's good 
 hope he may never come back." 
 
 " The crocodile " muttered Hoffmann, " she 
 would begin calculating 'on her widowhood from 
 the day of her wedding. By the way, the 
 gossips have it that your mistress looks kindly 
 upon Caspar Zimmermann, the carpenter." 
 
 " If you believe all the town tattlers tell, 
 heaven help you ; and yet," continued Martha, 
 meditatively, " I've known bigger falsehoods 
 about than that." 
 
 " They say too," went on the Sergeant, 
 casting an oblique glance at his companion, 
 " that Herr Sydow looks higher for his daughter 
 and don't favour the carpenter's suit." 
 
 " Foolish old man," said Martha, rising 
 somewhat impatiently from her spinning-wheel. 
 " Prosperity has turned his head. Since the 
 1 Golden Eagle ' has so thriven he would needs
 
 26 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 make Gredel a lady. He'd sooner see her 
 married to some rapscallion with a Yon before 
 his name than wife to a decent burgher. 
 
 " Ha !" exclaimed the Sergeant, as he buried 
 his hands deep in his breeches' pockets. " Sits 
 the wind in that quarter? The Captain is 
 likely then to have a powerful ally in his 
 wooing." 
 
 "Even so," replied Martha, plaiting her 
 apron, "and Caspar Zimmermann the better 
 help." 
 
 " How do you make that out ? " asked 
 the Sergeant tersely. 
 
 " It is very simple. We are all perverse 
 by nature. Forbid us to love a man, and none 
 other shall serve our turn." 
 
 " Yery true, very true," laughed the 
 Sergeant. " But look here, Martha, the 
 Captain has set his heart upon winning your 
 mistress. He'd be liberal of his gold to any 
 who might help him." 
 
 " Liberal of his promises more like. It is
 
 THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 27 
 
 of them and their kisses men are most lavish 
 when they traffic with maids.'' 
 
 "You shall have earnest of his generosity 
 at once if you'll side with him," exclaimed the 
 Sergeant eagerly. "A quick-witted wench 
 like you must have some influence over her 
 mistress.'' 
 
 " I never was pledged yet, but I'd token 
 to bear me in mind of it," replied Martha, 
 turning half away from her companion. 
 11 But," she continued hesitatingly, " woman 
 is weak, and since you say the Captain is so 
 desperately in love with her — you did say 
 he was desperately in love with her, didn't 
 you?" she asked with intention, at the same 
 time turning sharply round again. 
 
 "Desperately dying for love of her," 
 replied the Sergeant as he slipped a gold piece 
 into the girl's by no means unwilling hand. 
 
 Martha was apparently quite unconscious 
 of the coin, though her fingers closed upon it, 
 " Ah," she said, demurely, " we must see poor 

 
 28 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 man what we can do for him. There never 
 was woman yet that could keep from helping 
 on a genuine love affair." 
 
 "They are all alike," thought Hoffmann ; "if 
 soft words won't serve their turn, try gold or 
 ribbons. My life on it you have 'em that 
 way. Well, good-bye, Martha, for the pre- 
 sent," he exclaimed. "Bemember you are 
 listed now under the Captain's banner, and are 
 pledged to render service when called upon." 
 
 " I'll not forget," replied Martha with a 
 saucy little nod, and she stood watching the 
 Sergeant as he swaggered down the street with 
 a somewhat peculiar smile upon her lips. 
 
 " Oh ! the villainy of man," she murmured 
 at last, " that seeks to compass a poor servant 
 maid's destruction. But the gold is good 
 gold," she continued, looking at Hoffmann's 
 gift, " and what I give for it lies at my own 
 discretion. May you never repent . your 
 bargain, Herr Hoffmann."
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 "the compact." 
 
 Martha was quite right when she said that 
 prosperity had somewhat turned Papa Sydow's 
 head. As the little cabaret had developed into 
 the leading inn of Zweidorf, so had Papa 
 Sydow's desires and ambitions increased. As 
 Martha said, he had set his foolish old head 
 upon making a lady of his pretty Gredel, and 
 bitterly regretted that he had sanctioned her 
 betrothal to Caspar Zimmermann, the carpenter, 
 some four years back. At the time Caspar, 
 the best craftsman of the trade for many a 
 mile round Zweidorf, stout-limbed and steady, 
 just setting up in business on his own ac- 
 count, had looked a good and suitable match
 
 3 o COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 for his daughter, but now the world had so 
 thriven with him that he looked upon it she 
 might fly a higher kite in the matrimonial 
 market. At this juncture it was that Captain 
 the Baron von Hompesch took up his quarters 
 at the ' Golden Eagle.' 
 
 To a man of the Captain's powers of observa- 
 tion it was speedily patent that Gredel Sydow 
 was an uncommonly pretty girl, that her father 
 was well to do, and that an adventurer like 
 himself might do worse than wed the heiress of 
 the ' Golden Eagle.' He very soon discovered 
 his host's weakness, and as quickly made up 
 his mind to exchange the Yon before his name 
 for Herr Sydow' s daughter and accumulated 
 hoards. But the Captain was much too astute 
 a man not to see ere long that the fair Gredel 
 viewed his attentions not only with indiffer- 
 ence, but almost with dislike. " Citadel pre- 
 occupied," was his brief comment as this 
 discovery forced itself upon him. 
 
 " To find out who by is the first step to take,
 
 THE COMPACT. 31 
 
 to ascertain whether his removal from Zweidorf 
 society be possible the second, to translate him 
 to other climes the third." 
 
 Consequently when Hoffmann reported to 
 him the information he had acquired that 
 morning, the Captain received it with much 
 satisfaction. He only waited to discover whom 
 his rival might be to commence the game in 
 earnest. Like the war horse that snuffeth up 
 the battle, von Hompesch was quite jubilant 
 that the prize was not to be won without 
 trickery and chicane. It was a satisfaction 
 to him to plunge once more into intrigue. 
 Zweidorf began to hang somewhat heavy on 
 his hands, and he was getting tired of devising 
 traps for gigantic bumpkins ; had indeed left 
 such cozening, lying, and scheming principally 
 to his Sergeant of late. 
 
 " Good, my Hoffmann," he said, " good. It 
 was the very information I needed. One plays 
 in the dark not knowing one's adversary. But 
 I think it will not be long before I cry check at
 
 32 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 least to Herr Zimmermann. I don't know about 
 mate," continued the Captain, rubbing his 
 hands softly. " But mate for him means a 
 mate also for me. Ha, ha ! Hoffmann." And 
 both Captain and Sergeant indulged in laughter 
 at the former's jest. 
 
 Ct Yes, you did well to buy that girl," con- 
 tinued Yon Hompesch musingly. " She's a 
 clever quick-witted wench that. Don't be 
 sparing of the gold as far as she is concerned. 
 If she gives no assistance, she's worth money 
 to keep from interfering in any shape. You 
 may as well ask her to marry you, Hoffmann, 
 it will keep her in good humour, and you can 
 do as you list about it afterwards, you know. 
 
 " Good, Herr Hauptmann," replied the 
 Sergeant, u they do place more confidence in 
 us when we've plighted our troth ; but this 
 girl's not so easy to fool as most of them. Still 
 I'll do my best/' and touching his cap Hoff- 
 mann took his departure. 
 
 "Yes, it'll work," mused Von Hompesch.
 
 THE COMPACT. 33 
 
 " The vanity of this foolish old innkeeper is 
 much tickled at the thought of mating his 
 daughter with a Baron. Papa Sydow will be 
 safe to nse all his influence in my favour ; and 
 Papa Sydow's savings will be very satisfactory 
 to have the disbursement of. The girl too is 
 worth winning, the more especially as she is 
 guilty of the impertinence of affecting to turn 
 her nose up at my wooing. My pretty Gredel, 
 you will be the Baroness von Hompesch, 
 little as you may think it. Your obstinacy, 
 I fear, will be productive of some grief and 
 discomfort to that worthy citizen Herr Zimmer- 
 mann. Yes, my Mend of the hammer, I think 
 you will have to be removed temporarily at all 
 events from the sphere you at present adorn/' 
 and the Captain indulged in a low laugh. 
 
 Dangerous, an unscrupulous man like this, 
 under such circumstances. The girl's beauty 
 had attracted his fancy. Her rejection of his 
 advances had wounded his pride. Her pre- 
 sumed dowry had aroused his rapacity. In 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 34 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 one of Yon Hoinpesch's character no three 
 stronger passions conld have been raised, and 
 he was of a kind likely to stop at little in order 
 to compass his ends. He looked upon it as 
 much condescension on his part that he should 
 profess honourable love for Gredel at all, and 
 indeed had it not been for her father's reputed 
 wealth would hardly have done so. The idea 
 that a mere master carpenter could be pre- 
 ferred before him filled his mind in about 
 equal proportions with wrath and astonishment. 
 He had looked upon GredeFs coyness as sheer 
 coquetry at first; then it dawned upon him 
 that there was a rival in the field. But so 
 base born a rival, faugh ! He had heard of a 
 certain elderly Count Zeichstein, with a some- 
 what unsavoury reputation, who lived in the 
 neighbourhood, and who upon his by no means 
 unfrequent visits to Zweidorf was accustomed 
 to lodge at the ' Golden Eagle.' He had deemed 
 that his attentions and wealth might have 
 turned the girl's head. But to find that a mere
 
 THE COMPACT. 35 
 
 hard-working craftsman like Caspar Zimmer- 
 mann was the obstacle in his path, made all the 
 Von Hompesch blood in his veins boil with 
 indignation. 
 
 Unprincipled scoundrel as he was, yet the 
 Captain prided himself upon his family descent 
 as much as if sans yeproche could be still 
 truthfully inscribed upon his banner. A 
 circumstance by no means uncommon in the 
 present day even. Men are wont to brag 
 about their ancestors when they have nothing 
 else left to look back upon, and when their own 
 career has been base enough to make the very 
 bones of their forefathers rattle in their 
 mouldering coffins. 
 
 Herr Sydow was as keen and shrewd a man 
 of business as ever trod the streets of Zweidorf. 
 He would not have raised the ' Golden Eagle ' 
 to its present proud position of leading hostelrie 
 in the city if he had been otherwise, but he was 
 undoubtedly a little soft-hearted on the 
 subject of his daughter. He loved the girl 
 
 n 2
 
 36 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 very dearly and she deserved it. But like 
 many another affectionate father, he was all 
 for making her happy in his way regardless of 
 her own feelings, and had decided that to marry 
 her above her station was to achieve that 
 desirable end. "When Gredel would remind 
 him of her betrothal, he fumed, fidgeted, and 
 affected to look upon it as a piece of childish 
 folly. A thing to laugh at, a case of children 
 calling each other man and wife. Albeit when 
 the children had been respectively sixteen and 
 twenty-two, it could hardly be regarded in 
 that light. He gave scant welcome to Caspar 
 Zimmermann nowadays, and lost no oppor- 
 tunity of showing him that his presence was 
 not deemed desirable at the l Golden Eagle,' 
 by the proprietor at all events. If Caspar 
 attempted to allude to his betrothal, Papa 
 Sydow would laugh it off, or suggest that it 
 was really getting time to let that old jest 
 drop. But as for being brought to any serious 
 conversation on the subject, the wily old
 
 THE COMPACT. 37 
 
 innkeeper knew better than that, and the 
 young carpenter, spite of the many times he 
 had vowed to bring his proposed father-in- 
 law to the point, had never as yet succeeded. 
 
 Herr Sydow is sitting in his own little 
 business parlour abutting on the courtyard, 
 upon which indeed the window looks out, 
 thereby enabling him to keep an eye to some 
 extent upon the arrival and departure of his 
 guests. ' The Golden Eagle ' stands, as before 
 said, in one of the principal streets of Zweidorf, 
 which street debouches from the market-place 
 and runs in nearly a straight line to one of the 
 three city gates. For Zweidorf is a walled 
 town, as was common in those troublous times, 
 and drops her bars and turns her keys at 
 nightfall. The inn is entered from the street 
 only by a broad archway, the massive doors of 
 which are folded back by day but closed at 
 sundown. The sole other entrance to the 
 house is a small wicket at the opposite side of 
 the courtyard, opening on a labyrinth of
 
 38 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 narrow alleys and barely large enough to allow 
 the passage of a man on horseback. This is 
 made but little use of. The house runs over 
 the archway, and it is through that the guests 
 of the l Golden Eagle ' come and go. 
 
 A comfortable little snuggery is this of Papa 
 Sydow's, with the morning sun streaming in at 
 its flower- decked windows ; for Gredel takes 
 jealous care that her father's window-sill shall 
 be always gaily adorned in the summer 
 months. A big china-bowled pipe hangs 
 over the mantelpiece, from behind which — the 
 pipe, not the mantelpiece — Herr Sydow gives 
 vent to much oracular discourse in the 
 evening times. A few rough prints and one 
 or two fairish pictures of the Dutch school 
 ornament the walls, while a big wooden arm- 
 chair comfortably cushioned stands opposite 
 a huge wooden desk garnished with an upright 
 back, which towers above it, filled with number- 
 less pigeon-holes and ledgers. In one corner 
 stands a rude iron safe furnished with much
 
 THE COMPACT. 39 
 
 complication of locks and bars ; a table in the 
 centre of the room and a few heavy chairs 
 complete the furniture of the chamber. 
 
 Herr Sydow seated in the big arm-chair is 
 leisurely posting up his books. A stout florid 
 man with keen grey eyes, rather heavy brows, 
 and a trifle under-jawed. He is habited in a 
 plum-coloured cloth suit with steel buttons, 
 somewhat voluminous breeches, stout lambs- 
 wool hose rolled up below the knee, the whole 
 terminating in strong silver-buckled shoes. 
 His employment is apparently satisfactory. 
 He chuckles occasionally as he tots up the 
 columns, and now and again pauses to rub his 
 hands with palpable gratification. A spec- 
 tator would have augured that the c Golden 
 Eagle ' was doing well if the proprietor's looks 
 might be depended upon. 
 
 A dark face peered for a moment through 
 the casement, and the keen black eyes in their 
 rapid survey arrived promptly at that con- 
 clusion. Another moment and a sharp au-
 
 4 o COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 thoritative knock broke the thread of Papa 
 Sydow's calculations. 
 
 " Come in," he replied, and in obedience 
 to the response Captain von Hompesch 
 lounged leisurely into the room. 
 
 " Good morning, Herr Hauptmann ! " ex- 
 claimed the innkeeper, as he rose to welcome 
 his guest. " To what am I indebted for so early 
 a visit ? Nothing to discontent you, I would 
 hope, in the service of the ' Golden Eagle.' " 
 
 " No," replied Yon Hompesch, as he threw 
 himself into a chair. " I come to speak to 
 you of more serious matters than corked flasks 
 or the burning of a brandered fowl. You may 
 remember, my worthy host, that not long since 
 I expressed a warm admiration for your 
 daughter." 
 
 " You did, you did ! " exclaimed Sydow 
 hastily, " and I felt much flattered at the 
 thoughts that such conversation gave rise to. 
 She's a good girl, aud I hoped that you might 
 overlook her want of birth in consideration of
 
 THE COMPACT. 41 
 
 her coming to you by no means empty- 
 handed." 
 
 " Yes, Papa Sydow, and I on my side felt 
 disposed to make a lady of her. But, my 
 friend Sydow, you have not been open with 
 me. It perhaps escaped your mind that 
 Gredel meditates throwing herself away, upon 
 a mere carpenter of this city — sacrificing her 
 beauty to a paltry board splitter — " 
 
 "A mere childish fancy, Herr Hauptmann," 
 cried the innkeeper eagerly. "I pray you to 
 lend no credence to the idle gossips of the town. 
 What should a child know of such things ? Gre- 
 del did fancy herself at one time engaged to the 
 playmate of her girlhood, but that has all gone 
 by. A man of your experience, Herr Baron, 
 should judge lightly of a young girl's 
 whimsies." 
 
 " Yes,'' retorted Yon Hompesch slowly as 
 he stroked his moustache, " but when a young 
 woman persists in carrying on her childhood's 
 whimsies — "
 
 42 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " But she don't, she don't," interrupted 
 Papa Sydow, rising from his seat in his ex- 
 citement, and beginning to pace the room. 
 
 " But she does," said the Captain coolly. 
 
 " It's impossible; the girl must be demented. 
 Besides, she scarce ever sees him now." 
 
 " "\yiiich. being interpreted, Papa Sydow, 
 means that she don't see him in your presence." 
 
 " But it's absurd, it's ridiculous. I'll never 
 consent to such folly. I'll tell her — " 
 
 " Never mind telling her," interrupted the 
 Captain quietly, 4 i tell him that you'll have him 
 at the ' Golden Eagle' no more, and that your 
 pretty Gredel mates not with a fellow of his 
 kind. I presume she understands clearly that 
 I have your authority to pay my addresses." 
 
 " Yes, yes," stammered Herr Sydow, consider- 
 ably discomposed by this direct question. " I 
 told her that you did her the honour to — to seek 
 her in marriage." And the worthy innkeeper 
 recalled, with dire misgivings, a conversation 
 he had had some ten davs back with his
 
 THE COMPACT. 43 
 
 daughter upon this subject, in which she had 
 made him clearly understand that she held 
 stoutly to her " childish folly " at all events, 
 and was not one whit inclined to discard Caspar 
 Zimmermann in favour of Captain von Honi- 
 pesch. 
 
 The Captain eyed his host narrowly for a 
 few seconds, which rather increased the latter's 
 discomposure. At last he said with a short 
 laugh, "Pouf ! Papa Sydow, it is but a little 
 affair after all. You send this carpenter about 
 his business. You exert your paternal 
 authority while I make myself agreeable, pay 
 those little attentions which women prize, 
 make those little presents which women love. 
 A few weeks and the bells of Zweidorf will 
 ring for the wedding. It is a very simple 
 matter," continued the Captain rising. " Only 
 see you play your part in it at once, and I will 
 answer for its satisfactory conclusion. Is 
 it a bargain ? May I depend upon you ? " 
 
 " There's mv hand od it," cried the delighted
 
 44 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 innkeeper, completely carried away by his 
 visitor's confident tone, and the two men 
 clasped palms. 
 
 Papa Sydow was conscious, as he sat think- 
 ing over the conversation after the Captain's 
 departure, that the light way in which Von 
 Hompesch spoke of winning Gredel could 
 hardly be thought satisfactory by a father 
 sincerely anxious for his daughter's happiness. 
 It had not escaped him, and jarred upon his 
 mind as he recalled it. Still he was so blinded 
 at the idea of wedding his daughter to a man 
 of rank that he sought to stifle the feeling 
 which that flippancy had aroused — a feeling 
 which, had it been excited by a wooer of her 
 own class, would have given birth to suspicions, 
 led to inquiries into such wooer's past life, etc. 
 Herr Sydow was in total ignorance of Yon 
 Hompesch's real character and antecedents. 
 He dearly loved his daughter, and had he had 
 the slightest conception of what an unscrupulous 
 scoundrel his proposed son-in-law actually was,
 
 THE COMPACT. 45 
 
 would have shuddered at the bare idea of giv- 
 ing her to him. But dazzled by the title, he 
 forgot his accustomed caution, and made no 
 effort to ascertain what was the nature and 
 previous life of this stranger to whom he was 
 about to surrender his child. It was a piti- 
 able weakness, but on one point the understand- 
 ing of the shrewd trader was warped. He was 
 mad to see his pearl — his daughter — a lady.
 
 CHAPTEE IV. 
 
 UNDER THE LIME TREES." 
 
 Zweidorf was laid out somewhat in the form 
 of an isosceles triangle. If you can conceive 
 the base slightly curved and the extreme 
 apex cut off diagonally, that represents 
 Zweidorf as near as I can describe it to you. 
 The two principal gates of the city stood at 
 the angles of the base of the triangle, and a 
 straight road bordered with a double avenue 
 of lime trees led from the one to the other. 
 The centre roadway was of course for 
 wheeled and other traffic, running through 
 the town ; while the walks under the trees 
 were plentifully garnished with seats, and 
 constituted the principal promenade of the
 
 UNDER THE LIME TREES. 47 
 
 city. The market-place stood about the 
 centre of the triangle, and the main streets 
 diverging right and left respectively from 
 the gates ran into it. At the obtuse angle 
 of the apex was the third and by far the 
 least important gate of the city. Further, if 
 I say that all the better part of the town lay 
 to the south or base side of the triangle, 
 and that the apex or north side was the poorer 
 quarter, I trust you may have some general 
 idea of Zweidorf. The two principal gates, I 
 may add, took their names from the points 
 of the compass, and were known as the West 
 Thor and Ost Thor respectively. The third 
 gate had acquired the name of the Hinter- 
 pforte, or the back door, for so it was deemed 
 by all the frequenters or inhabitants of 
 Zweidorf. It was little used except by the 
 country people who lived upon that side of 
 the city. 
 
 It is a lovely summer night, and the towns- 
 folk young and old are sitting or sauntering
 
 48 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 under the lime trees in considerable numbers. 
 The gay dresses of the girls, as they flit 
 backwards and forwards in the clear soft moon- 
 light, give an animation to the scene that 
 would be sadly wanting in these days in our 
 country. Women in those times wore bright - 
 coloured petticoats and high-tinted bodices, 
 which were not considered the least unsuit- 
 able to their station, and which were becom- 
 ing. Nowadays we all ape our betters. 
 
 But the young men and maidens of Zwei- 
 dorf, chattering and flirting under the lime 
 trees, were before the age of imitation. They 
 only opened their eyes and stared when an 
 occasional equipage of rank swept through 
 their town, and never dreamt of immediately 
 burlesquing the costumes of the occupants 
 thereof. There was much light laughter and 
 pleasure-talk on the Linden, as the promenade 
 was called, that summer's night. Portly 
 burghers sent forth clouds from their big 
 china-bowled pipes, and comfortable matrons
 
 UNDER THE LIME TREES. 49 
 
 strewed the benches clucking like hens when 
 Katchen or Gretchen eluded their vigilance, 
 and sauntered away with some good-looking 
 ne'er-to-do-well Hans whose soft speeches 
 they were not willing their daughters should 
 listen to. 
 
 There was a part of the Linden which, 
 thrown rather more in shade than the rest 
 of the promenade by the immediate vicinity 
 of the city wall, was much affected by lovers. 
 A pair are strolling there now engaged in 
 earnest conversation, who are worth looking 
 at. As the girl turns her face to the moon- 
 light, one can mark the rich masses of chest- 
 nut hair coiled deftly into a knot at the back 
 of the head, and surmounted by a little 
 coquettish cap of scarlet broidered with gold, 
 something such as is worn by a hussar. 
 Clear, deep, earnest blue eyes, a delicately cut 
 nose and chin, a riante mouth, the pouting 
 lips of which fail utterly to conceal the pearly 
 teeth behind them, — make up as pretty a 
 
 vol. 1. e
 
 50 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 face as ever falls to man's lot to look down npon. 
 Her black silk bodice open in front displays 
 an elaborately worked chemisette, and, fitting 
 close to her form, exhibits her superb bust to 
 perfection ; a scarlet petticoat, French grey 
 stockings, and buckled shoes complete her 
 costume ; and many an eye is turned admir- 
 ingly to note the slender ankle and well- 
 arched instep of Papa Sydow's daughter. 
 She is of medium height, and has to look 
 up to her companion in her talk, an advan- 
 tage of which he seems disposed to make the 
 most of. 
 
 These tall men, they have the best of 
 their more humbly built brethren on occasion ; 
 they can always look down into a woman's 
 eyes when they are love making. Though 
 she may say them nay, they achieve a 
 last glimpse of Elysium even in their rejec- 
 tion. 
 
 He towers high above the passers-by. 
 Upright as a dart, deep-chested, and thin-
 
 UNDER THE LIME TREES. 51 
 
 flanked, Caspar Zimmermaim is a fine speci- 
 men of manhood. He carries his height 
 easily, there is nothing clumsy in his power- 
 ful frame. His bold, frank, open face is 
 somewhat clouded just now, and it is in 
 somewhat jealous tones he asks, 
 
 "And you, Gredel, what think you of 
 this gay Captain ? " 
 
 11 He's a courteous gentleman enough — 
 full of compliments and gallant speeches like 
 most of his cloth. " 
 
 II To which like a very woman you love to 
 listen," retorted Caspar angrily. 
 
 II I would rather be spoke fair than foul 
 any day," replied the girl, smiling; "and as 
 I was not born deaf, I must even submit to 
 hear what's said to me." 
 
 " It would seem that it needs small pressure 
 on your father's part to incline you to give 
 Captain von Hompesch a hearing," said the 
 young man bitterly. 
 
 " Kay, not so," cried the girl earnestly. 
 
 e 2 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
 
 52 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 "I do but mock that jealousy you affect. 
 In your heart Captain von Hompesch causes 
 you little uneasiness. Is it not so ? You 
 would not surely do me so much wrong as 
 to say otherwise," and the blue eyes gazed 
 truthfully and eagerly into her lover's face 
 for an answer to her question. 
 
 " No, my darling ; I'd set my life on your 
 truth and constancy, but things are working 
 askew just now. I feel as if my plane were 
 running against the grain of the wood. A 
 year ago only, and your father was willing 
 that I should wed you as soon as my business 
 was a little more extended, Now, though my 
 craft thrives bravely, he gives me cold looks 
 and scant welcome." 
 
 Gredel laid her little hand upon his arm, 
 and it was in soft low pleading tones that she 
 replied, 
 
 " Be but patient, Caspar. Bear in mind 
 that if his head is turned with this idea of 
 his daughter becoming a lady, mine is not.
 
 UNDER THE LIME TREES. 53 
 
 Dear father he loves me much although he 
 mistakes the way to make me happy." 
 
 "It is all very well to say be patient, 
 Gredel. But I grow uneasy. They say there 
 are weapons in Cupid's armoury that fit not 
 honest men's hands. I have heard these 
 soldier-gallants have stock of wiles we plain 
 burghers know not of." 
 
 " 'Twould be a trick worth knowing that 
 should make a maiden say Yes, when her 
 will said No," cried Gredel, laughing. 
 
 "Tush! I fear not that, Gredel. But 
 there are strange stories afloat about these 
 recruiting gentry. Stories of likely men 
 decoyed across the frontier and made take 
 service whether they will or no. They say 
 Hans Klopstock, the mason, has been missing 
 these ten days. The council should make 
 inquiry, and rid the town of such vermin if 
 it be true." 
 
 " You are hard on them, I think, Caspar ; 
 surely they molest no man against his will."
 
 54 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " They take advantage of his necessities, 
 or hold him to the rash words he babbled in 
 his cups," replied Zimmermann. 
 
 "I have heard it so whispered. Bnt 
 father says those Zweidorf has so lost are of 
 a kind Zweidorf can well spare. But it gets 
 late, I must go home, Caspar." 
 
 They crossed the road and strolled on 
 towards the market-place in silence, broken 
 at last by Zimmermann. 
 
 " Gredel," he said, " promise me not to go 
 outside the gates nor abroad, except by day, 
 unless I am with you." 
 
 " Why, Caspar," laughed the girl merrily, 
 " they would never take me to carry a gun. 
 Besides, report has it this King of Prussia 
 likes tall soldiers. Stop," said Gredel, with 
 an imperious stamp of her little foot. " Look, 
 sir ! " she cried drawing herself up to her 
 full height. "What do you think? I fear 
 they'd deem me wanting of inches," and again 
 her laughter rang out musically on the night.
 
 UNDER THE LIME TREES. 55 
 
 u Tis no subject to jest on, girl," retorted 
 her lover testily. " Crimpers of men may 
 likely become kidnappers of women." 
 
 " Nonsense, Caspar, these soldiers want no 
 women for their marching and marauding 
 work. It is you that stand most in danger.'' 
 
 "I!" shouted Caspar Zimmermann. "I 
 like that ; ha, ha, ha ! What, you think I 
 cannot take care of myself in the good town 
 of Zweidorf ? " and suddenly seizing his sweet- 
 heart round the waist, the young giant lifted 
 her from the ground, and exclaimed, "Do 
 I look a man to be pressed against his 
 will?" 
 
 " Caspar, Caspar, how dare you ?" cried the 
 girl. "Put me down this instant or- I'll 
 never speak to you again." As her feet 
 touched the ground the old mocking spirit 
 returned to her, and mimicking his former 
 speech she said gravely, " 'Tis no subject to 
 jest on, sir. Hans Klopstock was a proper 
 man enough."
 
 56 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " Aye, but Hans was ever free with the 
 wine cup, and wont to stoop to the lure of 
 the first light o 1 love that blinked her eye 
 at him." 
 
 "Well, I don't believe these tales of men 
 carried off against their will," retorted Gredel, 
 as they paused at the archway of the ' Golden 
 Eagle.' " 'Tis like enough Hans grew valiant 
 in his cups, and made a bargain he repents 
 of. Nay, come in, Caspar, you'll not meet 
 my father, to-night he sups with the burgo- 
 master, and they'll hardly separate this hour 
 yet ; besides I have work for you. The hinge 
 of my knitting-box has got loosened and you 
 must put it straight for me. 
 
 Caspar followed his mistress into the big 
 parlour of the ' Golden Eagle,' where they 
 found only Martha industriously knitting. 
 
 " Good evening, Herr Zimmermann," she 
 exclaimed, smiling. " I should have felt 
 easier had I known that Gredel was in your 
 charge."
 
 UNDER THE LIME TREES. 57 
 
 " And who else should be taking care of 
 her, pray ? n asked Caspar. 
 
 " No one, by rights, but when you are 
 bachelor to the prettiest girl in Zweidorf, 
 Herr Zimmermann, if you neglect your duties 
 your post is soon filled." 
 
 " Here it is, Caspar," exclaimed Gredel, 
 as she came forward with the broken knitting- 
 box in her hand. " You'll let me have it 
 again soon, won't you ? n 
 
 " Yes, to-morrow ; and now good-night, 
 sweetheart. I'll not run the risk of meeting 
 your father longer," and having pressed his 
 lips to her cheek and nodded farewell to 
 Martha, Caspar took his departure. 
 
 Seating herself in the window, Gredel 
 fell into sweet meditation upon her past 
 evening. A smile came over her pretty face 
 as she recalled her lover's outbreak of incipient 
 jealousy. Very dear had that been to the 
 girl. It had proved the sincerity of Caspar's 
 passion, and enabled her to gratify woman's
 
 53 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 natural proclivity to tease. Few women 
 could have resisted the temptation under 
 such circumstances. Then she fell to think- 
 ing over their talk about the kidnapping that 
 Caspar said was rumoured to have taken place. 
 Idle gossip she thought, and she could not 
 refrain from a triumphant little laugh as she 
 pictured to herself such an attempt on Caspar 
 himself. Caspar, who was strong enough 
 to almost pick up an ordinary man in either 
 hand. Then she reflected a little ruefully 
 on the cold reception her father now accorded 
 her lover, and how persistent he was in advo- 
 cating the Baron von Hompesch's claims. 
 But she consoled herself with the recollec- 
 tion that her father loved her very dearly, 
 and that she could not be married without 
 her own consent after all. So renewing a 
 vow that she had made more than once, namely, 
 to marry no one but Caspar Zimmermann, 
 Gredel once more felt tolerably comfortable 
 about her future prospects.
 
 UNDER THE LIME TREES. 59 
 
 But all this was extremely hard upon 
 Martha. Gredel had been talking the whole 
 evening, while Martha had been constrained 
 to solace herself by listening to the monoto- 
 nous click of her own knitting-needles. 
 If ever there was a damsel whose tongue 
 protested against want of employment it was 
 Martha. She had a speciality for conver- 
 sation, and, quick, shrewd-witted as she was, 
 would have carried on a monologue with a 
 cretin sooner than have allowed that irre- 
 pressible member to rust for want of employ- 
 ment. 
 
 For a time she respected her mistress's 
 silence, trusting that she would be constrained 
 to speak of her love affair before long. 
 Martha's experience told her that a girl must 
 speak of such matter to somebody, and she 
 knew that she was deep in Gredel's confi- 
 dence. 
 
 At last the silence grew more than she 
 could bear, so with a sharp click of her
 
 60 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 knitting-needles, she suddenly exclaimed with 
 an arch smile, 
 
 " 'Too many lovers will puzzle a maid/ 
 quoth the old ballad. That may be if the 
 maid be foolish, but, for my part, I've never 
 had more than I could well do with." 
 
 " I have one I could well spare you," 
 replied Gredel, laughing ; " if I did but 
 know how to hand him over to you." 
 
 " You have no more than you need," 
 retorted Martha. " One to indulge and 
 one to torment. One to idle with when 'tis all 
 sunshine, and another to bear the foul weather 
 of your temper ? " 
 
 u Then, you think we all need two ? " 
 
 " Aye, if we can come by them. And 
 there are those amongst us can do with more, 
 though the more the fish the worse the catch 
 has been ofttimes said of angling for husbands. 
 'Tis a pity you don't fancy Captain von Hom- 
 pesch, for I am well paid to sing his praises 
 in your ear."
 
 UNDER THE LIME TREES. 61 
 
 " You, Martha ! "j exclaimed Gredel, rising. 
 "By whom?" 
 
 " That's my secret, but mark you, Gredel, 
 this gallant Captain is in earnest 'bout his 
 wooing." 
 
 " I presume so," retorted the girl, with 
 a toss of her head. " But what is it you 
 mean ? " 
 
 " When men buy the maid, they commonly 
 mean mischief to the mistress," replied 
 Martha sententiously. " I think this gay 
 Captain likely to hold everything fair in the 
 prosecution of his suit." 
 
 " You dream ! " replied Gredel ; but she 
 continued laughing, " what service do you 
 mean to render to your new master ? " 
 
 " I mean to take all I can get, and tell 
 what lies may serve my turn. If that be 
 not chambermaid's law, then I have served 
 the ' Golden Eagle ' these three years to small 
 account." 
 
 " But, Martha, what do you suspect of
 
 62 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 Captain von Hompesch; Does he mean 
 harm to Caspar ? " 
 
 " Well, his love for you bodes no good 
 to Caspar at all events. I don't know what 
 to think. But, Gredel, I would have you 
 cautious in your dealings with the Captain. 
 Believe me, neither he nor his men are likely 
 to stand at anything that may serve their 
 purposes. T have taken their money, and 
 let that lying Sergeant suppose that he has 
 bought me. You couldn't believe that of 
 me, Gredel, could you ? " and Martha looked 
 a little anxiously into her mistress's face. 
 
 "No, Martha," replied the girl, smiling, 
 and taking the chambermaid's hand in hers, 
 "you have been too staunch a friend these 
 three years to let me think you could play 
 me false now." 
 
 " Bless you for that, my darling," cried 
 the chambermaid kissing her. "These men 
 would fain try their wine-soaked wits against 
 a woman's. Let them. I take the money
 
 UNDER THE LIME TREES. 63 
 
 because it may as well come into my pocket 
 as go elsewhere ; besides, I may gather some- 
 what of their intentions by appearing to 
 serve them. But, never doubt I'm true to 
 you and Caspar, whatever I may seem." 
 
 " I trust you thoroughly," returned Gredel, 
 " and now I must to bed. I shall leave you 
 to let in my father and close the house. 
 Good-night." 
 
 "Yes," muttered Martha, as she resumed 
 her knitting, " you're in earnest, Captain von 
 Hompesch, I can see ; but you put no wedding- 
 ring on Gredel's ringer, nevertheless."
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 SERGEANT HOFFMANN 's DILEMMA. 
 
 Casper Zimmermann said no more than the 
 truth when he said there were strange stories 
 current in the city regarding the proceedings 
 of Baron von Hompesch and his coadjutors. 
 More than one strapping young fellow who 
 had shown a preference for the soldiers' com- 
 pany, and been seen much about and drinking 
 with them, had suddenly disappeared. True 
 it is that Hoffmann and his comrades when 
 questioned, replied frankly that those inquired 
 after had enlisted and been sent across the 
 frontier to join the nearest Prussian military 
 station. But it was remarked that the 
 majority of these volunteers had neither men-
 
 SERGEANT HOFFMANN'S DILEMMA. 65 
 
 tioned their intention to their friends nor bid 
 them adieu previous to departure. "When such 
 comments were made to Sergeant Hoffmann, 
 he answered mockingly that when the route 
 come, soldiers for the most part repudiated 
 being snivelled over by their relations, and 
 that it was considered more orthodox in the 
 profession to have a rouse with your brethren 
 in arms than to shed tears with your sweet 
 heart. Still an uneasy feeling began to get 
 abroad in Zweidorf that some foul play took 
 place about these enlistments. It was true, 
 as Herr Sydow pointed out, that it was princi- 
 pally the black sheep of the city that had dis- 
 appeared so far. Wild spirits addicted to wine 
 and wenching, and who were equally likely 
 to list or fly the town from debt or other 
 embarrassment. 
 
 But the vanishing of Hans Klopstock had 
 created considerable surprise amongst the 
 townspeople. He was a well-to-do stone- 
 mason, and though known to be rather a wild 
 
 vol. 1. F
 
 66 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 young fellow, was equally known to be earning 
 large wages as a foreman at the yard where 
 he worked. If he was not so steady as his 
 friends could have wished, rather too apt per- 
 haps to join in a revel or succumb to the fasci- 
 nations of a pretty face, yet in neither his 
 cups nor his love affairs had Hans Klopstock 
 ever so far outraged public decorum as to be 
 classed among the mauvais sujets of the city. 
 A clever workman, frank, free, and good- 
 natured, his intimates all held that when he 
 grew a few years older, he would settle 
 down and become a flourishing man in his 
 trade. Many a girl in Zweidorf would have 
 asked nothing better than to be betrothed 
 to the tall good-looking stone-mason. If his 
 amours had been rather of a transitory nature 
 so far, yet many an honest burgher deemed 
 Hans had well-nigh sown his wild oats. He 
 only wanted a wife to steady him, and more 
 than one of these sagacious citizens fancied he 
 had a daughter just fitted for the situation.
 
 , SERGEANT HOFFMANN'S DILEMMA. 67 
 
 What, then, could have caused the popular 
 Hans to disappear thus suddenly, without one 
 word of explanation to any of his intimates or 
 relations ! 
 
 It was a topic of much conversation in the 
 market this summer morning. True, Hans a 
 year or two back had been wont to vanish from 
 sight at intervals, and been able to give but 
 lame excuse for so doing on his return. People 
 had shook their heads and smiled at such irre- 
 gularities, but ten days was an absence that 
 was hardly to be accounted for in this wise. 
 Moreover, on previous occasions there had 
 never been wanting some friend of the delin- 
 quent who with a wink would prophesy that 
 Hans would reappear ere long. But it was 
 not so this time. It was recollected of late 
 that the stone-mason had much affected the 
 company of Sergeant Hoffmann and his com- 
 rades ; had, indeed, been seen with them late 
 on the very day of his disappearance. Rumours 
 waxed strong that the wily Sergeant and his 
 
 f 2
 
 68 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 compatriots knew more of Hans Klopstock's 
 whereabouts than any one. Taxed somewhat 
 roughly on the point, and Hoffmann denied it 
 in toto. He admitted drinking and smoking 
 in the absentee's company at the ' Bush,' a 
 tavern at the north part of the town and a 
 house of somewhat questionable repute, but 
 declared that Klopstock had left them there, 
 as they understood for the prosecution of some 
 intrigue, and that he had never seen or heard 
 of him since. The townspeople listened, 
 shook their heads, but were by no means satis- 
 fied. 
 
 Now, light as he had made of it to Gredel, 
 there was no one who brooded more over the 
 mysterious disappearance of the stone-mason 
 than Caspar Zimmermann. He and Hans had 
 been fast friends in their youthful days, but 
 Caspar had more ballast in his disposition than 
 the other. Moreover, a pure honest love had 
 speedily steadied him, and though the pair were 
 still on excellent terms, their paths had diverged.
 
 SERGEANT HOFFMANN'S DILEMMA. 69 
 
 Caspar since his betrothal had firmly eschewed 
 all roystering, to which indeed he had never 
 displayed anything like the inclination of his 
 unfortunate friend. He had stuck closely to the 
 prosecution of his business, and worked hard 
 to make a home for his promised wife : conse- 
 quently he had of late seen but little of his 
 former school-mate. 
 
 The more he thought of it, the more con- 
 vinced was Caspar that Hans had been the 
 victim of foul play. He did not suspect for 
 one moment that his old comrade's life had 
 been touched, but that his liberty had been 
 interfered with, Caspar did most assuredly and 
 undoubtedly consider was the case. 
 
 11 Poor Hans ! if these crimpers, and I know 
 they are crimpers, made a set at you, I can't 
 fancy an easier subject for their purpose — an 
 invitation to a drinking bout — a note in a 
 woman's hand — you would succumb to either 
 lure ; " as he murmured with a smile, " if you 
 could but have accomplished an honest love
 
 7 o COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 like mine, you'd have a talisman would have 
 held you harmless against all such wiles." 
 
 But Caspar did not confine himself only to 
 musing, he made search himself through the town. 
 He aroused the sympathies of the citizens with 
 regard to Klopstock's mysterious disappearance. 
 He appealed to the council, and at his instance 
 Burgomaster Passauer took up the case and 
 caused inquiry to be made in every direction 
 for the missing man. The landlord of the 
 'Bush' was summoned before them and severely 
 cross-examined ; — a man of beetling brows and 
 general unprepossessing appearance, which in- 
 vestigation of his daily life by no means gave the 
 lie to. Still all this resulted in nothing. The 
 malevolent-looking innkeeper did but corrobo- 
 rate the testimony of Hoffmann, that Klopstock 
 had supped there and left the house alone. 
 Further than that, it proved impossible to 
 trace him. The innkeeper asserted surlily, 
 but with apparent truth, that whatever might 
 be raked up against his house previously, no
 
 SERGEANT HOFFMANN'S DILEMMA. 71 
 
 one could allege that any broil or disturbance 
 had taken place there lately, and there was 
 none to gainsay him. Caspar half fancied he 
 caught a look of intelligence between the land- 
 lord and Hoffmann as the proprietor of the 
 'Bush ' left the council-chamber, but the latter' s 
 evil eyes were immediately lowered, while the 
 Sergeant's with their villainous cast defied 
 looking into. Baffled but not convinced, 
 Caspar betook himself homewards. There on 
 his table laid Gredel's broken knitting-box, 
 and in the repairing of that, a labour of love, 
 he speedily forgot his discomfiture of the 
 morning. 
 
 Nevertheless, the idea that Hans Klopstock 
 had been somehow entrapped by these myr- 
 midons of the Prussian King steadily gained 
 ground in Zweidorf, and elicited considerable 
 ill feeling against Yon Hompesch and his 
 satellites. 
 
 To the Captain this was matter of supreme 
 indifference. He had great contempt for in-
 
 72 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 dustrious traders, and had achieved unpopu- 
 larity often before this when the chances of 
 war had delivered a town over to his temporary- 
 rule. Fearless and despotic in character, he 
 had usually distinguished himself by ruthless 
 severity and rapacity on such occasions, treating 
 the murmurs and expostulations of the inhabi- 
 tants with utter disregard. He showed 
 similar carelessness to the irritation displayed 
 against him by the people of Zweidorf. Ap- 
 pealed to by the council to assist in their 
 inquiry, he had replied haughtily that the 
 missing man not having enlisted it was no 
 concern of his. Let those whom it interested 
 seek Hans Klopstock. 
 
 But if Yon Hompesch looked on the popular 
 opinion concerning them with contemptuous in- 
 difference, it was far otherwise with Sergeant 
 Hoffmann. That worthy lacked the courage 
 of his superior, and was always reluctant to 
 risk the safety of his own skin. Hoffmann had 
 seen a mob rise in anger once or twice in his
 
 SERGEANT HOFFMANN'S DILEMMA. 73 
 
 time and knew that, where there was no force 
 present to control it, the objects of its wrath 
 were speedily sacrificed. The crafty Sergeant 
 was quite aware that, as servants of the 
 Prussian King, they were perfectly safe as far 
 as the authorities were concerned. The burgo- 
 master and elders of Zweidorf would be chary of 
 giving offence to their powerful neighbour, and 
 the worst that could happen to them would con- 
 sist in the being handed over to their lawful sove- 
 reign to be dealt with for their malpractices. 
 
 But in the case of an outbreak of the 
 populace, Hoffmann foresaw it would go very 
 hard with them. They themselves were too 
 few to offer resistance, and the magistrates, with 
 only the civic guard at their command, were 
 little likely to be able to control an uprising 
 of the mob. Moreover, Hoffmann was aware 
 from previous experience that nothing was 
 more likely to excite the passions of the crowd 
 than the rumour that there were trepanners in 
 their midst.
 
 74 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 Filled with these ideas, the Sergeant, one 
 morning, sought an interview with his officer. 
 
 "Well, Hoffmann, what is it?" inquired 
 Yon Hompesch, looking up from a table at 
 which he was busily engaged writing. " Have 
 you fresh aspirants for Xing Friedrich's 
 service ? " 
 
 " ISTo, Herr Hauptmann, nor likely to have," 
 replied the Sergeant. "They clamour against 
 us in the toVn and say this Klopstock was 
 trepanned. Call us crimping knaves, and 
 swear we drug the wine of those who drink 
 with us. If I might proffer counsel, noble 
 Cap tarn, it would be that we shift our quarters 
 and that speedily. We run a chance of being 
 roughly handled else." 
 
 "Tush! Hoffmann," said Yon Hompesch, 
 rising, "you were ever wont to conjure up 
 imaginary dangers. For lying, scheming, or 
 fooling your fellows, you are unmatched midst 
 recruiting sergeants. But let there be but a 
 trifle of risk about it, and you would abandon
 
 SERGEANT HOFFMANN'S DILEMMA. 75 
 
 the most promising device your brain ever 
 conceived." 
 
 " Eecruiting is best conducted by artifice," 
 returned the Sergeant sententiously. " I care 
 not to risk rude treatment and broken bones. 
 Besides, it is small encouragement to men to 
 take service when they see a veteran like me 
 with his sconce broke." 
 
 " Listen ! I have no intention of leaving this, 
 till I have made old Sydow's pretty daughter 
 my wife. The old man must be rich, and he 
 has none else to leave his money-bags to." 
 
 "Aye, sir, and Martha tells me, Herr 
 Sydow favours your suit, but — but you forget, 
 there is an obstacle in the way," and the 
 Sergeant gazed stealthily up at the Captain's 
 face to see how he took this allusion to his 
 rival. 
 
 " No, I don't," replied Yon Hompesch 
 coolly. "You mean Caspar Zimmermann. 
 Hoffmann, he must be removed." 
 
 " Impossible ! " cried the Sergeant, looking
 
 76 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 perfectly aghast at the proposition. " They 
 are making ontcry enough in the town about 
 that drunken Klopstock we smuggled over the 
 border before he'd time to clear the cobwebs 
 from his addled brain." 
 
 " That may make it more difficult," 
 observed Yon Hompesch, with an easy smile, 
 "but I'll spirit this carpenter out of Zwei- 
 dorf before many days are over neverthe- 
 less." 
 
 Hoffmann's face became pitiable to see. That 
 he regarded the risk of another Klopstock affair 
 as very great was legible in his countenance. 
 " You will bring us all to the gallows," he 
 gasped at length in tremulous tones. " Think 
 you, Herr Hauptmann, this Zimmermann is a 
 citizen of good repute. There would be a pretty 
 stir in the place if he were missing." 
 
 "You will be able to judge better of that 
 shortly, for missing I intend him to be and 
 that right soon," replied the Captain as he 
 leisurely resumed his seat.
 
 SERGEANT HOFFMANN'S DILEMMA. 77 
 
 " Then I am like to be in the worst scrape 
 ever I was yet," exclaimed Hoffmann ; " yonr 
 rank may protect yon from anght but im- 
 prisonment, bnt they generally hang the 
 subordinates on such occasions." 
 
 " Cease your ill-omened prognostications, 
 you timorous fool. A truce to speculation on 
 how near you may be to your inevitable 
 destiny. Propound me some scheme by which 
 this wood-shredding oaf may be tempted with- 
 out the city." 
 
 u On my life, Herr Hauptmann," replied the 
 Sergeant earnestly, " I can think of no device 
 by which a sober citizen like this Zimmerman n 
 might be seduced. He loves not the wine 
 cup, and regards no woman's face as fair, save 
 Mistress GredePs." 
 
 u Your wits grow sluggish, man, that you 
 can imagine but such stale lures as wine or 
 women to entice a shy bird like this within our 
 net. Cudgel your brains afresh. You were 
 wont to be full of wiles as a fox. It is easy
 
 7 8 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 to see no hackneyed trickery will serve us 
 here." 
 
 "I'd sore need to cudgel my brains, for- 
 sooth, if I would prevent that others should 
 cudgel my carcase," replied the Sergeant dis- 
 consolately. "It were easier to run away 
 with the girl than meddle with this Zimmer- 
 mann. It were more judicious and easier still 
 to run away without her. Bethink you, Herr 
 Hauptmann that there are maids fair as she to 
 be wooed in plenty and without danger," added 
 Hoffmann after a slight pause. 
 
 Captain von Hompesch vouchsafed not the 
 slightest notice of his follower's appeal. After 
 a silence of a minute or two he raised his head 
 and briefly inquired, 
 
 " Well, what do you say ? " 
 
 " I say heaven send us well out of 
 Zweidorf," responded the agonized Hoffmann 
 promptly. " I feel a choking in my throat 
 now at the bare thought of how tight a cravat 
 I may wear ere many days be over."
 
 SERGEANT HOFFMANN'S DILEMMA. 79 
 
 " But can you devise me no scheme for 
 the abduction of this carpenter, or is it you 
 fear to risk your own miserable skin ? " 
 
 " In good truth, my Captain, I can think 
 of no artifice that would stand us in stead at 
 present." 
 
 " You are getting worn out and useless," 
 returned Yon Hompesch harshly. " That will 
 do," he continued, motioning Hoffmann to 
 retire. U I will think this affair out myself. 
 You'd best let me find you ready to my hand 
 when I need you. Kemember I stand no 
 skulking ; you may chance to be hung in carry- 
 ing out my orders, but you're quite certain to 
 be shot if you don't." 
 
 It was with no pleasurable sensations that 
 Sergeant Hoffmann made his way from his 
 superior's room. He honestly looked upon it 
 that of all the perils he had run, and they had 
 been not a few, in the course of his eventful 
 life, he had never yet been in greater clanger 
 than at present. Whatever his Captain's scheme
 
 80 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 might be, it would be hazardous. He knew 
 Yon Hompesck's inherent audacity too well 
 to doubt that. Add to which, how could it 
 be otherwise ? 
 
 ~No device that could be hit upon for the 
 kidnapping of Casper Zimmermann could be 
 devoid of risk. Any mistake in that matter, 
 and Hoffmann was no fool when he pictured 
 the gallows as the penalty. Detected red- 
 handed in such an affair, and in the present 
 temper of the populace of Zweidorf, a short 
 shrif twas likely to be their lot. 
 
 On the other hand, he knew that Yon Hom- 
 pesch uttered no idle threat. He had before 
 now seen his ruthless Captain shoot down a 
 man for no greater offence than hesitating to 
 obey an order. He was quite aware that his 
 present chief exacted implicit obedience from 
 those under him, and was swift and uncom- 
 promising in resenting the breach of it. As 
 far as it was in his nature to have regard for 
 anything but his own self, so far did Hoffmann
 
 SERGE A XT HOFFMANN'S DILEMMA. Si 
 
 reverence his Captain. He admired that auda- 
 cious craftiness which he had so often seen 
 him display. 
 
 Though he, Hoffmann, had trembled for his 
 neck upon these occasions, yet he could not 
 look back upon them without marvelling at the 
 daring that had characterised those schemes. 
 But ere they had been successfully accom- 
 plished, he had ever been haunted with griev- 
 ous misgivings. Still whatever chance of 
 escape there might be on the other side, he 
 knew that there was no mercy for the luckless 
 wretch who dared palter with Yon Hompesch. 
 He would contrive to wreak his vengeance in 
 some shape if it were to be his last act in 
 this world, thought Hoffmann. 
 
 Look at it which way he would, the Ser- 
 geant found cold comfort. He was quite 
 capable of saving himself either way. but 
 betwixt facing the rage of the infuriated mob 
 or the merciless enmity of his Captain he was 
 puzzled. He shivered as he thought of it. 
 
 VOL. I. G
 
 82 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 But the dread he felt of his unscrupulous supe- 
 rior predominated, and he determined at all 
 events to await the turn of events. 
 
 As for Yon Hompesch, he remained for 
 some time wrapped in meditation. He had 
 said that he meant to remove this Zimmermann 
 from his way, and he was not one of those who 
 said such things lightly. What he did say 
 he at all events meant should be attempted. 
 But how? The Captain thought a little 
 regretfully of places in which he had carried 
 matters with a high hand in former days, and 
 would have hung a contumacious citizen with 
 slight formality or compunction. However, 
 that would not do here. Stratagem not force 
 must serve his turn this time. 
 
 He rose from his seat and paced the room with 
 slow mechanical walk. Scheme after scheme 
 crossed his plotting brain only to be thrown 
 aside and rejected as unfeasible. " Kidnap 
 him I will," he muttered at last, " if it is only 
 for the trouble the accursed board-splitter has
 
 SERGEANT HOFFMANN'S DILEMMA. S3 
 
 cost me to think how. Ha ! "he exclaimed, 
 pausing suddenly in his steps, 
 
 " Yes; I think that will do. Herr Zimmer- 
 mann, you didn't become a carpenter for nothing. 
 Your own hands shall work your own undoing. 
 You shall build your own prison, my friend. 
 Make much of your time, friend Caspar, for 
 your days in Zweidorf are numbered. It will 
 devolve upon me to console the pretty Gredel 
 for your absence. She'd best make the most of 
 the substitute, for her eyes will be dimmed with 
 weeping ere it falls to your lot to dry them." 
 
 And with a smile of intense satisfaction, 
 the gratified smile of a man who has at last 
 wrought out a knotty problem, Yon Hom- 
 pesch betook himself once more to his desk. 
 
 a 2
 
 CHAPTEB VI. 
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING." 
 
 Gredel in these days had by no means a 
 happy life of it. Her father persisted in 
 advocating the claims of the Baron von 
 Hompesch, dwelling with nnctuous delight on 
 the title every time it escaped his lips. He 
 got furious at any allusion on her part con- 
 cerning her betrothal with Caspar ; said that 
 was a piece of nonsense he insisted should be 
 put an end to, and gave Herr Zimmermann 
 himself to understand that he had other views 
 regarding his daughter ; that his persistence 
 in his suit was taking a mean advantage of the 
 hold he had gained over a mere child's affec- 
 tions, that his presence at the l Golden Eagle'
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING. S5 
 
 was far more frequent than welcome ; and that 
 had his house been other than an inn, and so, 
 in a manner to speak, open to all, the door had 
 long since been closed in his face. 
 
 Caspar bore all this as meekly as he could. 
 Proposed fathers-in-law have to be treated with 
 respect even in these irreverent days, much 
 more so in the times of which I am writing. To 
 say that he did not feel bitter on the subject 
 would of course be absurd. But he felt 
 assured of Gredel's constancy, and the girl 
 ever pleaded that he should show consideration 
 for her father ; that her father, loved her dearly, 
 though now distraught about this new hobby 
 of making her a lady ; and that if he, Caspar, 
 would but be patient all would come right 
 in the end. So Caspar consoled himself 
 with such stolen interviews as his sweetheart 
 could accord him, and timed his visits to the 
 ' Golden Eagle' so as not to run across Papa 
 Sydow. 
 
 The Baron was a source of much annoyance
 
 86 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 to the girl. That crafty manoeuvrer prosecuted 
 his advances in the most insidious manner. 
 Without exactly giving her a chance to lay 
 hold of, he had assumed the position of an 
 accredited and accepted lover. He only 
 smiled at her ebullitions of temper. He gave 
 her no chance of positively rejecting his 
 addresses, never proceeding quite far enough 
 to admit a rebuff. But, nevertheless, asserting 
 by manner more than words an authority over 
 her that made Gredel gnash her pretty white 
 teeth with impotent indignation. He said 
 nothing that she could precisely reply to, and 
 yet he was continually demonstrating by his 
 actions a sort of proprietorship of her that made 
 the girl foam with anger. Fifty times she had 
 vowed to herself to bear with this no longer, 
 but no eel was more difficult to fairly grapple 
 with than the crafty Captain. 
 
 Gredel is seated in one of the two stunted 
 bay-windows of the common room busied about 
 some 'broidery work, and musing in somewhat
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING. 87 
 
 sombre fashion over the tangled skein of her 
 love affair. The snn wreaths his golden rays 
 lovingly around her chestnut tresses, and very 
 fair to look upon is Papa Sydow's daughter 
 this summer morning. Her deep blue open 
 jacket, with silken vest and petticoat of lighter 
 hue, set off her dazzling complexion and well- 
 rounded figure to perfection. The room is 
 vacant save herself, and Gredel is left to her 
 work and her reflections for entertainment. 
 Not likely that will long be the case. Gredel, 
 casting a somewhat absent glance through the 
 window, which by the way looks into the 
 street, sees her father and a companion of 
 whom she catches but a slight glimpse pass up 
 the archway. A matter of much indifference 
 to the girl, at least so she thinks, but calculated 
 to rouse her from her day-dreams pretty 
 effectually nevertheless, as the sequel will 
 show. 
 
 A couple of minutes and then Herr Sydow 
 enters the room.
 
 88 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " I thought I saw Captain von Hompesch 
 with you, father," said Gredel idly. 
 
 " So he was, child. He only stops a 
 moment to speak with some one outside. Gad, 
 it augurs well for a man's suit," continued the 
 innkeeper, chuckling, " when a wench keeps 
 such keen eye on his comings and goings." 
 
 " Don't build much upon that," replied 
 Gredel sharply. "I notice but his coming as 
 a prelude to his going, for about the latter I am 
 always much concerned." 
 
 " Tut, tut, girl, don't be so pert. This 
 Captain would fain make a lady of you. I 
 insist on it that you treat him with courtesy." 
 
 " Let him ask no more than courtesy and he 
 shall have no cause to complain," retorted 
 Gredel, now thoroughly aroused for battle. 
 
 " And if he should ask more, why can't you 
 answer him k Yes ' like a reasonable woman ? " 
 
 u You forget, father," replied the girl 
 proudly, " that I pledged my troth to Caspar 
 with your full consent."
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING. 89 
 
 " Bah ! " retorted Herr Sydow, as lie fid- 
 geted about the room, speaking more at his 
 daughter than to her. " Some nonsense there 
 was between you as children, but what has 
 that to do with to-day ? The ' Golden Eagle ' 
 was but a sickly bird in those times. ISTow," 
 he continued, as his voice swelled with elation, 
 "he is strong of wing and sleek of plumage. 
 No house in Zweidorf does a better business. 
 I look for a better match for thee, Gredel, 
 than I could have hoped for then. Herr 
 Sydow's daughter is mate for something more 
 than a master carpenter now." 
 
 " And you would have your daughter 
 break her plighted troth because we are 
 richer now than when she gave it. Father, 
 you cannot surely counsel me that." 
 
 " Hold your peace, child," cried Sydow 
 irritably, the more irritably because he was 
 arguing against his conscience; "as if man 
 never was jilted before, or a wench never 
 got over her girlhood's fancy. You shall
 
 90 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 have no consent of mine to wed Caspar 
 Zimmermann." 
 
 " And I'll never yield my own to wed any 
 one else," retorted the girl promptly. 
 
 " Obstinate hussy!" exclaimed her father, 
 " but here comes the Captain. Mind you 
 treat him civilly." 
 
 The innkeeper had dropped his voice as 
 he uttered the last words, and they had 
 barely passed his lips before Yon Hompesch 
 was in the room. He advanced in his accus- 
 tomed negligent manner towards Gredel, and 
 with a profound reverence presented her with 
 a handsome bouquet of roses. 
 
 " I lingered to procure you these flowers," 
 he said with a smile, " some of them would 
 deck your hair bravely." 
 
 " Thanks," replied the girl as she bit her 
 lips, "they are very lovely." She disliked 
 taking anything from his hand, but knew 
 not well how to refuse upon the present occasion. 
 
 " Magnificent nosegay truly," exclaimed
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING. 91 
 
 her father somewhat pompously. " I did not 
 think snch flowers could be found in the market. 
 But I am wanted in the yard ; I must be gone 
 and leave Greclel to entertain you, Captain," 
 and chuckling over his most transparent ruse 
 Papa Sydow vanished. 
 
 " I'll ask no better entertainment than to 
 bask in the light of your eyes, my sweet 
 Gredel," said Yon Hompesch as he seated 
 himself. 
 
 " Sir, you mock me," replied the girl in- 
 dignantly. 
 
 " I mock you ! Heaven forefend. Have I 
 not been at your feet these six weeks ? Do 
 I not hang upon your words ? Do I not live 
 only in hope of one day calling you mine ? " 
 
 At last Yon Hompesch had apparently 
 spoken definitely, but even now his manner 
 half belied his tongue. His easy insolent 
 assurance made Gredel still doubtful whether 
 to treat his speech as uttered in earnest or as 
 the language of idle compliment.
 
 92 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " You do but jest, sir, when you talk thus," 
 she replied at last. "I am no match for 
 such as you. It needs that you choose a 
 wife more fitted to your station than the 
 innkeeper's daughter." 
 
 "By heavens! you would adorn any sta- 
 tion," exclaimed Yon Hompesch triumphantly. 
 He deemed that the modesty of Gredel's 
 reply was but the prelude to her yielding to 
 his addresses, instead of being dictated as 
 it was by her not feeling quite certain as 
 to whether she was warranted in taking his 
 words as serious. " Tush ! child," he continued, 
 " let fall this cloak of sweet humility, and 
 lay your hand in mine as token that I am an 
 accepted lover." 
 
 " You carry your humour somewhat 
 far," replied Gredel hesitatingly. " I might 
 deem you in earnest, and not be counted 
 vain." 
 
 She was determined that there should be 
 no doubt about the sincerity of his offer before
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING. 93 
 
 she dealt with it. This mocking soldier 
 should not retort he did but jest when she 
 should say him nay. 
 
 " You wrong me," he replied. " In very 
 truth, fair Gredel, I ask you to be my 
 wife." 
 
 " And in very truth, I must decline the 
 honour," replied the girl haughtily. "lam 
 already betrothed." 
 
 " Ah ! something of that kind I did hear," 
 retorted Yon Hompesch coolly. " But I hold 
 such promises of small account. By the way, 
 he must be somewhat of a laggard in love, or 
 the priest had joined your hands these months 
 past." 
 
 Gredel's eyes flashed as she exclaimed 
 indignantly, " He's no such thing ! If my 
 father would but give consent, Caspar would 
 be quick enough to take me." 
 
 " The more reason that I should persevere 
 in my suit," said the Captain, settling himself 
 comfortably in his chair, " since Caspar might
 
 94 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 lead you into infraction of the fifth com- 
 mandment." 
 
 "But when I tell you that I love him," 
 cried the girl. 
 
 " I recommend you to forget him," inter- 
 posed Yon Hompesch. " My sweet Gredel, 
 you cannot throw yourself away upon a mere 
 carpenter." 
 
 "My station is no higher than his." 
 
 "You are one of those," returned the 
 Captain, " so dowered by nature that men 
 forget to ask from whence they spring. When 
 we admire the rose, we seek not to learn in 
 what soil its roots be planted." 
 
 There was a mixture of mockery and passion 
 in his speech, that made the blood surge hotly 
 through Gredel' s veins, and she stamped her 
 little foot upon the floor as she cried passion- 
 ately, 
 
 "I will wed Caspar Zimmermann and none 
 other ! 'Tis as well you should know it." 
 
 " There you are mistaken, Gredel," observed
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING. 95 
 
 the Captain, with the utmost sang froid. 
 "I'm not one who swerve from my purpose 
 lightly. Caspar Zimmermann had best take 
 heed how he crosses love of mine." 
 
 "And you think," cried the girl, with 
 flushed cheeks and flashing eyes, "you think, 
 working Caspar harm will commend you to 
 to my favour ? " 
 
 " I think," observed Von Hompesch quiet- 
 ly, and gazing at her with undisguised 
 admiration, " it will add considerably to your 
 beauty, if one may judge by the way your eyes 
 sparkle at the mere thought of interference 
 with the carpenter." 
 
 •' You are unmanly, ungenerous, to taunt 
 me thus ! " exclaimed Gredel, as she sank 
 into a chair and covered her face with her 
 hands. 
 
 " Hard words, hard words," said Yon Hom- 
 pesch meditatively, " and all because I have 
 lived too long to believe that a woman's ' No y 
 must be essentially cod elusive."
 
 96 COURTSHIP IN. 1720. 
 
 " But, sir, when I tell you that I will none 
 of your love ? " cried the girl vehemently. 
 
 " I can only answer," responded the imper- 
 turbable Captain, " that you have it whether 
 you will or no — and so far you are fortunate. 
 For your sex are mighty capricious, and 
 want to-morrow what they throw away to- 
 day." 
 
 " How am I to satisfy you that your, wooing 
 is in vain ? " 
 
 "My pretty Gredel, don't leap to unwar- 
 ranted conclusion. It will be time enough to 
 declare it vain when you are wedded to 
 another." 
 
 " And I'll not stay till then to call it so," 
 retorted the girl angrily, " but say now that 
 it is vain as it is unwelcome." 
 
 Yon Hompesch paused for a few seconds, 
 and then replied with the utmost coolness, 
 
 " Only I know of what woman's coquetry is 
 capable, I would say that you fed my love 
 with scant encouragement. By the way you
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING. 97 
 
 don't suppose I shall permit you to marry the 
 carpenter." 
 
 "I don't see that your permission is in the 
 least requisite," exclaimed Gredel contempt- 
 uously. " What right have you to interfere 
 with my marriage ? What power to prevent 
 it?" 
 
 " As your intended husband," remarked 
 the Captain suavely, " I shall naturally have 
 something to say to that ceremony. As for my 
 power, time will show ; but I am not likely to 
 let the carpenter stand in my way." 
 
 " You would not do harm to Caspar ? " cried 
 the girl eagerly, 
 
 " I ! oh, dear no. He is more likely to 
 receive injury from your hands than mine." 
 
 " Injury from me ! I do not understand 
 you." 
 
 " Well," said Yon Hompesch, playing care- 
 lessly with his sword-knot, "if you still 
 encourage him to entertain hopes of your hand, 
 it will be necessary to disabuse his mind on that 
 
 vol 1. H
 
 98 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 point, and he may take harm under the 
 operation." 
 
 " Ah ! " cried Gredel, stung to madness by 
 the cool mockery of her tormentor, " I have 
 heard that you Prussian soldiers are not over 
 scrupulous, but our magistrates in Zweidorf 
 bear with no infringement of the laws," and as 
 she spoke she reared her head defiantly, and 
 looked her adversary straight in the face. 
 
 A low laugh escaped the Captain as he 
 answered, 
 
 " Who talks of infringement of the laws ? not 
 I. Herr Zimmermann may go bankrupt, quit 
 the town, or change his mind ; who knows ? 
 Men, like women, are unstable in their affec- 
 tions at times." 
 
 " Caspar inconstant, never ! Fd stake my 
 life upon his truth. I'll not believe that of 
 him." 
 
 " Of course not. Infinite credulity is a 
 beautiful characteristic of first love," retorted 
 the Captain as his lip curled.
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING. 99 
 
 "I'll listen to you no more," cried the girl 
 passionately. " Had you manhood you would 
 cease to torment me. I have bid you go." 
 
 "Granted ; but that's no guarantee you would 
 not rather I stayed. A woman's word should 
 at times be construed by inversion." 
 
 " I thank you for the hint," said Gredel, 
 rising ; " and now I bid you stay, as your lack 
 of courtesy necessitates my going. I'd sooner 
 this hand were cold in death than you should 
 slip ring on its finger." 
 
 And sweeping past him with erect head and 
 the proud bearing of a princess, Gredel left the 
 room. 
 
 " A girl of some mettle and handsome to 
 boot," soliloquised the Captain, as he twirled 
 his moustache meditatively. " She piques me 
 too ; presuming to prefer this carpenter to my 
 noble self. Gad ! if we were but in our own 
 territory, I'd make short work of Caspar 
 Zimmermann. But I think I have hit upon 
 a device will serve my turn all the same. Yes, 
 
 h 2
 
 ioo COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 friend Ziinmermann, your orders to leave 
 Zweidorf are made out, did you but know 
 it. Ha ! Herr Sydow, mine worthy host and 
 prospective father-in-law, I shall be charmed to 
 spoil a flask with you," cried Yon Hompesch 
 gaily, as the innkeeper bustled into the room. 
 
 "It shall be one of the rarest," chuckled 
 Papa Sydow, as he made his way to a low 
 cupboard in a corner of the room. " "We'll 
 drink to the wedding, right noble Captain. 
 I need not ask how you sped in your wooing," 
 continued the innkeeper, with a slight tinge of 
 anxiety in his tones. " Girls will be a little 
 coy and timorous of giving assent, you know." 
 
 " Gredel and I have not quite come to 
 an understanding as yet," replied the Captain 
 calmly. "A girl considers it only right to 
 make some little demur before she consigns an 
 old lover to oblivion, just as a widow stipulates 
 for some slight delay ere she mates again. 
 They are hampered by the proprieties, these 
 women, and think a certain amount of
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING, 101 
 
 mourning for the dead love necessary in both 
 cases." 
 
 The Captain was no fool, and perfectly well 
 aware that Gredel had been most thoroughly 
 in earnest in her rejection of his suit, but that 
 he counted little. He meant to marry her, and 
 had no misgivings about eventually succeed- 
 ing. He thought it best that Papa Sydow 
 should imagine matters were progressing 
 favourably between them, because he felt that 
 the innkeeper could not be relied on to use 
 stern compulsion towards his daughter. It 
 would be no easy task to persuade him to put 
 greater pressure upon Gredel than he had 
 already done. Caspar Zimmermann once out of 
 the way, and a construction put upon his 
 absence that should arouse Gredel' s jealousy, 
 and Yon Hompesch thought he might win 
 from her a reluctant consent to a marriage 
 with himself. All this he felt quite competent 
 to accomplish. It was difficult, no doubt, but 
 difficulties rather stimulated the Captain, and
 
 io2 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 his scheming brain had already hit upon a plot 
 for the translation of Caspar to other parts. 
 
 His experience of women had been gathered 
 in a bad school, and he placed little faith 
 in their truth or constancy. He built much 
 on the belief that a girl like Gredel must be to 
 some extent dazzled by his rank, and that once 
 piqued into the idea that her lover had 
 forsaken her, she would gladly consent to an 
 alliance with himself. 
 
 Roue men of the world are wont to make 
 grievous miscalculation when pitted against an 
 honest, true-hearted girl such as Gredel Sydow. 
 They argue from the line they have seen 
 adopted by women whose lives have been 
 steeped in dissipation and profligacy, and judge 
 that the object of their present pursuit is 
 fashioned of the like base clay. 
 
 A pure -spirited virtuous girl, guarded by a 
 frank genuine love passion, is a mystery past 
 their comprehension. They cannnot under- 
 stand it, nor do they deserve to. In their eyes
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING. 103 
 
 woman is a vain capricious being much, swayed 
 by dress, show, and display. Never to be 
 deemed out of reach by a man who can promise 
 to gratify these tastes. Of the woman that 
 can really love and sanctify that love by 
 suffering in its cause, they have no more 
 conception than if she never existed. Yon 
 Hompesch was blind as most others of his sort 
 would have been on this occasion. 
 
 " But," exclaimed Papa Sydow, after a long 
 pause during which the wine had been duly 
 tasted, " you and Gredel are coming to an 
 understanding ; eh, Captain ? " 
 
 " Certainly," returned his guest with the 
 utmost composure. " She gave me to under- 
 stand even now that she could not bear 
 the sight of me. Excellent wine this, mine 
 host." 
 
 " Ah ! I don't quite see. That don't sound 
 to me like satisfactory progress," said Herr 
 Sydow somewhat anxiously. 
 
 The old man's foolish heart was very much
 
 io4 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 bent upon this match, and yet he could not 
 conceal from himself that he was working in 
 direct opposition to the wishes of the daughter 
 he so loved, that he was not altogether acting 
 well to Caspar Zimmermann, and a nervous 
 misgiving would cross him at times as to 
 whether he was indeed promoting the girl's 
 happiness by his present conduct. 
 
 " Of course it is. A most favourable sign," 
 returned the Captain as he leisurely sipped 
 his wine. " She can't be expected to overcome 
 such aversion without seeing a good deal of 
 me. It was frank challenge enough. When 
 a girl tells you she hates you, Papa Sydow, 
 you are in a fair way to her good graces. 
 She takes some interest in you at all events, 
 and that's the first step to love. From hatred 
 to love, or vice versa, is but crossing the road- 
 way when you have to deal with a woman." 
 
 The innkeeper was far from convinced by 
 Yon Hompesch's cynical speech, but the latter, 
 seeing that he had produced an unfavourable
 
 THE CAPTAIN'S WOOING. 105 
 
 impression, commenced an earnest exposition 
 of his views, and gradually brought the inn- 
 keeper round to his own way of thinking. 
 
 " It takes time. Papa Sydow; it takes time. 
 We can't expect a girl like Gredel to change 
 her lover all at once. A few weeks more and 
 she will be quite alive to the difference between 
 a Baron's lady and a carpenter's wife." 
 
 Yon Hompesch's specious arguments, con- 
 joined with the generous wine, once more 
 dissipated the innkeeper's misgivings, and it 
 was with a hearty shake of the hand and a 
 mellow " Good speed to the wooing " from 
 Herr Sydow that the pair separated.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE ORDERING OF THE CHEST. 
 
 Some two or three weeks have glided by and 
 Hans Klopstock is well-nigh forgotten by the 
 good people of Zweidorf. Folks have ceased 
 to speculate on his fate, and what has become 
 of him is a question that now only interests 
 some half-dozen or so of his near relations. 
 It is not much to be wondered at. The disap- 
 pearance of an individual under the most 
 suspicious circumstances, when everything 
 points to the perpetration of murder, barely 
 excites the curiosity of London for a week, 
 unless its avid appetite for horrors be kept 
 alive by slight details of the crime and shadowy
 
 THE ORDERIXG OF THE CHEST. 107 
 
 hints as to the unravelling of the puzzle. 
 Little wonder then that Zweidorf, stimulated 
 by no such hints, should wax indifferent on the 
 subject at the expiration of three weeks. No 
 further rumour of kidnapping was afloat. 
 Sergeant Hoffmann openly proclaimed his inabi- 
 lity to enlist a single recruit, and marvelled 
 greatly that they received no instructions to 
 withdraw from the town. Their mission in 
 Zweidorf he said might be pronounced a failure. 
 They had, it was true, picked up a few volun- 
 teers to start with, but now nobody seemed 
 disposed to take service under King Friedrich, 
 and for all the good they were doing they 
 might as well be in Brandenburg. Sergeant 
 Hoffmann and his myrmidons indeed were 
 driven to much drinking at the ( Bush ' Tavern 
 in these days to kill time. 
 
 Caspar Zimmermann wrapped in his love, 
 most selfish of passions, and driving a thriving 
 business, speedily forgot the disappearance of 
 his old schoolmate, much as it had moved him
 
 108 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 at the time. Those kidnapping stories too had 
 so utterly died away that, when the thought of 
 Hans Klopstock did flash across his mind, he 
 now had considerable doubts as to whether 
 Hans himself and his innate wildness of dis- 
 position were not quite sufficient to account 
 for his disappearance. The firmness of Gredel 
 gave him confidence and much food for reflec- 
 tion. She had told him of her rejection of 
 Yon Hompesch ; and that though that gallant 
 officer had evidently by no means abandoned 
 all hope, yet he refrained from pressing her 
 upon the subject. In his exultation Caspar 
 felt almost charitably towards his rejected 
 rival, and could afford to laugh at the chilly 
 salutation vouchsafed him by Papa Sydow 
 on such rare occasions as they came in 
 contact. 
 
 Martha alone looked askance at all this 
 apparent smooth water. The chambermaid 
 said nothing, but she nevertheless mistrusted 
 Captain von Hompesch as much as ever.
 
 THE ORDERING OF THE CHEST. 109 
 
 That he had abandoned his intentions with 
 regard to Gredel, Martha believed not one 
 whit. That he was a dangerous unscrupulous 
 man who would stop at nothing that might 
 serve his turn, the chambermaid was convinced. 
 What might be his design she had no idea ; 
 but that he meditated some deep-laid scheme 
 in furtherance of his ends, Martha felt as 
 assured as if she had been present at the 
 concoction of it. 
 
 Gredel laughed when the chambermaid 
 warned her to be on her guard in her 
 dealings with Yon Hompesch, and declared 
 that though the Captain had apparently been 
 very slow to believe in her rejection of him, 
 yet he had now accepted it as a thing 
 done. 
 
 "You may laugh, Gredel," retorted the 
 chambermaid brusquely, " but a smooth 
 tongue bites deeper than a rough one, I tell 
 you, and there's less danger under a blustering 
 brow than a smiling face."
 
 no COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " You conjure up evils, Martha/' replied 
 her mistress. " The Captain has confined him- 
 self to studious politeness ever since he made 
 so rude an assault upon my love. If he 
 brooked his defeat ill at the time, he has 
 taken it in good part since." 
 
 " And bears it none the easier for that," 
 said the chambermaid. " Mark me, Gredel, 
 that man won't despair of your hand as long 
 as he is in Zweidorf. I don't want to hurt 
 your pride, but I hold he would be satisfied 
 with your hand without your love, and that 
 there is little he would stop at to gain the 
 former." 
 
 " Ah ! well," replied Gredel, with a saucy 
 toss of her head, "I can't pretend to be 
 angry with a man, because he would wed 
 me if he could." 
 
 " I don't ask you to be angry," retorted 
 Martha impatiently. " I only ask you to 
 be on your guard, and to believe that man 
 false and unscrupulous ; to be careful how you
 
 THE ORDERING OF THE CHEST, in 
 
 trust him and treat him ; to bear in mind 
 that there's no treachery he is not capable 
 of." 
 
 " And I tell you, dear Martha, that your 
 love for me makes you foolish and needlessly 
 suspicious," and humming a favourite air of 
 Caspar's, Gredel Sydow tripped out of the 
 room. 
 
 " One might as well tell the chickens the 
 fox is about," soliloquised Martha. u And 
 Caspar, he's no better. I warned him last 
 week that when a man like Captain von Horn- 
 pesch was in love with his sweetheart and 
 thought fit to be civil to him, it augured evil 
 of some kind. He laughed in my face and 
 said the Captain had found out his mistake, 
 and given him an order for work of some 
 kind. That he had no fear of the Captain 
 now, and that his money was as good as 
 another's. Well, it's useless talking to them. 
 They are like children skating on the ice 
 and won't believe it's dangerous. When it
 
 ii2 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 gives way they'll perhaps wish they'd paid 
 more attention to me." 
 
 Martha's commentary was perfectly just as 
 regarded^Caspar Zimmermann. The carpenter 
 had quite got over his jealousy of the Captain, 
 and had of late done several little things 
 for that officer, all of which had been most 
 promptly settled for. His suspicions about 
 the kidnapping lulled to rest, his fears of Von 
 Hompesch as a rival completely quelled, and 
 Herr Zimmermann was beginning to recognise 
 the Baron in the light of a good customer. 
 One too who followed the laudable practice 
 of prompt payment for work done. A virtue 
 then as now of high standing in the eyes of 
 an artisan. 
 
 Captain the Baron von Hompesch mean- 
 while laughed in his sleeve, while Sergeant 
 Hoffmann could only counteract the terrors 
 that beset him by daily recourse to strong 
 waters at that house of dubious character, 
 the ' Bush ' Tavern. The Captain keeping
 
 THE ORDERING OF THE CHEST 113 
 
 his project firmly locked in his own bosom 
 only served to further inflame Hoffmann's 
 apprehensions of danger. That notable man- 
 stealer indeed never was summoned to an 
 interview with his chief now but what a 
 cold shiver possessed him. He felt that to 
 know the worst, to hear what was required 
 of him, would be preferable to this state of 
 suspense. Like Martha, he was in nowise 
 deceived by this apparent calm, but felt that 
 it was a mere prelude to a storm of exceeding 
 danger. 
 
 But Yon Hompesch was in no hurry to 
 develope his drama. It was all ready for 
 representation, but he resolved to await a 
 favourable opportunity. He had ' cultivated 7 
 his victim with considerable success of late, 
 if I may be allowed the expression. 
 
 He knew that suspicion concerning his 
 movements was pretty well dissipated for the 
 present. "Whenever the opportunity should 
 come he was ready. That it should be an 
 
 vol. 1. 1
 
 ii4 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 affair of chance he preferred. He had not long 
 to wait. The opportunity did come and in 
 this wise : 
 
 The Captain was seated in the common room 
 of the l Golden Eagle' one morning, conferring 
 with his Sergeant on some indifferent matters, 
 when they were disturbed by the entrance of 
 Caspar Zimmermann. 
 
 " Have you seen Mistress Gredel, Ser- 
 geant ?" he inquired. u I have brought back 
 her knitting-box which I had away to repair." 
 
 Now, there never was such an unfortunate 
 box as this of Gredel's. The hinges were 
 always getting loose, the lock out of order, or 
 the rivets that secured the brass bands showed 
 signs of starting. It was a substantial 
 knitting-box to look at, and one you might 
 have thought would seldom need repair, 
 and yet it was in continual requirement of 
 Caspar's assistance. In spite of its robust 
 appearance, it must be presumed that it was of 
 a weak constitution, albeit Martha's eyes
 
 THE ORDERING OF THE CHEST 115 
 
 twinkled mischievously whenever she saw it 
 consigned to the carpenter, and she once told 
 Gredel that it was the best go-between she had 
 ever encountered. 
 
 "Not of late," replied the Sergeant, "but 
 she will be in doubtless ere long." 
 
 u Ha! my knight of the hammer," cried 
 the Captain, " I give you good morning. It 
 is a pity we can't induce a fine strapping 
 fellow like you to join us instead of frittering 
 his life away here in Zweidorf." 
 
 The Captain was far too astute a man to pre- 
 tend to forget his mission in the city. But 
 he and his satellites now affected to carry on 
 their endeavours with extreme candour and 
 most indifferent success. He had spoken 
 jestingly on the subject of enlistment more 
 than once to Caspar, and made no secret that 
 he would gladly enrol him as a grenadier for 
 King Friedrich. His extreme openness on this 
 point had done much to banish those suspicions 
 once so rife in the carpenter's mind. 
 
 1 2
 
 n6 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 "lam well content with my trade," replied 
 Caspar. " Chisel and hammer yield me a 
 comfortable livelihood, although gay rovers 
 like yourself, Herr Hauptmann, may scoff at 
 the craft." 
 
 " But at your time of life are you content to 
 spend your days in a dull country town? 
 You're a fine fellow. A well-built fellow. 
 The sort of man my Eoyal Master loves to look 
 upon. You would be sure of quick advance- 
 ment in his service. Have you no desire to 
 see the world ? " 
 
 " "Whether I would or no matters but 
 little," replied Caspar somewhat sententiously. 
 " Those who are wanderers in their youth from 
 choice are apt to become vagrants in their old 
 age from necessity." 
 
 " Not when they follow the banner of King 
 Friedrich. He is a liberal master," exclaimed 
 Yon Hompesch eagerly, as he fancied he espied 
 some slight indications in Caspar of at all 
 events listening to his proposal. " He's
 
 THE ORDERING OF THE CHEST, 117 
 
 quarrelled with his sweetheart perchance," 
 thought the Captain, " and men are wont to 
 listen to us attentively at such times." 
 
 " Ah ! Herr Zimmermann," cried Hoffmann 
 enthusiastically, " there is no service like it 
 for pay, plunder, and promotion — the three 
 cardinal necessities of a military life." 
 
 "Hum," retorted Caspar, laughing. "You 
 don't seem to have been fortunate as regards 
 the latter. You're not got very high up the 
 ladder as yet." 
 
 " I am wanting by a head and shoulders," 
 replied the Sergeant solemnly. " King 
 Friedrich, God bless him, is wont to value men 
 by the ell ; you grow in his favour literally by 
 inches. He fancies men by the fathom, and 
 holds that to be tall is to be talented. Had I 
 but the advantage of your stature I had stood 
 high enough ere this, and if that's not truth 
 I've lost the trick of telling it," muttered the 
 Sergeant to himself. 
 
 " Hoffmann says truly," observed the
 
 n8 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 Captain. " King Friedrich has a strange 
 weakness for those whose heads o'ertop their 
 fellows." 
 
 u Now yon, Herr Zimmermann," continued 
 the Sergeant earnestly, " why, nature has given 
 you the gift of inches. You have a career 
 before you. I take it you stand six feet four. 
 Had I been blessed with such a start in life, it 
 .were hard to say to what dignity I might not 
 have arrived by this." 
 
 The bare prospect of Caspar enlisting of his 
 own free will made Hoffmann eloquent. It 
 offered a solution of the difficulties that 
 surrounded him he had hardly dared to hope 
 for. 
 
 "All of that, Sergeant," replied Caspar, 
 laughing. " I'm nigh to six feet five in my 
 stockings. But methinks this same gift of 
 inches would prove somewhat to my detriment 
 when balls were buzzing about. I should 
 deem yours the more convenient size at such 
 a time."
 
 THE ORDERING OF THE CHEST. 119 
 
 " Not so," replied Hoffmann eagerly. " For 
 where in me the bnllet pierced the vital part 
 and so discharged the spirit from its case, 
 with you striking lower it would not prove 
 deadly." 
 
 " Put with great casuistry," replied Caspar, 
 grinning. " But I fancy, Herr Hoffmann, 
 there's a converse to your argument which 
 might go against one. However, it matters 
 not ; I shall stick to my craft and make no 
 experiment of soldiering." 
 
 It was with a somewhat amused smile 
 on his lips that Yon Hompesch had listened to 
 the specious arguments that his subordinate 
 brought to bear upon Zimmermann. It tickled 
 him to witness the strenuous exertions of the 
 Sergeant, prompted as he knew they were by 
 that worthy's anxiety to ensure the safety of his 
 own skin. The Captain had quickly recog- 
 nised his mistake, and saw that Caspar had no 
 more thought of enlisting than when he had 
 first jestingly broached the subject to him.
 
 120 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 Nevertheless, lie replied lightly to the car- 
 penter's speech, 
 
 " Come not to hasty conclusion, Herr Zim- 
 mermann. It's a gay life, and a smart fellow 
 like you would find it a thriving trade." 
 
 "No, I'll none of it," returned Caspar 
 promptly. " I was brought up a carpenter 
 and intend to remain one. If you see 
 Mistress Gredel, point out that I have re- 
 turned her box. Good day, HerrHauptmann." 
 
 "The white-livered plank-chipper, and I 
 thought him limed; the spiritless shaving- 
 sweeper, and I deemed my skin saved at his 
 expense," murmured Hoffmann in the agony 
 of his disappointment. 
 
 " Stop, Herr^ Zimmermann, suddenly ex- 
 claimed the Captain. " If you'll none of our 
 trade, perhaps you'll give me another cast 
 of your own." 
 
 " Certainly," replied Caspar, pausing on the 
 threshold of the door. " What can I do for 
 you, Herr Hauptmann ? "
 
 THE ORDERING OF THE CHEST. 121 
 
 " Well, I have need of a large chest. Can 
 yon make it for me ? " 
 
 " Undoubtedly, but what sort of a chest ? " 
 
 " A large strong chest. I want to send 
 some useless lumber that hampers me here 
 back to Brandenburg." 
 
 "Give me but the dimensions and I'll 
 warrant I please you," said Caspar. 
 
 "Well, it must be large. How big shall I 
 say? I'm at a loss to explain these details. 
 Hum, lend me your rule a moment.'' 
 
 " I regret,'' said Caspar, after fumbling in 
 his pockets, " that I haven't one about me. 
 But if you would give me some idea of the 
 size, Herr Hauptmann." 
 
 " How can I ? I know nothing of your 
 measurements. A carpenter without his rule, 
 forsooth. I thought you were accounted 
 clever of your craft in Zweidorf too, Herr 
 Zimmermann." 
 
 " I'll turn my back on none of my trade in 
 the town," cried Casper angrily.
 
 i22 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " Good ! then make me my chest," retorted 
 the Captain drily. 
 
 u But give me some idea of the size. How 
 can I guess what dimensions you require ! " 
 exclaimed Caspar imploringly. 
 
 " Bah ! " returned the Captain, " what do I 
 know about sizes and dimensions ? and when 
 I ask for a rule to enable me to calculate, you 
 haven't one. But I want a big chest — a very 
 big chest — big, big, oh ! big enough to hold 
 you. Ha, ha, Herr Zimmermann, there is a 
 measure for you ! Ha, ha," laughed the Cap- 
 tain, " you can have no excuse on the 
 subject of size now, my friend." 
 
 "These are singular directions as to 
 measurement," replied Caspar, joining in 
 the laugh. " But they have this advantage, 
 I stand no chance of forgetting them, 
 having them always about me," and the 
 carp enter indulged in a loud guffaw at his own 
 joke. # 
 
 As for Hoffmann, he felt as if a stream of
 
 THE ORDERING OF THE CHEST. 123 
 
 cold water had suddenly been poured from the 
 nape of his neck down his spine. 
 
 " What can the Captain mean?" he mut- 
 tered anxiously. " Zimmermann will find but 
 little to laugh at, I think, before he has done 
 with that chest." 
 
 " You will require this quickly, I suppose," 
 said Caspar. " I will see that my men start 
 on it at once." 
 
 " Thanks, Herr Zimmermann," replied the 
 Captain, indulging in a pinch of snuff. "I 
 should wish to have it as soon as possible. 
 And, by the way, it must be fitted with a good 
 lock." 
 
 " Certainly, that shall be attended to. It 
 shall be ready for you in two or three days at 
 furthest. Stay," said Caspar, once more paus- 
 ing on the threshold of the door, " we have 
 not settled of what wood it is to be. Will 
 good pine boards serve you ? they are both 
 light and strong." 
 
 " Admirably," and Yon Hompesch once
 
 124 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 more had recourse to his snuff-box. " Only 
 mind that it be big enough." 
 
 " Never fear. Big enough to hold me," 
 exclaimed Caspar, laughing ; " I'll not forget. 
 Good day, Herr Hauptmann" and the car- 
 penter made his bow and departed. 
 
 Hoffmann continued to stare in a dazed man- 
 ner after Caspar for some few seconds, then 
 turning to his chief he remarked timidly, " I 
 am lost in conjecture." 
 
 " Hah ! my prince of schemers, I have an 
 inspiration that throws all your stale arti- 
 fices into the shade," cried Yon Hompesch 
 triumphantly. " The audacity of the design 
 too imports a certain zest to the plot. 
 
 " That means that it is incomparably danger- 
 ous," rejoined Hoffmann dolefully. 
 
 " Not at all, man. Herr Zimmermann will 
 ride out of Zweidorf in that chest. If he 
 be not at his ease the fault will rest with 
 himself, since his carriage will be of his own 
 building."
 
 THE ORDERING OF THE CHEST. 125 
 
 And once more the Captain gave vent to a 
 fit of low, almost silent laughter, peculiar to 
 himself when his fancy was greatly 
 tickled. 
 
 " But how is he to be got into it ? " inquired 
 Hoffmann, with a stare of hopeless bewilder- 
 ment. " It were easy to do what we would 
 with him were that lock you laid such stress 
 on once turned upon him. Force is out of the 
 question, it would bring the whole town about 
 our ears. It strikes me there is a link wanting 
 in your scheme there, Herr Hauptmann. 
 
 " He will make no resistance," replied Yon 
 Hompesch gravely. " There will never be 
 dead man coffined more quietly than he." 
 
 A shudder ran through Hoffmann's frame, 
 and for a second or two he was too much 
 absorbed in his own probable danger to speak. 
 At last he faltered out, u You wouldn't do 
 him violence surely ? " 
 
 "Tush ! man," replied Yon Hompesch jeer- 
 ingly. " Do you suppose I have quite forgot
 
 126 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 my trade. King Friedrich cares not for tall 
 fellows except they be living. You shall 
 see him step inside that chest like a tame 
 monkey. I seek not to end his life, but his 
 courtship. ,,
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 "under false pretences." 
 
 Martha, that lynx-eyed chambermaid of the 
 1 Golden Eagle,' still suspicious and unbelieving 
 with regard to Captain von Hompesch taking 
 his rejection as final, watches jealously that 
 gallant officer's every movement. Albeit she 
 has taken payment from the opposition, there 
 is no one more loyal than she to the lovers. 
 If she has accepted gratuities from the Captain, 
 it is but to throw him off his guard, and in 
 observance of all chambermaid's law, as she 
 herself says. A spy in the enemy's camp is 
 ever serviceable, but upon this occasion Martha 
 takes little by her treason. The Captain 
 places little faith in her. He is not of the
 
 128 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 kind that babble forth their schemes ere they 
 be well ripe, and even to those he depends on 
 most is wont to be chary of his confidence. 
 Even his right-hand man Hoffmann is not as 
 yet aware of his master's intentions. He 
 knows no more than that the chest he heard 
 ordered is destined to work Caspar's destruction, 
 or, to speak more correctly, abduction. But 
 how that is to be brought about the Sergeant 
 is as yet in ignorance. 
 
 The more he reflects upon it the more Hoff- 
 mann recognises the danger of any attempt to 
 kidnap Caspar Zimmermann. To do him jus- 
 tice, he understands the temper of the town 
 considerably better than his supercilous officer. 
 He knows that ' the greasy burghers,' as his 
 chief denominates them, can be and will be 
 dangerous if outraged. He is aware that there 
 is a mob in Zweidorf that can be easily roused 
 and excited to mischief. These are facts that 
 Captain von Hompesch simply laughs at. 
 Accustomed to rule with a high hand in Prus-
 
 UNDER FALSE PRETENCES. 129 
 
 sia over the citizens, he forgets that he has no 
 force to sustain him here, and that in the free 
 town of Zweidorf the followers of the black 
 eagle are, though looked upon with respect, 
 by no means held in such awe as they would 
 be within their own territories. 
 
 Martha meanwhile keeps her misgivings to 
 herself. Her words of warning have drawn 
 forth nothing but laughter from those that they 
 most concerned. She resolves to depend 
 henceforth upon her own astuteness, and only 
 trust that when she next has occasion to warn 
 those confiding lovers of danger, it may not be 
 too late. Holding as she does that the Captain 
 will shortly attempt stratagem of some kind in 
 the prosecution of his schemes, Martha deter- 
 mines to employ all her womanly weapons for 
 the unravelling of his designs. Sergeant 
 Hoffmann has shown himself strongly disposed 
 to embark deeply in flirtation with her fair self, 
 and the wily waiting-woman has decided to 
 encourage him to the top of his bent. 
 
 vol. 1. K
 
 130 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 She argues that there is little a clever girl 
 cannot wheedle out of a lover, and she flatters 
 herself that she will speedily attain an 
 ascendancy over the Sergeant that will at all 
 events place whatever he may know at her 
 disposal. Good-looking women are seldom 
 novices in the science of coquetry, but when a 
 good-looking girl is a chambermaid to boot 
 she enjoys much scope for the improvement 
 of her natural powers. Martha had by no 
 means neglected her opportunities, and 
 in her own way was an adept in the art of 
 
 flirtation. 
 
 But she a little overrated her strength upon 
 this occasion. The Sergeant was a man of 
 much experience. Though insignificant of per- 
 son, and of by no means prepossessing appear- 
 ance, he was anything but an unsuccessful 
 wooer. Amongst the country girls, where he 
 might be quartered, he was generally esteemed 
 a favourite. Possessed of unfailing spirit, glib 
 of speech, and with transcendent powers of
 
 UNDER FALSE PRETENCES. 131 
 
 lying, he was more popular than he deserved 
 to be. He was always ready to promise 
 marriage, and though he ever failed to keep 
 such pledge, yet as the scene of his perjuries 
 was perpetually changing, that did not militate 
 much against him. He made love wherever 
 he went in the most promiscuous and liberal 
 manner, and this expansiveness of heart it was 
 true had at times involved him in awkward 
 complications. 
 
 Plighting your troth solemnly to two or 
 three different women in the same town is apt 
 to produce unpleasantness if the deluded fair 
 ones happen to compare notes, and the Sergeant 
 was not without his experiences of such situa- 
 tions. It was then that his great talent for 
 romance stood him in such good stead, and it 
 was rumoured of him that upon one occasion 
 he did actually pacify no less than three 
 aggrieved damsels on this score, and left his 
 quarters lamented by the whole triumvirate, 
 each of whom firmly believed that he would 
 
 k 2
 
 132 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 speedily return to make her his bride, and 
 thereby cover her rivals with shame and 
 confusion. 
 
 The Sergeant, I regret to say, could hardly 
 be called disinterested in his love. Although 
 he prosecuted these affairs to some extent for 
 amusement, yet he preferred that his lady-loves 
 should be more or less endowed with goods 
 and chattels. He was not at all above borrow- 
 ing money or trinkets from them, and the soft- 
 hearted landlady of a small cabaret he ever 
 marked out as a special victim. Such usually 
 in the long run had to wring their hands over 
 an unpaid score, much after the manner of 
 Dame Quickly when she accorded such ill- 
 advised credit to that noble knight, Sir John 
 Falstaff. And the Sergeant, in his consumption 
 of wine and strong waters, would have com- 
 pared by no means unworthily with his great 
 predecessor. 
 
 They are not badly matched, these two, 
 but the Sergeant possesses two incalculable
 
 UNDER FALSE PRETENCES. 133 
 
 advantages. First, that even if disposed lie 
 has not really much to tell. Secondly, that 
 Martha but feebly comprehends of what fiction 
 his tongue is capable. 
 
 It was with feelings of undisguised satisfac- 
 tion that the chambermaid hailed the advent 
 of her admirer the morning after she had 
 arrived at the above decision. Both Gredel 
 and her father were out of the way. The 
 common room was deserted save herself. 
 Martha saw the opportunity for a prolonged 
 tete-a-tete, and determined to make the most of 
 it. 
 
 " 'Tis not often you favour us now, Ser- 
 geant," she replied with a coquettish toss of her 
 head and an affected angry jerk at her spinning- 
 wheel in reply to his salutation. " As your 
 days in Zweidorf are numbered, you think it 
 best perhaps to inure us to your absence by 
 degrees. " 
 
 "I give you small thanks for your 
 tidings," returned the Sergeant. " I had
 
 i 3 4 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 hoped we had some months to spend with you 
 
 yet." 
 
 " Then yon go not the right way to work 
 or your cunning fails you. 'Tis hard too when 
 that slippery tongue of yours avails you 
 nought." 
 
 "It's my understanding that is most in 
 fault this morning. Your speech is a riddle to 
 me," replied the Sergeant, as he took a seat. 
 
 " Pouf ! I speak plain, that is, for those gifted 
 with common sense. You were sent here to 
 'list men, Herr Hoffmann, and I've your own 
 word for it you make scant progress therein at 
 present. I presume your masters will recall 
 you right soon under such circumstances." 
 
 11 Heaven only knows. The Captain seems to 
 think 'listing a woman will serve his turn. It's 
 my belief if he could enrol Mistress Gredel 
 under the standard he'd be well content to 
 leave all the men in Zweidorf behind him." 
 
 "Hasn't she told him she'll none of him ?" 
 replied Martha sharply.
 
 UNDER FALSE PRETENCES. 135 
 
 " That may be, but it don't at all follow he'll 
 none of her. She's not the less likely to be 
 his bride on that account." 
 
 The chambermaid's eyes sparkled ; she had 
 but to encourage this lover of hers a little 
 to turn his brain inside out. It was far 
 easier than she looked for, and a saucy smile 
 wreathed her lips at the thought. 
 
 " I admire a man like that," she said at 
 length. " A man who refuses to leave his 
 love behind him whether she will or no. 
 Most of you are only too glad to be quit of 
 us. It would be long, Herr Hoffmann, ere 
 you ran away with a maid, either with or 
 without her consent," and Martha shot a 
 most provocative glance from beneath her 
 dark lashes at her companion. 
 
 " I have not the Captain's boldness in 
 such matters, I confess," replied the Sergeant 
 responding at once to the challenge. " Yet if 
 I had but her consent, Martha, there's a 
 girl in Zweidorf I'd not leave behind me."
 
 136 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " I own I should be hard to convince upon 
 that point," retorted the girl as she flashed 
 her wicked dark eyes upon him. " But I'd 
 dare swear there's a round dozen of us you 
 tell the same tale to." 
 
 " May my wine taste like vinegar from 
 henceforth if I speak not in earnest." 
 
 " Do you mean that you'd take me hence 
 as your wife, Herr Hoffmann ? " 
 
 "Even so, sweetheart, if you'd but give 
 consent," replied the Sergeant promptly." 
 
 " Ah ! " returned Martha, laughing. " I'm 
 not given to believe in soft speeches for one 
 thing, and I could not leave my mistress for 
 another." 
 
 "But suppose that your mistress was 
 leaving too ? You've promised to stand by 
 the Captain in his wooing. Women's modesty, 
 you know, sometimes stands in their own 
 light, and they are not angry when gentle 
 violence forces matrimony upon them. What 
 do you say, my pretty Martha ? Should the
 
 UNDER FALSE PRETENCES. 137 
 
 Captain run off with Mistress Gredel, will 
 you not consent to make me happy at the 
 same time ? " 
 
 "Ha, ha ! " laughed the girl. "I see you 
 would postpone our wedding indefinitely. 
 Small chance is there of Gredel running 
 away with the Captain, but if you'd live 
 upon scant hope, there's my hand, and when 
 Gredel kneels at the altar with him, I'll 
 kneel there with you — when she flies Zwei- 
 dorf with him, I'll fly Zweidorf with you — 
 and may the Saints grant us life to see it. 
 It's long lived we'll be, Herr Hoffmann, ere 
 that comes to pass." 
 
 " Not so," replied the Sergeant blithely. 
 " It is nearer than you think for." 
 
 11 How so ? how so ? I don't understand 
 you." 
 
 There was a malicious twinkle in the 
 the Sergeant's eyes as he replied, 
 
 " Seal and sign, sweet, seal and sign. 
 You can't expect me to show our cards till
 
 138 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 I have evidence that you are a partner in our 
 game," and as he spoke the crafty Hoffmann 
 edged his seat in close propinquity to the 
 spinning-wheel. 
 
 "It is but a kiss, and I shall worm 
 the truth out of him," thought the cham- 
 bermaid. 
 
 " Why, what would you have ? " she replied, 
 laughing. " Fetch pens, ink, and paper, and 
 see if I am backward," and as she spoke the 
 black eyes once more flashed coquettishly upon 
 her admirer. 
 
 ''Nor shall you have that to accuse me 
 of," cried the Sergeant as he stole his arm 
 round her waist and snatched the inevitable 
 tribute of her coquetry. 
 
 " Good gracious ! don't — there's some one 
 coming — get further away from me!" ex- 
 claimed Martha as she extricated herself. 
 "How dare you?" 
 
 " It's that puzzles me," replied the Sergeant, 
 grinning. " It is always singular how such
 
 UNDER FALSE PRETENCES. 139 
 
 things come to pass. Yet if a man may not 
 salute his affianced wife, why there's an end 
 to kissing." 
 
 " How dare you speak of it ! " retorted 
 Martha sharply with cheeks somewhat flushed 
 by the exercise. "Isn't the old proverb 
 enough for you, that you must needs gabble 
 about such folly." 
 
 " It was very pleasant while it lasted, and 
 I'd rather be foolish than wise under the 
 circumstances," retorted the Sergeant. 
 
 The chambermaid eyed him keenly for a 
 moment, and then said, 
 
 "How you men fool us poor women ! For 
 two minutes I deemed you in earnest. That 
 you would fain wed me when the Captain 
 should marry my mistress." 
 
 "And is not that what I am looking for- 
 ward to," replied the Sergeant. " When the 
 Captain carries off the mistress, shall not I 
 bear off the maid, and leave these oafs of 
 Zw e idorf to meditate on their supineness in
 
 14© COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 letting the two prettiest damsels of their 
 town become prizes to the stranger ? n 
 
 " Fair words, Herr Hoffmann," retorted 
 Martha, " but I see not much diligence on 
 your parts to make them good. The Captain 
 takes matters easily. Maidens are not won 
 in that wise." 
 
 " Why, what would you ? He gives your 
 mistress time to change her mind. She 
 cannot hesitate long between an officer of rank 
 and a carpenter. At the worst, we shall have 
 to use gentle violence to gain our ends." 
 
 " Good Lord ! " cried Martha gaily, " but 
 why are you so long about it ? I can't say for 
 my mistress, but if you don't run away with 
 me soon, Herr Hoffmann, I must e'en look for 
 a more enterprising lover," and throwing her- 
 self back in her chair the girl burst into a peal 
 of laughter. 
 
 The Sergeant responded by a dry noiseless 
 chuckle. He was, to say the truth, immensely 
 amused. He was perfectly aware that his
 
 UNDER FALSE PRETENCES. 141 
 
 fair companion was exercising all her charms 
 for the subjection of his faculties — that she 
 was carrying on this flirtation with a view to 
 picking his brains. He was distilling fiction 
 for her behoof drop by drop, and smiled to 
 see how greedily it was absorbed. 
 
 " I wish I was as certain about the carrying 
 off the maid as her mistress/' he said at 
 length ; " but, my fair Martha, unless you will 
 vouchsafe some opportunity, it cannot be 
 well accomplished." 
 
 " Am I not even now chiding you for being 
 so tardy ? " retorted the chambermaid archly. 
 " Tell me but when Gredel is going, and 
 trust me to be there too. Don't mind my 
 screaming, Herr Hoffmann, and perhaps it will 
 be proper to be slightly hysterical, but I'll 
 come round time enough to be married, never 
 fear." 
 
 "What a clever girl you are!" said the 
 Sergeant admiringly. 
 
 " But when's it to be, and how?" con-
 
 i 4 2 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 tinued Martha. " On my faith if you keep me 
 waiting now that you've put running away 
 into my head, I'll be off with Andy Koptz, 
 the cobbler, though he's deaf, stupid, and 
 hard on sixty. I'll not be balked of my 
 fancy, Herr Hoffmann ; an you take me not 
 now, it's odds I fall into the hands of the first 
 comer." 
 
 "Do not mock me, Martha, for I'm in 
 earnest," said the Sergeant solemnly. "You'll 
 not breathe a word to a soul if I tell you a 
 secret?" 
 
 " I'm silent as the tomb," replied the girl. 
 
 " And you'll swear to be there with your 
 mistress ? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " And promise to be my wife when Mistress 
 Gredel becomes the Captain's." 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Give me your hand on it," and taking 
 advantage of the situation, the Sergeant once 
 more snatched a kiss.
 
 UNDER FALSE PRETENCES. 143 
 
 " Wretch ! " cried Martha, as her palm fell 
 innocuously on her sweetheart's cheek. " And 
 now?" 
 
 "Why, when the Captain tells me I'll tell 
 you," replied the Sergeant, and before the 
 duped chambermaid had quite recovered her 
 faculties, he had left the room. 
 
 "The villain," murmured Martha, "the 
 impostor, swindler, two kisses as I'm a woman, 
 and I am never a bit the wiser for them. 
 Take heed, Herr Hoffmann, of the return 
 match. If I'm not quits with you ere long, 
 may my wits forsake me."
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 " CASPAR TRAPPED." 
 
 The market-place of Zweidorf, it may be 
 remembered, lay in the centre of the town — a 
 fine open quadrangle with a fountain in the 
 centre. Four streets ran into it, of which one 
 ran from the main road on the south, a second 
 debouched into it from the west, and it was in 
 this that the ' Golden Eagle ' was situated, 
 while the remaining two entered it at the 
 north-east and south-east angles respectively. 
 In the former of these last stood Caspar Zimmer- 
 mann's house. It had a large open yard at the 
 back, in which were piled planks, sawn oak, 
 elms, and other woods, necessary in the car- 
 penter's business, and where his less skilful
 
 CASPAR TRAPPED. 145 
 
 journeymen did much of the rough work. 
 Behind this yard came the poorer and more 
 lawless quarter of the city ; in fact, running 
 up northwards towards the 'Bush' Tavern 
 and the " Hinter-Pforte," or back door, were 
 the dwellings of the unscrupulous, unfortunate, 
 and the vicious of Zweidorf. This north- 
 eastern quarter was ever regarded as a species 
 of Alsatia by the well-to-do burghers, and 
 many a stout citizen had expostulated with 
 Caspar on establishing himself so near the 
 borders of such a doubtful community. 
 
 But the premises were convenient and well- 
 placed for business — the rent was low, and 
 as Caspar laughingly assured them, his hands 
 could guard his head. At all events, he throve 
 and did well there, and at the present time 
 was conducting the briskest business of any of 
 his craft in Zweidorf. 
 
 It is a Saint's day or holiday of some sort, 
 and all Herr Zimmermann's men are away. 
 He alone is to be seen in the spacious work- 
 
 vol. 1. l
 
 146 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 shop. Caspar is busy putting the last touches 
 to a huge chest — that indeed for which he had 
 received orders from Captain von Hompesch. 
 He whistles carelessly over his work, and once 
 or twice tests it by his rule, at length a low 
 laugh escapes him. 
 
 " Egad, I must try it," he mutters, and 
 raising the lid, Caspar deliberately gets in and 
 lays himself full length in the chest. Another 
 minute and he is out again. 
 
 "Fits me to a nicety," he exclaimed 
 merrily ; " only I've no mind to be at the 
 labour of making my own coffin, I might take 
 pattern of it. But I'll leave that job for other 
 hands, I trow. It wants a trifle of planing yet 
 to make the lock run easy ; " and throwing off 
 his coat, Caspar betook himself to the task. 
 
 A very few strokes under his practised 
 hands produced the desired effect, and the 
 carpenter clicked the well-oiled lock to and fro 
 with apparent satisfaction. 
 
 " It will do now," he muttered at length.
 
 CASPAR TRAPPED. 147 
 
 ' ' I trust that will content Captain von Hompesch . 
 If he has purchased goods since his coming 
 wherewith to fill it, he has been a good cus- 
 tomer to the town of Zweidorf. I thought 
 these military gentlemen travelled with slender 
 baggage. But if it takes a chest this size to 
 hold a captain's superfluities, I would fain 
 know how many carts go to a general's neces- 
 saries. "Who knocks ? Enter, whoever you 
 are. What, Martha ! 
 
 "Even so, Herr Zimmermann," replied the 
 chambermaid, as she crossed the threshold. 
 " Here's more of your handiwork come 
 to pieces. Gredel bade me give you this 
 knitting-box back and tell you the hinge is 
 again out of joint. If your work as a rule 
 stand no better than this," continued Martha, 
 laughing, " I fear your custom must be on the 
 decrease." 
 
 " It's a very aggravating box that, and hard 
 to deal with." 
 
 " It's nothing of the sort," retorted the 
 
 l 2
 
 148 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 chambermaid, " and it strikes me, you know 
 perfectly well how to deal with it. However, 
 Gredel says she will call for it herself ere long, 
 so you'd best see to it speedily." 
 
 " I will put it right at once, especially as I 
 am to have such prompt recompense for my 
 labour," replied the carpenter. 
 
 "Ah!" laughed Martha, "I told her it 
 stood more chance of quick alteration if she 
 came to see about it herself. But what means 
 this huge chest ? What is it for ? " 
 
 "That you must ask Captain von Hom- 
 pesch. It is he who has ordered it," said 
 Caspar, as he examined the knitting-box 
 gravely. 
 
 " Then it's wanted for no good purpose, 
 I'll warrant," exclaimed Martha brusquely. 
 "And how long is it since you and he have 
 sworn friendship ? " 
 
 " I don't know that there is much friend- 
 ship between us, but custom is not to be 
 refused," continued Zimmermann with a shrug
 
 CASPAR TRAPPED. 149 
 
 of his shoulders. " As I told you before, his 
 gold is as good as another's.' ' 
 
 "But," said Martha, as she walked round 
 the chest, " what can he want it for ? why, it 
 is big enough for me to get into." 
 
 "Ah! to hold two of you," cried Caspar 
 gaily. "I was bid make it large enough to 
 hold myself and I have done so." 
 
 "It is very strange that he should need 
 so large a one," said the girl musingly. 
 "Maybe he thinks of marriage, and does but 
 show wise forethought for his wife's petticoats. 
 It were good you took the hint and made 
 another for yourself, Herr Zimmermann," and 
 Martha clapped her hands, and, giving vent to 
 a burst of laughter, seated herself on the 
 object of her curiosity. 
 
 " I would there were no more than the 
 making of its duplicate between me and a 
 wedding," responded Caspar gloomily. "But 
 Herr Sydow looks awry at me and shuffles 
 whenever I make reference to his promise."
 
 150 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " I should have thought Herr Sydow's looks 
 were small matter as long as Gredel did 
 not browbeat you," answered Martha con- 
 temptuously from her perch on the top of the 
 chest. " Listen to me," continued the girl 
 archly. " There are lovers that kiss first 
 and ask consent afterwards, there are those 
 who kiss not when they may, and there are 
 those who would have licence for what they 
 take ; which do you think a maid likes best ? " 
 
 " 'Tis riddle easy to solve, that," replied 
 Caspar laughing. " The first ; it were hard 
 on a girl to find the opportunity neglected, 
 harder still to be called upon to bear evidence 
 to her own weakness, while that which was 
 stole from her is past all remedy." 
 
 " Aptly answered, and having such 
 knowledge, why don't you act upon it ? 
 If Papa Sydow withhold his benediction, why 
 you must even manage without it." 
 
 " But Gredel would never consent," 
 exclaimed Zimmermann.
 
 CASPAR TRAPPED. 151 
 
 " Spare her modesty the pain of consent- 
 ing," interrupted the chambermaid quickly. 
 "Bun away with her first, and ask pardon 
 for your offending afterwards ; and you'd best 
 lose no time either, or Captain von Hompesch 
 may prove the more enterprising of the 
 two." 
 
 " My curse on the Captain for his audacity 
 in thinking of Gredel," cried Caspar fiercely, 
 "though all the same I fear him not." 
 
 " May the Saints be good to us," replied 
 Martha with a toss of her head. " Do you 
 suppose a man is never to look twice at a 
 maid because your worship admired her first ? 
 Do you imagine a girl is to have but one 
 arrow to her string ? " 
 
 "Hold that saucy tongue of yours," 
 retorted Caspar angrily. " I make little 
 doubt you'd find employ for half-a-dozen 
 such arrows ; but Gredel is fashioned of other 
 stuff." 
 
 His contemptuous rejoinder somewhat
 
 152 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 stung the girl, and it was with considerable 
 asperity that she replied, 
 
 " Ha ! Herr Zimmermann, say you so ? 
 Eve's daughters bear closer resemblance to 
 one another on such points than you wot of. 
 They that count fewest danglers as maids, 
 sometimes make up for it as wives. May you 
 be married, jealous, and all before the month's 
 out. Good-bye ! " she exclaimed as she 
 jumped off her seat. " Mind you join that 
 hinge somewhat more strongly this time ; 
 for whether it is Gredel has talent in breaking, 
 or you lack it in mending, that box is ever 
 needing your services," and dropping him 
 a mock curtsey, Martha took her departure. 
 
 Caspar remained for some time deep in 
 thought. "Was this good counsel that the 
 chambermaid had given him ? Had he best 
 try and persuade Gredel to make a runaway 
 match of it ? As for carrying her off forcibly, 
 or by stratagem, that was not to be thought 
 of. It was a mere whim-wham of Martha's
 
 CASPAR TRAPPED. 153 
 
 harum-scarum brain, and not worthy of serious 
 consideration." But that it might be good 
 policy to persuade Gredel if possible to elope 
 with him, he was by no means prepared to 
 deny. True it was that he had been easier in 
 his mind of late with regard to Captain yon 
 Hompesch's attentions, but Martha had ouce 
 more vexed his spirit on this account. 
 
 Then again he reflected, though convinced as 
 he was that Gredel loved him, yet she held 
 her father also in great affection and esteem. 
 He felt that it would need great persuasion on 
 his part to induce his pure-mjfcded Gredel to 
 consent to such a measure. Did she not 
 ever argue that if he would but have patience, 
 things would all come right at last. That her 
 father loved her too truly to really constrain 
 her inclinations, that this maggot he had 
 got into his head about making her a lady was 
 a thing would die a natural death, if they did 
 but accord it time. "No," he thought, " Gredel 
 would never consent to marriage without
 
 154 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 her father's sanction. I should but lose 
 favour in her eyes by urging such a thing. 
 I must needs wait patiently and trust to 
 her constancy;" and I think he muttered as 
 his brow cleared, " I may depend upon that. 
 Martha is a shrewd wench," he continued with 
 a laugh, " and it would puzzle a man to say 
 whether she be quicker tongued or quicker 
 witted ; but I fancy she is wrong about this. 
 A man to fit her should be slow of speech and 
 dull of understanding, so that he interfere not 
 with the run of her clapper, nor suffer 
 from the gibes it rings out. How now," he 
 exclaimed as some one's knuckles tapped 
 sharply at the door. u Pshaw ! fool that I am, it 
 is Gredel of course," and Caspar rushed to 
 the door. 
 
 " Captain von Hompesch," he cried in tones 
 of disappointment as he threw it open, and 
 discovered that officer attended by Hoffmann. 
 
 u I am afraid I defeat your hopes, Herr 
 Zimmermann," said the Captain with a smile.
 
 CASPAR TRAPPED. 155 
 
 " I interfere with some assignation it may be ? 
 An inopportune visit on my part, eh ? " 
 
 " INo, Captain, no ; not that altogether," 
 replied Caspar with some hesitation, " though 
 I must needs own I thought it was some one 
 else's knock." 
 
 "Ha, ha, Hoffmann," cried the Captain 
 hilariously, " this is hard on our friend. He 
 took the tap of your clumsy fingers for the 
 drumming of a girl's delicate knuckles. I'll 
 warrant the jolly carpenter receives many a 
 sly visit here on a summer's afternoon." 
 
 " Herr Zimmermann may place implicit con- 
 fidence in our discretion," said the Sergeant as 
 his cat-like eyes roved round the workshop. 
 "We soldiers understand these sort of 
 things ; " and winking pleasantly at the car- 
 penter, Hoffmann lounged listlessly across to 
 where the carpenter's coat lay, thrown care- 
 lessly on a bench. 
 
 If the Sergeant had been taken into his 
 chief's confidence somewhat late, he had
 
 156 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 received his full instructions now, and albeit 
 with much trepidation was quite prepared to 
 play the role assigned to him. His quick eye 
 had detected a carpenter's rule protruding 
 from the pocket of Zimmermann's coat, and he 
 thought it might favour the drama in which he 
 was about to assist if he could extract that in- 
 strument therefrom and conceal it. 
 
 " Pshaw! you talk idly," retorted Caspar. 
 " It may suit men of your cloth to have half a 
 score of sweethearts, but it fits not plain 
 craftsmen like myself." 
 
 " Eight, Herr Zinmiermann," said the 
 Captain with a significant smile ; " it is well 
 to deny such gallantries at all events. You 
 burghers shroud your peccadilloes as carefully 
 as the Moslem women their faces. It is part 
 and parcel of a citizen's life to maintain a fair 
 reputation." 
 
 "It is part of his capital," exclaimed the 
 Sergeant as he transferred the rule to his 
 own pocket. " The higher his name stands
 
 CASPAR TRAPPED. 157 
 
 for honesty the greater is his opportunity for 
 playing with cogged dice." 
 
 " Enough of this," retorted Caspar hotly. 
 " I presume, gentlemen, you did not come here 
 to lecture me on immorality. You are scarce 
 preachers men would pay much heed to." 
 
 " Tush ! Herr Zimmermann," said Yon Hom- 
 pesch. " It's little likely I sought your shop 
 for that purpose. If you whisper love speeches 
 to half the women in Zweidorf, it concerns not 
 me. I have come to see about this," and as he 
 spoke he tapped the chest with his sword." 
 
 " I trust it pleases you," said Caspar 
 laconically. 
 
 "Yes, I think so. But let me look at the 
 lock. It is absolutely essential that it should 
 have a good lock." 
 
 "You may rest satisfied on that score," 
 laughed the Carpenter, as he turned the key. 
 " It runs easy as a woman's tongue when she 
 has got her own way." 
 
 "Or as a recruiting sergeant's in a tavern
 
 158 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 filled with, country boobies," muttered the 
 Sergeant sotto voce. 
 
 Yon Honrpesch clicked the key to and fro 
 some-half-a-dozen times with great deliberation. 
 " There is much virtue in a good lock, friend 
 Zimmermann," he observed at last. "There 
 are some things about which we feel easier 
 when they are safe under lock and key." 
 
 " Ah ! " exclaimed Hoffmann with a grimace. 
 " it has eased the mind of many a father, not- 
 withstanding his daughter proved none the 
 safer for it when all was done." 
 
 " It is a rare strong chest though I say so,'' 
 replied Caspar. " You must have spent money 
 freely in Zweidorf, Herr Hauptmann, if you 
 have gear to fill it." 
 
 " And yet you have not made it so large as 
 I bid you," said the Captain slowly. "I did 
 think, Herr Zimmermann, you were cunningest 
 of your craft in these parts." 
 
 " I make no boast, but I'll turn my back on 
 none of my trade hereabouts," retorted Caspar
 
 CASPAR TRAPPED. 159 
 
 warmly. " The chest is of the size you ordered 
 it." 
 
 u Oh ! no, oh! dear no," returned the Captain, 
 taking a pinch of snuff with considerable 
 ostentation. " Pardon me, it must want quite 
 a foot of the length I told you." 
 
 Hoffmann's face was a study at this moment. 
 Admiration of his chief's audacious concep- 
 tion was struggling with the terrors conjured 
 up by the clanger involved in the attempt. 
 He was looking at Caspar with intense curi- 
 osity. Would he fall a victim to the ruse or 
 not? 
 
 " I've caught blackbirds under a sieve 
 just this way in my schoolboy days," thought 
 the Sergeant. "Now, if this big carpenter 
 waggles underneath and my master pulls the 
 string, I run a fair chance of straining 
 another shortly," and Hoffmann's hands wan- 
 dered uneasily to his throat, as their custom 
 was when their owner waxed timorous about 
 the evil he was hatching. u Heaven send he's
 
 160 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 brains to keep out of the trap," he muttered 
 piously. 
 
 Caspar, meanwhile, is searching diligently 
 for that rule which the Sergeant had so 
 dexterously abstracted but a few minutes 
 before. He plunges his hands into the 
 pockets of his coat, he seeks vigilantly round 
 the room for it, but, of course, without 
 success. 
 
 " What is it, Herr Zimmermann ? " inquires 
 Yon Hompesch tauntingly, u are you looking 
 for the missing inches of my friend here ? n 
 and once more the Captain clashed his scabbard 
 against the chest. 
 
 " I seek but my rule, Herr Hauptmann, to 
 demonstrate the correctness of my work, but 
 what has become of it I know not. I had it 
 not five minutes back, though may the foul 
 fiend seize me if I can put hand on it 
 now." 
 
 Yon Hompesch gave vent to a jeering 
 laugh as he replied,
 
 CASPAR TRAPPED. 161 
 
 "Good workmen, friend Zimmermann, keep 
 their tools to their hand mostly. "We soldiers 
 don't reckon much of a man who has to make 
 search for his sword when the trumpet rings. 
 That rule me thinks is well lost ; it might bear 
 awkward testimony against you." 
 
 " It is of the size you ordered it, I swear ! " 
 cried Caspar hotly. 
 
 " And I say it is not. If it is, why not 
 measure it? A carpenter without his rule 
 and in his own workshop. Bah ! " and shrug- 
 ging his shoulders the Captain once more had 
 recourse to his snuff-box. 
 
 "If I could but find this rule, I would 
 soon prove it to you," returned Zimmermann 
 angrily. 
 
 " Nonsense, I can trust my eyes. It was to 
 be big enough to hold you. If you remember, 
 you said you could not forget the dimensions 
 as you carried them always about you. I 
 fear, Herr Zimmermann, like many of your 
 
 VOL. I. m
 
 i6 2 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 craft, you are more handy at taking an order 
 than fulfilling it correctly." 
 
 " True as to the order," cried Caspar, now 
 angry in good earnest, "and big enough to 
 hold me it is — six feet seven inches, or may 
 I never use hammer again." 
 
 " Pshaw ! " retorted his tormentor contempt- 
 ously. " What boots your asseveration when 
 I can see to the contrary. The chest is too 
 short." 
 
 "Is it?" said Caspar grimly. "If I get 
 into it, will it convince you ? " 
 
 u My friend Zimmermann," said the Captain, 
 in pitying tones, "your temper warps your 
 judgment. You talk after the manner of the 
 conjuror who proposed to get into the 
 bottle." 
 
 " But somewhat more to the purpose, Herr 
 Hauptmann," cried Caspar, now thoroughly 
 incensed. "Will you wager a gold piece I 
 can't get into that chest ? " 
 
 " Tut, tut, man, you are not the first of
 
 CASPAR TRAPPED. 163 
 
 your craft who has made a bungle of a job- 
 Why be angry ? Why insist upon it you are 
 right ? " 
 
 " Will you wager ? " retorted Caspar, hoarse 
 with passion at his adversary's jeers. 
 
 " Bah ! I covet not your gold. Make me 
 another and take more care of its dimen- 
 sions." 
 
 " Once more will you wager ? " exclaimed 
 Caspar fiercely. 
 
 " Be it as you will," replied the Captain, 
 with a supercilious elevation of his eyebrows. 
 u Bear in mind the wager was not of my 
 seeking." 
 
 " See, then ! " exclaimed Caspar triumph- 
 antly, as he leapt into the chest and extended 
 himself at full length. 
 
 " Bon voyage, Herr Zimmermann," cried 
 Yon Hompesch, as quick as lightning he 
 slammed down the lid, turned the key, and 
 seated himself upon the chest. 
 
 "He's credulous as the blackbirds of my 
 
 m 2
 
 164 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 childhood," chuckled Hoffmann. " Heaven 
 only grant the townspeople may be equally 
 believing." 
 
 "Ha, ha!" laughed the Captain. " Did 
 I not tell you, Hoffmann, that the nail-driving 
 oaf would step into his cage like a tame 
 monkey. But quick, there is no time to lose. 
 Bore me two or three holes in this box with 
 that auger there, or it will, maybe, prove 
 his coffin after all. There, that's so," he 
 continued, as the Sergeant with ready promp- 
 titude complied with his instructions. " You 
 have the horse and cart without. Call in 
 the men and get through the gates with it 
 at once. 'Tis but a bare quarter of a mile to 
 the Hinter-Pforte as they term it, and they'll 
 take small heed of your cargo there. If you 
 use diligence," said Yon Hompesch, rising, 
 " you will be safe in King Friedrich's camp by 
 noon to-morrow. 'Tis but thirty miles or 
 so." 
 
 The Sergeant went quickly to the window
 
 CASPER TRAPPED, 165 
 
 and gave a shrill whistle. The men are com- 
 ing up, Herr Hauptmann ; I would we were 
 well through with the business." 
 
 ' ' Poof ! you old croaker. These fat burghers 
 may chance to make some outcry about the 
 disappearance of their fellow, so it's well per- 
 haps his Majesty is near at hand. Now 
 lads," he continued as the soldiers entered. 
 " away with that chest. That's it," he went 
 on triumphantly as the men raised it on their 
 shoulders. "To the cart with it quickly. 
 And you, Hoffmann, see you let no grass grow 
 under your feet for the next twelve hours or 
 more. It might go hard with us should that 
 lid be raised in Zweidorf." 
 
 "Forward* boys," cried the Sergeant. 
 " Depend on it I'll not loiter on the road, Herr 
 Hauptmann. I shall feel as if the rope were round 
 my neck till I am in King Friedrich's lines." 
 
 " So far all goes well," exclaimed Yon Hom- 
 pesch, as the door closed behind his satellites 
 and their burthen. "There's the carpenter
 
 166 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 out of my way ; and, if Hoffmann bungle not 
 his errand, scarce likely to trouble the ' Golden 
 Eagle ' again for some time. Now, if this Zim- 
 mermann's disappearance makes not too great 
 a stir among the townsfolk I have the field all 
 to myself. Gredel does me the honour to 
 detest me just at present. At least so she 
 says. Poof ! what of that ; these extreme feel- 
 ings are ever reactionary in their nature. 
 From love to hatred, from hatred to love," 
 moralised the Captain, as he lounged towards 
 the window, " is but an affair of a few weeks, 
 just as we glide from summer to winter, from 
 Christmas back again to midsummer. Why, 
 zoons! here she comes. It was as well she paid 
 not her visit a trifle sooner." 
 
 Gredel' s fingers scarce tapped at the door ere 
 it was thrown open ; glancing round as she 
 entered, the girl gave a slight start as she 
 recognised that Captain von Hompesch was 
 sole tenant of the workshop.
 
 CHAPTEK X. 
 
 u DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT." 
 
 " This is an unexpected pleasure," exclaimed 
 the Captain as he bowed low. 
 
 u It is possible to regard it in a very differ- 
 ent light," retorted Gredel defiantly. To 
 say truth she was mightily discomposed at 
 finding Yon Hompesch here alone. True, he 
 had of late forebore to press his attentions 
 upon her, but GredePs woman's instinct told 
 her that a tete-d-tete with, him was better avoided. 
 She had been careful never to be left by her- 
 self with him ever since the day of his haughty 
 and insolent declaration. Now by accident 
 she was driven to give him an opportunity 
 which her judgment told her had been better
 
 168 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 dispensed with. There was no help for it ; 
 there was nothing left bnt to pnt a bold face 
 upon it, and Gredel threw her pretty head 
 back as she remarked, " I thought to find Caspar 
 Zimmerrnann here." 
 
 " Ah ! He has just gone out. You must 
 have passed him one would almost imagine," 
 and a smile flickered about the Captain's mouth 
 at the thought that she had probably almost 
 brushed with her skirts the temporary prison 
 of her lover. 
 
 " I met some of your men carrying a huge 
 chest, but saw nothing of Caspar," said 
 Gredel. 
 
 " Odd you did not see him, perhaps he will 
 not be long before he returns," replied Von 
 Hompesch, smiling. " He would be dullest of 
 carpenters, my sweet Gredel, to be out of the 
 way when you condescend to illumine his 
 dwelling with your presence. If he knew 
 such a favour was intended him, he is deserving 
 of heavy punishment for his absence."
 
 DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT. 169 
 
 "I need no counsel concerning my dealings 
 with Caspar, Herr Hauptmann," answered the 
 girl uneasily. " It would be as well that you 
 should abstain from interference in what 
 doesn't concern you." 
 
 Gredel always laboured under the unplea- 
 sant suspicion that the Captain was but mock- 
 ing her in such conversation as the pre- 
 sent. 
 
 "Pardon me," replied Yon Hompesch with 
 a grave reverence, " it concerns me nearly. If 
 he knew of your coming, he is guilty of gross 
 discourtesy towards my intended bride — " 
 
 " That will I never be," cried Gredel 
 vehemently. "I have told you so be- 
 fore." 
 
 " In not being here to receive her," con- 
 tinued the Captain, without taking the slightest 
 notice of the girl's passionate disclaimer. " If 
 otherwise, he has only exhibited his natural 
 stupidity in not divining it." 
 
 " His wits are keen as most people's, and his
 
 170 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 speech infinitely preferable to that of some," 
 retorted the girl with spirit. 
 
 " Of his speech one might be better judge 
 were he here. But he has just given a strik- 
 ing proof of his intelligence," and the Captain 
 took a delicate pinch of snuff, and indulged in 
 a low laugh. 
 
 " How do you mean ? What has he 
 done ? " 
 
 " I referred only to some work he has 
 been doing for me," replied the Captain drily. 
 
 u That has been your business here then. 
 I trust there is nothing further to detain 
 you," observed Gredel, with marked polite- 
 ness. 
 
 " Two or three things," returned Von Hom- 
 pesch with the utmost imperturbation. " First, 
 there would be the discourtesy of leaving you 
 to the sole company of your own reflections." 
 
 " Thank you," said the girl, with a slight 
 bend of her head, " but pray put yourself to 
 no inconvenience on my account. There are
 
 DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT, 171 
 
 occasions upon which one quite hungers to be 
 alone." 
 
 She turned from him as she spoke ; in fact, 
 her last remark was levelled over her shoul- 
 der. 
 
 " Herr Zimmermann apparently understands 
 your craving in that respect/' cried the Cap- 
 tain jeeringly. 
 
 u I would some others understood my tastes 
 as well as he," retorted Gredel, again over her 
 shoulder. 
 
 "Secondly, "continued the unmoved Captain, 
 " I am curious to know what occasions your 
 visit here." 
 
 " Then will your curiosity remain ungrati- 
 fied," said Gredel, turning sharply round on 
 her tormentor. " It concerns not you, nor 
 does it need that I render account of my 
 doings to any one save my father." 
 
 " Excuse me, but as your affianced hus- 
 band — '' 
 
 " Which you are not, and I tell you ten
 
 172 ' COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 thousand times over, you never shall be," 
 cried the girl, stung to passionate anger by 
 his cool audacity. " Why will you persist in 
 that villanous lie ? " 
 
 " After this specimen of your temper it 
 does seem rash to persist," responded Yon 
 Hompesch meditatively; more as if confer- 
 ring with himself than replying to her vehe- 
 ment appeal. 
 
 " How dare you do it ? " cried Gredel, with 
 flushed cheeks and flashing eyes. " What 
 tempts you to persevere in such a falsehood," 
 she continued, with a disdainful stamp of her 
 little foot. " But I'm a fool to be so moved," 
 she murmured, struggling hard to keep back 
 the wrathful tears that welled beneath her 
 eyelashes; "to let my anger so master my 
 judgment. You too, Herr Hauptmann, might 
 find better pastime than the teasing of a quick- 
 tempered girl," and as she concluded, Gredel 
 threw herself into a chair, and took refuge in 
 her pocket-handkerchief.
 
 DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT. 173 
 
 But Yon Hompesch was callous as adamant 
 to a woman's tears. He was a little forget- 
 ting his end just now, and could not resist the 
 temptation of still further avenging himself 
 on the girl for her rejection of his proffered 
 love. GredePs bonny head bowed in sorrow 
 was a sight to have softened most men, but 
 the Captain contemplated her with stoical 
 admiration. 
 
 " Permit me to remark," he said with quiet 
 deliberation, "that if your object was merely 
 to see Herr Zimmermann, you show a want of 
 delicacy that scarce befits you." 
 
 " And why should I not see Caspar?" 
 flamed forth Gredel, as she reared her head 
 in righteous indignation. " I can judge for 
 myself, I trust, what is becoming a maiden. 
 What harm is there I would know in my 
 looking — my looking," and here the girl 
 paused in deep confusion as the blood man- 
 tled richly in her cheeks at the thought that 
 her excuse was after all but too transparent.
 
 174 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 u Looking at what ? " inquired the Captain 
 with a sceptical smile. 
 
 " Looking in to see if my knitting-box was 
 repaired," gulped out Gredel desperately. 
 
 " No ; not that box again," exclaimed Von 
 Hompesch with a burst of laughter. " It 
 flies to and fro between you like a shuttlecock. 
 Caspar's courtship seems a good deal mixed up 
 with boxes," muttered the Captain with a 
 grim chuckle to himself. 
 
 " They will break and they must be 
 mended, I presume," retorted Gredel, half 
 defiantly, half deprecatingly. 
 
 " Perfectly true they will. Under what 
 circumstances why always break the same? 
 A little variety would look better, eh ? Don't 
 you think so ? " 
 
 " My breakings at all events are no affair 
 of yours." 
 
 " Quite right. It is your mending that 
 affects me most," replied the Captain, with an 
 easy smile. " Situated as we are to each
 
 DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT. 175 
 
 other, I take a special interest in your im- 
 provement." 
 
 " I'll no longer remain to be the butt of 
 your insolent tongue," cried Gredel, starting 
 to her feet. " An object for your mockery." 
 
 "My sweet Gredel, pray calm yourself," 
 cried Yon Hompesch as he interposed between 
 her and the door. "lam about to rid you of 
 my presence. It would be a pity so important 
 a business as this," he continued, touching 
 the knitting-box lightly, u should be interfered 
 with. Adieu ; I trust you may not have to 
 wait long for Herr Zimmermann ; " and with a 
 profound reverence, in which Gredel was 
 dimly conscious of there being a certain 
 amount of mockery, the Captain took his 
 departure. 
 
 Left to herself, Gredel continued to chafe 
 still over her interview with Yon Hompesch. 
 She thought, as we all do under such circum- 
 stances, over what she ought to have said. 
 More than one cutting retort to her tormentor's
 
 176 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 gibing tongue came into her head now. Why- 
 is it we always think of these pungent 
 repartees a few hours after the necessity for 
 them has departed ? How bitter we always 
 fancy we could be, should that acrimonious 
 dispute be revived again ! And yet probably 
 we should be no more sarcastic in our 
 rejoinders than we were at the time. 
 Perhaps it is as well; a sharp tongue is a 
 dubious gift to its possessor. The making 
 of enemies is so easy, the making of friends 
 so hard. Talent for caustic speech makes 
 a man feared ; it may make him admired, but 
 it seldom makes him loved. That you lack 
 verjuice to your lips is no cause of regret. 
 Most popular are those of whom it is current 
 that they have but rarely ill to say of their 
 associates. 
 
 Gredel still continues to muse over her late 
 encounter. " Never did any man yet anger 
 me as he does," she thought. " He irritates 
 me past bearing by his impudent assumption
 
 DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT. 177 
 
 that I shall eventually marry him, as if 1 
 should ever marry any one but Caspar. He 
 stings me out of all temper by his insolent 
 jeering ; as if, forsooth, there could be any 
 harm in my coming to see Caspar. I wonder, 
 by the way, what's become of him. That 
 box is token that Martha gave him my 
 message. He might have contrived to be 
 at home under the circumstances, I think. 
 He can't be very far off, for here is his cap." 
 And then Gredel began to pout a little as she re- 
 flected that if her lover had only been at home 
 as he ought, she had been spared that mauvais 
 quart d^heure with Captain von Hompesch. 
 She gave a saucy little toss of her head as she 
 thought of this, and, truth to say, made up her 
 mind to be a little hard upon Caspar for 
 his negligence when he should put in an 
 appearance. Her reflections were broken in 
 upon by a sharp tap at the door. 
 
 At last she exclaimed, " Come in, sir. Oh ! 
 you Martha, is it ? I hoped — " 
 
 VOL. I. N
 
 178 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " It was somebody else," laughed the 
 buxom chambermaid as she entered. "Very 
 natural, as you seem all alone. Little use 
 telling me about the broken knitting-box, is 
 it? But what was Captain von Hompesch 
 doing here ? " 
 
 " Provoking me beyond all endurance," 
 replied Gredel sharply. "He only relieved 
 me of his presence on my declaring that 
 I would submit to his taunts no longer; 
 that if he did not leave this, I should." 
 
 " But what brought him here ? " 
 
 " His natural talent for being where he 
 is least welcome, I suppose," returned Gredel 
 contemptuously. "He made some excuse 
 that he had business with Caspar." 
 
 u Ah! yes, I remember, but where is 
 Herr Zimmermann ? " 
 
 " I can't say ; I have not seen him. I 
 found Captain von Hompesch here alone on 
 my arrival. He told me that Caspar had just 
 gone out."
 
 DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT. 179 
 
 " Oh ! yes, how stupid I am!" exclaimed 
 Martha. "He has doubtless gone to the 
 Captain's lodgings with the chest." 
 
 u What chest ? " inquired Gredel vaguely. 
 
 "Why the huge chest that was here but 
 a little ago ; that which he has made for 
 Captain von Hompesch. Didn't you see it ? " 
 
 " No ! yes, stay ; I passed Sergeant Hoffmann 
 and his men carrying a huge case or chest 
 just as I came in. That would be the one 
 you mention most likely," said Gredel. " But 
 Caspar was not with them." 
 
 "It is very singular," remarked the 
 chambermaid musingly. " Where can he 
 have gone to ? I told him you would be here 
 shortly. That proves sufficient attraction to 
 ensure his presence in general." 
 
 "He seems tolerably insensible to the 
 attraction to-day, at all events," retorted 
 Gredel pettishly. I will wait no longer ; 
 come, Martha, let's go home." 
 
 The girl began to feel somewhat indignant 
 
 n 2
 
 180 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 about her lover's non-appearance. She had 
 made up her mind to resent his neglect in 
 not being there to receive her. It was doubly 
 provoking to have no opportunity of showing 
 her displeasure and that Martha should be a 
 witness to her disappointment. 
 
 "No, stay a few minutes yet," replied the 
 chambermaid. "It is very odd ; I don't sup- 
 pose he's very far off." 
 
 " "Wherever he may be he has sped thither 
 bareheaded," exclaimed Gredel, as she took 
 Caspar's cap from the nail on which it hung, 
 and tossed it petulantly across to her com- 
 panion. 
 
 " Which shows him bare-witted in more 
 ways than one," laughed Martha ; " and as I 
 live, Gredel, he has started on his errand 
 barebacked, to boot ; " and the laugh died 
 away on the chambermaid's lips as she pointed 
 to Caspar's coat. 
 
 "It is strange," replied Gredel, as she 
 looked anxiously at her companion. " Caspar
 
 DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT. 181 
 
 is not wont to go abroad, save clad as a 
 decent citizen should be. What is it you 
 think?" she cried, as she gazed with unde- 
 fined terror into Martha's troubled counte- 
 nance. 
 
 " I scarce know what to think," replied the 
 chambermaid, in quick earnest tones; "I fear 
 there has been foul play here of some kind. 
 What could Captain von Hompesch want with 
 so huge a chest ? Caspar said he was bid 
 to make it big enough to hold himself." 
 
 "What brought Hoffmann and his men 
 here ? Why was Captain von Hompesch here? " 
 cried Gredel, with dilated eyes. "Why is 
 Caspar absent ? What can it all mean ? 
 Speak quick ! " she continued, as crossing the 
 room rapidly she seized the chambermaid 
 fiercely by the wrist. "Do you think they 
 have killed him ? " she demanded in a hoarse 
 whisper. " They would not dare, would they ? 
 Oh ! Martha, what has happened ? What is 
 it you dread ? Surely they would not venture
 
 i82 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 to use violence ! " and bursting into a paroxysm 
 of tears the girl fell sobbing at the chamber- 
 maid's feet. 
 
 " Be still, Gredel ; don't be foolish, you 
 have no time for crying as yet," replied Martha, 
 roughly. " Listen, it is little likely they 
 have attempted Caspar's life, although I have 
 strong misgivings that they have, and success- 
 fully too, his liberty. He has been entrapped 
 in some way I make small doubt, and his 
 main chance of rescue lies in you." 
 
 " In me ! how so ? What can I do ? " ex- 
 claimed the girl, as she lifted up her tear- 
 stained face to her counsellor's. 
 
 " Well, you can stop crying to begin with," 
 replied Martha curtly ; " weeping never 
 mended broken crockery yet. We must rouse 
 the town, Gredel. Mind, your lover's life is 
 at stake ; ah ! that touches you," she continued, 
 as the girl sprang sharply to her feet. " You 
 must away to the burgomaster at once. Tell 
 him Caspar Zimmermann is missing, and that
 
 DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT. 183 
 
 you suspect this Hoffmann of being concerned 
 in his disappearance." 
 
 " It was but the other day Caspar spoke 
 of there being strange rumours afloat regarding 
 these recruiting gentry, and laughed when I 
 bid him take heed of them," said Gredel, 
 struggling bravely with her tears. 
 
 "Even so; there is much talk in the town 
 that Hans Klopstock was kidnapped to serve 
 the King of Prussia. It may well be that 
 Caspar has met the like fate. But quick, this 
 is no time to loiter. Away with you to Herr 
 Passauer, and leave me to rouse the townsfolk. 
 There are plenty of lads on the north quarter 
 will show their teeth when they hear what 
 Martha Schurtz has to tell them. Courage, 
 Gredel; Caspar's life may depend upon your 
 being a brave-hearted woman now. One look 
 at you before you go!" cried the chamber- 
 maid excitedly, as she seized her mistress by 
 the shoulders, and gazed keenly into her face. 
 " That will do," she said. " Tell Herr Pas-
 
 184 CGURTSH1P IN 1720. 
 
 sauer your story quickly and plainly, and urge 
 him to close the city gates. Caspar's life 
 hangs on your words, remember, in all likeli- 
 hood, or his liberty, which is the same thing. 
 Now go, and God speed you, and recollect you 
 have no time to weep at present." 
 
 " Never fear me, Martha ! " exclaimed 
 Gredel with spirit ; "I will show myself 
 worthy of your example. It shall not be said 
 of me that I made no fight for my lover. 
 Caspar shall have no cause to complain that 
 I was crying when I might have been doing," 
 and with mantling cheeks the girl sped away 
 rapidly on her mission. 
 
 Martha gazed after her young mistress for 
 a moment, and then murmured, " Yes, he was 
 trapped into that box, I will go bail on it. If 
 that arch thief Hoffmann and that chest leave 
 Zweidorf without its being examined, my mind 
 misgives me that Gredel will have lost a 
 lover and King Friedrich have gained a grena- 
 dier. But I must away too ; I have to rouse 
 the town, and I'd as lief trust to the lads
 
 DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT. 185 
 
 of the north quarter to keep the city gates as 
 Herr Passauer and the civic guard. They are 
 likelier at all events to set about it quicker 
 when they hear my story. Stopping egress 
 from the town just now is the most important 
 thing. Heaven send we are but in time. I 
 would fain square accounts with that villanous 
 Sergeant at all events," and Martha's black 
 eye sparkled viciously as she also dashed into 
 the street. 
 
 It may be that she had angry reminiscences 
 connected with her last interview with Hoff- 
 mann. She had meant to twist him round her 
 fingers, and never doubted but what she could 
 do so, yet the Jesuitical Sergeant had some- 
 what made a fool of her upon that occasion. 
 Martha was not the sort of woman to forget 
 the affront then put upon her ; and with all 
 her genuine loyalty to the lovers, there was 
 doubtless a spark of malice that lent a zest 
 to her present proceedings. As she said her- 
 self, she would like to be quits with that wily 
 non-commissioned officer.
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 1 l hoffmamn' s m aech. ' ' 
 
 It was with his heart in his mouth and his 
 trapped victim in a country cart that Sergeant 
 Hoffmann commenced his journey. He and his 
 men escorted the lumbering vehicle slowly 
 up the Ost Strass which led almost direct 
 from the luckless carpenter's residence to the 
 " Hinter-Pforte," or northern gate of the town. 
 They had but a short distance to go before arriv- 
 ing at the barrier, and their way lay through the 
 lower and poorer quarter of the city ; a part 
 in which the inhabitants were little likely to 
 throw too curious an eye upon their departure, 
 being themselves much habituated to hasty 
 exits and entrances consequent upon their
 
 HOFFMANN'S MARCH. 187 
 
 nefarious dealings both within and without the 
 walls. All this had been carefully taken 
 into account by Yon Hompesch when he pro- 
 jected his bold design. He calculated that, 
 except perhaps a few questions at the gate — 
 questions mightily to be curtailed too by a 
 liberal douceur as drink money to the guard — 
 that Hoffmann would encounter no difficulty 
 about leaving the town. The worthy Sergeant 
 himself had expostulated much with his officer 
 on the risk he would incur; " hanging matter 
 for me should the chest be opened," urged 
 Hoffmann vehemently. " Certain death for 
 you if you disobey orders/ 5 retorted his 
 superior sharply ; " if that lying tongue of thine 
 fail to bamboozle these frowsy citizens of the 
 burgher guard it were as well stopped 
 wagging at once, seeing no more use is to be 
 had of it." So like a hunted fox the Sergeant 
 was driven to betake himself to the open, and 
 fly from the more urgent danger in face of the 
 one that looked more feasible to escape from.
 
 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 He thought, too, that once he gained King 
 Friedrick's lines, his neck was safe, and had 
 arrived at the conclusion that further stay in 
 Zweidorf was fraught with much danger to all 
 of them. It would be something at all events, 
 argued this worthy, to get well out of the town 
 before their malpractices came to light, and he 
 felt that the case of Hans KLopstock was liable to 
 be ventilated more thoroughly ere long. " Too 
 many rogues cognizant of the truth of that 
 business," thought Hoffmann, " for the facts 
 to be much longer concealed." 
 
 So, as I said before, the Sergeant with con- 
 siderable trepidation and misgiving urged his 
 horse up the street in the direction of the 
 northern gate. 
 
 If he possessed but little physical courage, 
 Hoffmann was not of that kind whose energies 
 and acuteness are paralysed by danger. Far from 
 it. If he resembled the hare in his readiness to 
 fly peril in any shape, he also resembled her in 
 his doublings to escape it. The greater the risk
 
 HOFFMANN'S MARCH. 189 
 
 the more fertile he in his resources to avert 
 that inevitable destiny that his Captain so 
 genially predicted for him. He had been in 
 many delicate situations in his time, and had 
 so far contrived to cheat the gallows by his 
 own unaided adroitness. If he was nervously 
 uncomfortable about his present business, he 
 was by no means despairing. He was habitu- 
 ated to sweat with horrible trepidation at the 
 time, and look back with Gascon braggadocio 
 the hazard once passed. It is the fate of those 
 who embrace the profession of knave with 
 imperfect nerve for the vocation. But the 
 little party reach the gate and the Unter- 
 offiziere in charge thereof calls upon them to 
 halt, and demands, " "What's in the chest ? " 
 
 "We'd best sit down here, friend," replied 
 the Sergeant, "for on my oath the catalogue's too 
 long to enumerate dry lipped. Eun over to 
 the ' Bush ' one of you," he continued, address- 
 ing himself to his own men, "and fetch us a 
 measure of wine, and see you make speed with
 
 i9o COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 it, for my tongue cleaves to my mouth even 
 now. Methinks the Captain's wardrobe will 
 suffer little by a few minutes' delay." 
 
 " Ha, ha ! " laughed the officer of the civic 
 guard. " Like a true soldier you'll not quit 
 Zweidorf without a stirrup-cup. But I heard 
 not you were going." 
 
 " It were not likely. Captain von Hompesch, 
 I take it, would scarce wish it to come to 
 King Friedrich's ears that he sent a sergeant's 
 guard about with his old clothes. Pretty 
 employment for his Majesty's veterans escorting 
 their officer's linen to the wash, and that's what 
 we'll come to next, I suppo'se," growled 
 Hoffmann. 
 
 " Tut, tut, man, don't be put out. Just let 
 me look at the top of the chest for form's sake 
 while they are fetching the wine, and then we 
 can have a talk and a tankard quietly before 
 you start." 
 
 u Don't be put out!" retorted Hoffmann 
 angrily, " with a thirty miles' march before me,
 
 HOFFMANN'S MARCH. 191 
 
 and the privilege of keeping watch and ward 
 over Captain von Hompesch's boots, breeches, 
 and such like gear during it. Donner and 
 blitzen ! comrade, but when one has served, that 
 is pretty work to be set to." 
 
 "In good truth you might be worse em- 
 ployed. ^Nay, I mean," continued the civic 
 guardsman deprecatingly, " on service of more 
 danger." 
 
 "I would it were," said Hoffmann, twirling 
 his moustache fiercely; "there were some 
 small credit in it then. Danger is to the 
 soldier as the air he breathes ; an it were but 
 a contraband cargo even that necessitated run- 
 ning you through the guts ere I could pass the 
 gate, there had been some satisfaction in it. 
 But a heap of worn-out raiment, faugh ! Are 
 there not traffickers for such gear in Zweidorf 
 that he could have rid himself of it ? " 
 
 He of the civic guard looked somewhat 
 awry at Hoffmann's cool propounding of his 
 views concerning the running of a contraband
 
 192 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 cargo without the walls — a view apparently 
 taken with slight regard to his, the civic 
 guard's, comfort or digestion. 
 
 a Duty is duty," he responded in somewhat 
 hesitating manner, "and the order of the 
 council is that all carts leaving the city be 
 examined at the gates. So just lift the lid of 
 your chest, Herr Hoffmann, a moment — a mere 
 glimpse will suffice." 
 
 " That you may make mock of my charge," 
 responded the Sergeant fiercely. l l It's well the 
 sternest disciplinarian in our service is my 
 Captain, or I'd say confiscate the cart and its 
 contents, and deem myself well quit of it ere 
 I'd be put to such ridicule before my own 
 men. But here comes the wine. "We'll 
 drink fair weather and light roads ere we do 
 anything else." 
 
 The civic guardsman, an intimate of Hoff- 
 mann's and a toss-pot of the first water, was 
 little loth. The Sergeant filled out two brim- 
 ming beakers, and the cart meanwhile, with its
 
 HOFFMANN'S MARCH. 193 
 
 ticklish contents, stood quietly in the shadow 
 of the gate — contents fatal as gunpowder to its 
 escort should the lid of that chest be raised, 
 and raised it ought to be ere quitting the town, 
 according to the laws of the municipal council. 
 Sergeant Hoffmann, quite awake to the fact 
 that every minute's delay endangers the safety 
 of his neck, still sips his wine with commendable 
 deliberation. The Sergeant feels that undue 
 haste here would simply precipitate the catas- 
 trophe he dreads. Despite his outward 
 composure and farouche bearing, he sits upon 
 thorns, with ears pricked to catch signs of any 
 tumult in the city. He knows that it will not 
 be long ere Caspar Zimmermann is missed, and 
 has a fair conception that it is likely to raise a 
 storm when discovered. His anxiety to be 
 well outside the walls is intense. But then 
 he must also achieve that without examination 
 of the contents of the chest. 
 
 " Ticklish work — a question of time only," 
 thinks Hoffmann. He knows this Haggermann 
 
 vol. 1.
 
 194 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 of the city guard. Can he but get enough 
 wine into him, he will not trouble himself 
 further about the chest. But time is just 
 what Hoffmann knows he can ill afford to spare. 
 He pushes the liquor about briskly; his 
 satellites have done their errand well, and 
 there is no stint of wine for the parting cup ; 
 nor do the soldiers — old hands at this kid- 
 napping work — omit to pass it freely amongst 
 the guard. They also are aware that their 
 necks are in jeopardy should that cart-load of 
 theirs fail to pass the gate successfully. 
 
 Officer Haggermann warms over his tankard, 
 " So you'd have gone the length of putting 
 cold steel into me, old fox, sooner than not run 
 a contraband load out of Zweidorf. Donner ! 
 but that's not the way to say good-bye to 
 an old comrade," says officer Haggermann, 
 laughing. 
 
 "Bah! we must do what we're ordered," 
 returned Hoffmann with a wink, " but if I'd 
 put my sword through the skirts of your coat
 
 HOFFMANN'S MARCH. 195 
 
 I'd have called you run through, you under- 
 stand." 
 
 Haggermann laughed loud. 
 
 " Here's a toast for you," he cried, " ' The 
 Captain's boots and breeches, and may breeched 
 men never be sent on so bootless an errand.' 
 Ha, my jolly Sergeant, that reminds you of 
 some of the gay evenings we've passed at 
 the 'Bush' eh?" 
 
 "In a bumper," cried Hoffmann, " fill up, 
 old comrade — there, that's so," he continued as 
 he filled Haggermann's cup to the brim. u To 
 the civic guard of Zweidorf, mine ancient," 
 exclaimed Hoffmann, once more replenishing 
 the glasses. " Drink me that fairly and 
 squarely, and then I'm for the road." 
 
 Once more Haggermann drained his beaker 
 to the dregs. 
 
 11 Forward, my lads," cried Hoffmann gaily, 
 " the sun gets low and we've a weary tramp 
 before us. Quick, away with you." 
 
 2
 
 196 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 "But there's the chest," said Haggermann, 
 with semi-drunken gravity. 
 
 " Yes, old comrade, and there are the 
 ribs," retorted Hoffmann, as he smote the civic 
 guardsman pretty smartly therein. " Adieu, 
 old friend, I'll send you back the pawn- 
 tickets of the Captain's wardrobe, 'Twill 
 make you merry at the 'Bush,' to see what 
 an officer's cast-off raiment be worth, which 
 he has thought fit to detach an old sergeant 
 and four veterans to guard. Once more, 
 farewell," and Hoffmann followed his men and 
 cart rapidly through the gate. 
 
 Haggermann stared after them for a few 
 seconds in drunken silence. 
 
 " Ought to have looked in chest," he 
 muttered, " order of council— council strict 
 just now. Might want to know how many 
 boots. Made good joke though, very funny — 
 tell joke to council if they inquire," and 
 with an inebriated chuckle at his own conceit, 
 officer Haggermann returned to his guard.
 
 HOFFMANN'S MARCH. 197 
 
 Sergeant Hoffmann scarcely ventured to look 
 round until he had placed a good mile between 
 himself and Zweidorf. Then, with a huge 
 breath of satisfaction, he called a halt. 
 
 " Humph," he grunted, " our necks, Max, 
 are a thought safer than they've been for the 
 last hour." 
 
 " It must be pesky close lying inside 
 there," replied the soldier addressed, with a 
 grin. " The sooner you take him out, Sergeant, 
 the better for his health, I ween." 
 
 "Tush ! lad, his lungs we'll trust are strong 
 as his arms. He'd like enough be troublesome 
 if we let him free just yet. Forward again. 
 We must compass the camp ere we stop for 
 good." 
 
 "There'd be little fight in him now I'm 
 thinking," said the soldier, " but there'd be 
 probably little march in him either ; so 
 perchance he's as well as he is. 'Twas clever 
 trapping of thine, Hoffmann, that lured one of 
 his inches into so close a cage."
 
 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " Aye, lad, it was neatly done. No black- 
 bird ever hopped under a sieve for corn 
 readier than this fellow into this prison of 
 his own building. You big fellows, Max, 
 outgrow your brains grievously. Oafs all 
 of you after you rise six feet in your stock- 
 ings, and fit only to be ordered about by us 
 who've retained our wit at the expense of 
 our stature. Never mind, lad," continued the 
 Sergeant, " don't be down-hearted, you do 
 your best with those great hulking bodies of 
 yours ; but always be thankful you've those 
 among you who betook themselves to grow- 
 ing in brain instead of in inches. Look at 
 King Friedrich, God bless him, didn't he stop 
 at a reasonable height. Why ? for fear his 
 intellect might deteriorate if he ran up like a 
 young sapling. 'Tis the business of the 
 little, Max, to direct the physical power of 
 the big." 
 
 Max said nothing, but consoled himself 
 with a grimace ' unobserved by the Sergeant.
 
 HOFFMANN'S MARCH. 199 
 
 He was quite aware of this weakness of his 
 superior, and had heard him dilate many 
 a time upon how nature compensated men 
 for want of stature by endowing them with 
 higher brain power. It was the Sergeant's 
 sore point. In an army wherein the chief 
 placed such ridiculous value on physique, 
 Hoffmann conspicuously deficient in that point, 
 was wont at times to wax very bitter on the 
 subject, and ever strenuously maintained that 
 men's brains were great in proportion as their 
 bodies were small. He was given to brag 
 much on this question, and to insinuate that 
 King Friedrich had selected him for the 
 delicate duties upon which he was mostly 
 employed in entire recognition of such theory. 
 Scant, however, was Hoffmann's halt. 
 There was danger yet, he thought, of being 
 followed from Zweidorf should Caspar Zimmer- 
 mann be speedily missed, and that was a cir- 
 cumstance the Sergeant looked upon as quite 
 liable to happen. He and his escort were
 
 200 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 speedily on their way once more, nor did they 
 again tarry to rest nntil they had placed six 
 miles between themselves and the city. 
 
 " Ten minutes, lads, just to rinse your 
 mouths, settle your belts and look at this 
 volunteer of ours. Then onwards we tramp, 
 for gaol fever threatens us till we make 
 King Friedrich's camp ; an we stretch not 
 our legs, it may hap those greasy burghers 
 we have left behind may stretch our necks for 
 us. Should they overtake us we are like 
 to see Zweidorf from, mid-air, my children. 
 So I counsel ye to pay little regard to getting 
 foot-sore for the next twelve hours or so. 
 Here, Max, let's lift the lid and see how 
 this carpenter looks after being coffined these 
 three hours." 
 
 In good sooth it was about time, for when 
 they opened the chest, Caspar Zimmermann 
 lay an apparent corpse within it. Pale, sense- 
 less, and with closed eyes, the luckless car- 
 penter had apparently been suffocated in the 
 prison his hands had wrought.
 
 HOFFMANN'S MARCH. 201 
 
 They dashed water in his face, loosed his 
 neckerchief, and raising his head, turned it 
 towards the fresh summer breeze ; but for some 
 minutes Caspar lay prone and motionless. 
 At last a flickering of the eyelids, a twitching 
 of the mouth, and a convulsive quivering of 
 the great limbs gave token of returning 
 animation. They forced some potent spirit 
 between the white lips, and then with two 
 or three wild gasps and a shiver of his whole 
 frame, Zimmermann's well-nigh departed spirit 
 again asserted itself. His eyes opened, he 
 gazed wildly around him, and feebly endea- 
 voured to sit up. But the effort was more 
 than he could accomplish, and once more 
 he fell back nerveless and helpless. Another 
 gulp of the spirits which that old buveur, 
 Hoffmann, presented to his lips and he fal- 
 tered forth, " Where ami?" 
 
 " On your road to serve King Friedrich," 
 answered the Sergeant with a low chuckle. 
 u In the hands of those who know what
 
 202 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 is best for you, and vowed so proper a man 
 should never waste his life in plank shearing. 
 Courage, my son, you shall never throw 
 away time again in the making of wooden 
 surtouts that fit thee so indifferently. You 
 are bound now to follow the drum and taste 
 the intoxication of military renown.' ' 
 
 " My God ! " exclaimed the luckless Caspar. 
 " Gredel ! Gredel ! what will become of 
 thee?" 
 
 " Bah! Herr Zimmermann," cried Hoffmann, 
 " i' faith if you'll trust an old soldier's 
 judgment, she will mighty soon console 
 herself. A fresh quarter, a fresh sweetheart, 
 is the rule of all who follow the drum, and 
 the women, bless their bright eyes, construe 
 the axiom even more liberally than we do, 
 and deem it no great harm if they have two at 
 a time." 
 
 By this, Caspar's senses had returned to him, 
 and though still too weak to offer any 
 physical resistance, he was capable of remon- 
 strance.
 
 HOFFMANN'S MARCH. 203 
 
 "Herr Hoffmann," he said, "I am here 
 against my will. This is kidnapping, tre- 
 panning of the grossest kind. If you set me 
 not at liberty forthwith, there will be a heavy 
 reckoning demanded of you by the council of 
 Zweidorf." 
 
 " That for Zweidorf and its council," re- 
 torted Hoffmann, with a snap of his fingers. 
 " Poof ! my friend, I risked my neck in good 
 earnest to bring you out of the city ; it's little 
 likely I'm to be frightened by threats of what 
 the thick-headed citizens can do now. For- 
 ward again, lads. Never mind the chest 
 there, it's served its turn. You, my friend, I 
 think had best ride, at all events for the pre- 
 sent." 
 
 At a signal from Hoffmann, Caspar was 
 immediately pinioned by the soldiers, and the 
 carpenter having been again placed in the 
 cart, the party resumed their march. 
 
 The Sergeant was a good practical com- 
 mander, and powerfully impressed with the
 
 204 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 danger of loitering on the road. Misadven- 
 ture from Zweidorf, he thought, should he 
 linger on his way, and hanging matter, little 
 doubt of it, for one Sergeant Hoffmann, should 
 he be overtaken by a party from that city. 
 Little wonder he pushed strenuously on with 
 small consideration for the legs of his men. 
 The soldiers too were quite aware that it 
 behoved them, as they valued their necks, not 
 to be overtaken. 
 
 A couple of hours before noon next day, 
 and tired, foot-sore, and weary, Hoffmann and 
 his party, escorting their victim still pinioned 
 in the cart, entered the lines of King Fried- 
 rich's great camp at Mulick, having accom- 
 plished some thirty miles in eighteen hours. 
 Of a surety the stimulus of a halter be- 
 hind him, developes the capabilities of a man's 
 legs to their fullest extent.
 
 CHAPTEE XII. 
 
 THE RAISING OF ZWEIDORF. 
 
 Gredel with heart full of high resolve — heart 
 beating indeed tunrultuously at the thought 
 of her lover's danger, gulps bravely down a 
 strong inclination to weep, and speeds like 
 a lapwing across to the town-hall upon 
 leaving Caspar Zimmermann's workshop. Has 
 not Martha declared that Caspar's life may 
 hang upon her promptness? that upon the 
 nimbleness of her tongue and heels may rest 
 whether she shall ever see her lover again ? 
 
 Woman, if she be true woman, can mostly 
 postpone her tears in such case to more 
 favourable opportunity. It were time enough 
 to sit down and cry when she has done all
 
 2 o6 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 she can think of to rescue her sweetheart from 
 the perils that environ him. 
 
 Gredel finds Burgomaster Passauer deeply- 
 engaged in the promulgation of petty orders 
 for the better regulation of Zweidorf gene- 
 rally. He listens with visible trepidation to 
 the girl's vehement, impetuous story. 
 
 " Order the closing of all the city gates, 
 I entreat you," cries Gredel, with tear-suffused 
 eyes. "If I am deceived in my conjecture 
 no great harm can come of it, but if Caspar 
 is once spirited without the town, ah ! who, 
 Herr Passauer, shall restore him to me ? It 
 is I, his betrothed, ask this at your hands. 
 I have come to you on sufficient grounds, and 
 I pray you act promptly in this matter. On 
 me be the blame if my conjecture be worth- 
 less, but let me implore you to lose no time 
 in ordering the gates to be closed. On my 
 knees I crave this favour," and Gredel Sydow 
 sank at the magistrate's feet in the fervour 
 of her appeal.
 
 THE RAISING OF ZWEIDORF. 207 
 
 " Get up, child, get up ! " cried the burgo- 
 master. " Some such practices have these 
 gentry been accused of before. I will give 
 orders at once that the city gates be closed, 
 and request the attendance of Baron von 
 Hompesch here immediately." 
 
 The burgomaster was a man of timorous, 
 vacillating disposition. From the first he 
 had disapproved of the establishment of the 
 Prussian recruiting party in Zweidorf, but he 
 had lacked resolution to refuse the necessary 
 permission. A dangerous and powerful neigh- 
 bour King Friedrich, thought Burgomaster 
 Passauer, and our liege lord of Saxony not 
 likely to be of much weight in any quarrel we 
 may have with him. Safest to keep on good 
 terms with King Friedrich, and trust that our 
 citizens are wiser than to take service under 
 him. This affair looked like one of those 
 complications which the burgomaster would 
 fain avoid. 
 
 Although he spoke Gredel fair, it was in a
 
 2o8 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 very dilatory fashion that lie issued his orders 
 concerning the closing of the city gates, and 
 with some misgiving that he ordered that the 
 insolent Captain von Hompesch should be 
 brought before him. That officer had treated the 
 council with much contemptuous indifference 
 in the affair of Hans Klopstock, and Herr Pass- 
 auer rather shuddered at the idea of once more 
 coming in contact with that haughty soldier. 
 
 Still the disappearance of so well-known a 
 citizen as Caspar Zimmermann was not to be 
 overlooked. It was not to be supposed that 
 Zweidorf — always a tumultuous, unruly com- 
 munity — would bear that quietly; more 
 especially when the Eose of Zweidorf, as 
 Gredel was sometimes called, openly accused 
 Yon Hompesch and his men of being guilty of 
 foul play concerning Caspar. The worthy bur- 
 gomaster was in a state of great trepidation. 
 On the one hand the mob — and mobs in those 
 days dealt out wild vengeful retribution at short 
 notice to their rulers at times ; on the other,
 
 THE RAISING OF ZWEIDORF. 209 
 
 the Prussian king, powerful, near at hand, 
 and prompt to resent outrage to his servants. 
 [Never was timorous chief magistrate in more 
 awkward predicament. He did what such 
 time-serving heads of communities mostly do 
 upon such occasions — he tried to stand well 
 with both parties. He sent a private note to 
 Von Hompesch bidding him look to his 
 safety, and then despatched orders to close 
 the gates, and bring that contumacious offender 
 to his presence. 
 
 Of this juggling Gredel knew nothing. 
 She sat still and silent in the council- chamber, 
 awaiting the result of the burgomaster's 
 measures. 
 
 But there was another than Herr Passauer 
 taking measures in the city just now — 
 measures, too, calculated to make that double- 
 faced magistrate stand aghast with dismay 
 did he but know of them. A maenad was 
 invoking the democratic element he so dreaded, 
 
 vol. 1. p
 
 210 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 and the populace were responding briskly to 
 her call. 
 
 Martha Schnrtz made no idle boast when 
 she declared that she might perchance raise 
 more rapid investigation of the contents of 
 that mysterious chest than the constituted 
 authorities. The girl knew the strong com- 
 position of that mob element, so common in 
 cities of those parts, even more thoroughly 
 than the rulers who professed to control it. 
 Like her mistress, she too sped quickly on her 
 errand. 
 
 " Club and bludgeon, citizens, club and 
 bludgeon," she cried in shrill msenadic tones, 
 like a Demoiselle Theroigne of later times, as 
 she leaped upon a stall in the market-place. 
 " Hand to the sword and bolt to the gate, an 
 you would not have your young men kidnap- 
 ped from your midst. Bah ! I talk not to 
 you, drivelling cowards as ye are," she ex- 
 claimed, sneeringly addressing the men. "You 
 bow your necks to the Prussian, and let him
 
 THE RAISING OF ZWEIDORF. 211 
 
 pick you for slaughter like bullocks at a fair. 
 'Tis the women of Zweidorf I want. When 
 our lovers' courage waxes faint, sweethearts, 
 it is time we women should show the stuff 
 we are made of. Here is Caspar Zimmermann 
 kidnapped from our midst this day, as Hans 
 Klopstock was but a few weeks back. Not 
 clear of the town yet, packed in a chest, like 
 a herring in a cask, and who will take upon 
 himself to close the gates and save Caspar's 
 liberty ? Not the men, for they lack daring. 
 Not the magistrates, for they'd fain hold 
 council, and while they hold council, Herr 
 Zimmermann, like Klopstock, is borne out of 
 reach. It is we, dames and maidens, must 
 stop this slave trading. To the gates and at 
 once, women of Zweidorf, and see ye nothing 
 passes till this story be looked into." 
 
 " Have you good grounds, Martha, for what 
 you say ? " asked a stalwart young man among 
 the crowd whom her address had by this 
 time collected. 
 
 P 2
 
 212 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 "You hear him," cried Martha, with a 
 scornful laugh. " Like our rulers, he'd fain 
 take evidence upon the case, and hold himself 
 justified in acting after the opportunity had 
 gone by. These men, ah ! they act by reason, 
 that means in ten days' time, but we women," 
 cried Martha in shrill defiant tones, " we act 
 by instinct and that means at once. To the 
 gates then, oh ! citizenesses, and see not a 
 mouse pass your ward till noon to-morrow." 
 
 There was no lack of men amongst Martha's 
 audience, and their cheeks flushed and their 
 brows darkened under the lash of her pitiless 
 tongue. 
 
 "It is foul shame on the council, their 
 sluggishness in this matter," cried a sharp 
 wizened little man, whose dress denoted him a 
 cobbler. 
 
 "It is viler shame on the men of Zwei- 
 dorf," retorted Martha sharply, " that their 
 own hands cannot right their wrongs. You'd 
 best go home, Johann Mulhausen," she
 
 THE RAISING OF ZWEIDORF. 213 
 
 continued, addressing the speaker. " 'Tis 
 your wife lies in more danger from the Prus- 
 sian crimpers than you, and, 'fore George, 
 she'd give them more trouble, to boot." 
 
 A burst of laughter from the mob greeted 
 Martha's speech, for the cobbler's wife was a 
 very amazon in stature, and noted for her 
 shrewish temper. 
 
 Suddenly a tall swart young fellow pushed 
 his way to the front, and confronting Martha 
 exclaimed roughly, 
 
 " Curb that gibing tongue of thine for an 
 instant, Martha, and answer me in good faith, 
 do you deem Caspar Zimmermann has been 
 foully dealt with ? " 
 
 " I do," rejoined Martha, " and hold, more- 
 over, that could you but get the city gates 
 closed at once you would save him, and might 
 judge for yourselves of the treachery of these 
 Prussians. Max Bauer, you can raise the 
 lads of the north quarter by lifting your 
 finger. Do it, and that right quickly. If I
 
 214 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 speak without warrant, you know well upon 
 whom to wreak your wrath." 
 
 " The girl speaks fair," cried Max, as he 
 sprang lightly to her side. " Suspicion of this 
 kidnapping has been current too long. The 
 council doze when they should be doing. 
 Heinrich, raise the people as you go along, and 
 look you to the east gate. Karl, take you the 
 west, and see that nothing pass either in or out 
 without strict investigation. For me, I will 
 be answerable for the Hinter-Pforte. Above 
 all, let not one of those Prussians leave the city 
 upon any pretext whatever. We'll know 
 what's come of Caspar Zimmermann before we 
 have done. Up, citizens, up ! when our 
 rulers lack energy, it behoves us to right our- 
 selves. This wench speaks truly, the women 
 will cry shame on us if we submit longer to 
 be trapped like half-tamed deer by the 
 Prussian. The gates, citizens, the gates. 
 We'll give these myrmidons of King Friedrich 
 short shrift, an we take them red-handed in
 
 THE RAISING OF ZWEIDORF. 215 
 
 such treason. Quick away, lads, the girl says 
 right if we move not to save our comrades, 
 'tis their sweethearts and sisters must bestir 
 themselves. Such disgrace we could ill 
 stomach, my masters. To the gates then, and 
 if these gentry have done us wrong, we'll not 
 ask the council to clear the score for us." 
 
 A fierce shout responded to the speaker's 
 wild harangue, and the mob, which had been 
 for some minutes waxing ripe for mischief, 
 ranged themselves rapidly under the leaders 
 Max Bauer had indicated. He, a wild and 
 most democratic young locksmith, was ever a 
 prominent leader in all tumults in Zweidorf. 
 Had suffered incarceration indeed more than 
 once at the hands of the council for carrying 
 out that favourite theory of his, that it behoved 
 the men of Zweidorf to right their wrongs 
 themselves without calling in the assistance 
 of the constituted authorities. A hard, shrewd, 
 contumacious citizen with slight reverence for 
 his betters unless they showed themselves such
 
 216 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 upon stronger grounds than the mere accident 
 of birth or wealth. One of those men who 
 come to the top in times of revolution, unless 
 their career be nipped in the bud by the gaol, 
 gallows, or other small matter of that descrip- 
 tion, as too often happens to such thorough- 
 going reformers. Apt to use his influence to 
 loose the mob of Zweidorf on slender founda- 
 tion, and no wit more capable of holding the 
 same in hand than such demagogues generally, 
 fitter instrument for her purpose Martha could 
 scarce have hit upon. 
 
 Captain von Hompesch meanwhile has duly 
 received Burgomaster Passauer's friendly inti- 
 mation, and smiles grimly on receipt thereof. 
 11 Hoffmann knew this scum better than I 
 thought," he muttered. " If this democratic 
 cauldron is going to seethe, I've played my cards 
 to little purpose. But these popular outcries are 
 for the most part mere windy oration and froth. 
 If I'd but a regiment of Branderburg dragoons, 
 I would guarantee nought came of their turbu-
 
 THE RAISING OF ZWEIDORR 217 
 
 lence and outcry. As it is, I must simply 
 await the upshot of the affair." 
 
 The Captain had been accustomed to stern 
 repression of such anarchies of the populace, 
 and thought inwardly that a few weeks of his 
 rule would much benefit the citizens of 
 Zweidorf, — a point upon which the inhabitants 
 would perhaps hardly have coincided. 
 
 Yon Hompesch had no intention of flying 
 the town upon mere report of danger to him- 
 self. He had braved greater perils than this 
 in his day, and was not at all the man to throw 
 down his cards before the game was irretriev- 
 ably lost. " If the council be worth their salt," 
 he mused, " they'll soon whip these hounds to 
 their kennels.' ' At this moment the shouts of 
 the excited populace in response to Max Bauer's 
 harangue fell upon his ears. 
 
 "Municipal councils," quoth the Captain 
 to himself, " are wont to be timorous and hesi- 
 tating in action. It were as well perhaps I 
 prepared for the mob getting the upper hand.
 
 2i8 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 And with this sententious reflection Yon Hom- 
 pesch betook himself to the stable of the 
 1 Golden Eagle ' and saddled and bridled his 
 horse. 
 
 This done, he sallied forth to look into the 
 state of affairs with his own eyes, and had 
 barely passed the gate of the hostelrie when 
 he was met by an official messenger craving 
 his presence before the council. 
 
 With his sword under his arm the Captain 
 made his way towards the town-hall, but ere 
 he had got halfway across the market-place he 
 was descried by the mob. " Hah ! here comes 
 the head kidnapper himself," shrieked the 
 crowd. " Here, citizens, comes the chief traf- 
 ficker in bone and sinew. Here comes the man- 
 stealer," screamed the women. " who sells our 
 sweethearts and brothers to the Prussian." 
 Msenadic element shrill, violent, and vehement 
 as is usual in all popular tumult. "Bring 
 him before the council," cried the men. 
 " Seize him, and bind him, and let him make
 
 THE RAISING OF ZWEIDORF. 219 
 
 answer as to what has become of Casper Zim- 
 nierinann." 
 
 " Hang him from the cross in the centre of the 
 market," yelled an nnkempt slatternly woman. 
 " Let him die a slaver's doom, and that quickly. 
 If there be men among ye, he'll never live to 
 see the council-chamber." 
 
 The Captain was no coward, but the temper 
 of the mob flashed across him in an instant. 
 He could win his way to that council- cham- 
 ber he never doubted if he thought fit, but 
 should he ever win his way back ? Were 
 those timorous burghers able to protect him if 
 he ever reached there. In an instant Yon 
 Hompesch decided, no ; the game was up and 
 it behoved him to look to his own safety. 
 He turned and walked slowly towards the 
 1 Golden Eagle.' To turn your back upon 
 a rabble is like turning your back upon a 
 dog or a bull, it is an incentive to attack. 
 All mobs, like hounds, are given to run the 
 creature that flies from them, that of Zweidorf
 
 220 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 formed no exception to this rule. With a 
 roar they followed upon the tracks of the 
 retreating soldier, and more than one missile 
 was aimed at him by the many-handed. 
 Gradually they closed upon him, but Yon 
 Hompesch turned fiercely on his assailants, 
 and his sabre flashed bright and keen in the 
 sunlight as in deep guttural earnest tones he 
 cried, 
 
 a Are you tired of your lives, men, or 
 think you I fear to use my claws ? I'll leave 
 such mark on him who first comes within 
 reach of my sword, that his mistress shall 
 scarce recognise him when the blood's done 
 flowing." 
 
 His savage speech and gesture made the mob 
 recoil. Those nearest could read the fierce 
 light of battle in the speaker's eyes, and 
 knew that it would fare ill with him who 
 should first seek to grapple with the Prussian 
 Captain. Yon Hompesch retreated slowly 
 towards the l Golden Eagle ' with defiant front
 
 THE RAISING OF ZWEIDORF. 221 
 
 and gleaming sabre. Foot by foot the yelling 
 crowd followed him, but none dared trust 
 himself within sweep of that truculent steel. 
 The Captain had resolved quick as lightning 
 on his proceedings. Let him but once gain 
 the gateway of the l Golden Eagle,' and he 
 felt himself assured of safety. 
 
 He had reached within a few yards of that 
 haven when Max Bauer, whom the cries 
 of the mob had recalled from his way to 
 the Hinter-Pforte, rushed impetuously to 
 the front armed with a sledge-hammer. Von 
 Hompesch retreated somewhat more rapidly 
 than before, being somewhat anxious to 
 arrive at the gateway. Bauer interpreting 
 this as a sign of dismay on his adversary's 
 part, dashed boldly upon him, crying, "Yield, 
 you crimping slave-dealer, less worse come to 
 you," levelling a furious blow at the Captain 
 as he did so. 
 
 "Ah! you will have it, then," exclaimed 
 Yon Hompesch, as dexterously evading Max
 
 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 Bauer's stroke, his sabre flashed bright in 
 the sun and stretched the luckless black- 
 smith senseless on the pavement. Then, with 
 eyes glittering with passion, the Prussian 
 dashed fiercely in upon the mob, and for a 
 few seconds struck sharply right and left, 
 leaving his mark with every stroke. The 
 rabble recoiled with dismay, tumbling over 
 each other in their haste to escape from the 
 reach of that relentless swordsman. Ere they 
 had recovered from their panic, Von Hompesch 
 had disappeared within the archway, and the 
 gates of the ' Golden Eagle ' were barred in 
 their faces. 
 
 For a few minutes the crowd were 
 paralysed. Their leader to all appearance 
 slain, and those foremost in the fray bearing 
 bitter proofs of their quarry's prowess in 
 the bleeding gashes his sword had wrought. 
 But the multitude is scarcely to be cowed by 
 one man much longer than he ceases to be 
 aggressive, whether it be with sword, tongue,
 
 THE RAISING OF ZWEWORF. 223 
 
 or pistol, and the mob speedily recovered 
 courage and thundered furiously at the closed 
 gates. This being apparently fraught with 
 little danger, they then indulged themselves 
 with much battering of the windows, and 
 finally, having procured a ladder, some 
 of the more adventurous made entrance 
 through these latter, only to discover the 
 object of their vengeance had fled. Herr 
 Sydow apparently so far the chief sufferer 
 from his daughter's exertions ; for Max Bauer 
 might be fairly said to have earned his own 
 recompense. 
 
 Having closed the gates of the ' Golden 
 Eagle ' in the faces of his assailants, Captain 
 von Hompesch betook himself quickly to 
 horse and rode sharply out of the back 
 entrance of the courtyard of the inn. This, 
 as may be remembered, led directly into a 
 labyrinth of squalid streets — a poverty, crime- 
 stricken quarter of the city — that ran from 
 thence in the direction of the Hinter-Pforte.
 
 224 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 Through these Von Hompesch proceeded at 
 a smart trot. Never had his sabre served him 
 better did he but know it than when it 
 stretched Max Bauer senseless on the pave- 
 ment. But for that luckless demagogue 
 having returned in hot haste at the wild 
 cries of the populace upon the appearance of 
 the Captain, that gate had been hard closed 
 to him. As it was, the noise of the tumult 
 in the market-place had reached the ears of 
 the guard who stood clustered around the 
 gate, open-eyed and undecided. Officer 
 Haggermann, much bemused in liquor, is there 
 trying to rally his faculties of compre- 
 hension, and extremely desirous to know 
 " What's matter ? " 
 
 Officer Haggermann, seeing a horseman 
 approaching rapidly, resolves to interrogate 
 him, and directs his men, also flushed with 
 drink, to form across the gateway, determined 
 to know " What's matter?" forthwith. But 
 it does not occur to Officer Haggermann to
 
 THE RAISING OF ZWEIDORF. 225 
 
 close the portal behind him, nor that the 
 advancing horseman may contemn his au- 
 thority. 
 
 Von Hompesch takes in the situation at 
 a glance. Give them time to close that gate 
 and he is lost. His mind is made up in an 
 instant. He slackens his pace for a second 
 or two, then in reply to Officer Haggermann's 
 demand to halt and " 'Splain what's matter ? " 
 drives the spurs into his horse, his sabre 
 flashes quick from the scabbard, and whirling 
 it lightly round his head, he dashes through 
 the panic-stricken guard like a meteor, the 
 half- drunken burghers tumbling over each 
 other in their anxiety to clear the way 
 for that fell cavalier's charge. The hoofs 
 of Yon Hompesch's steed rang near half 
 a mile away when Officer Haggermann, pick- 
 ing himself up from the ground on which 
 the confused rush of his frightened soldiers 
 had deposited him, once more demands, 
 " What's all about ? What's matter ? » 
 
 VOL. I. Q
 
 226 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 "The game is up in Zweidorf," muttered 
 Von Hompesch as he sped forward at a gallop. 
 " Papa Sydow's ingots, I fear, I am never 
 destined to dissipate. One satisfaction, my 
 pretty Gredel, for all your scorn and bad 
 taste ; if I have had to fly I have taken that oaf 
 of a carpenter with me as captive of my bow 
 and spear. He'll murmur no more love 
 speeches in your ear. You'll bear me in 
 mind, fair damsel, for some time to come; 
 and if my friends of the regiment of Posen 
 have not waxed slack of late in their 
 ideas of discipline, I think Herr Zimmermann 
 will arrive at the conclusion it had been better 
 for him had he never rivalled me in your 
 love."
 
 CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 "gredel's resolve." 
 
 Gredel, with flushed cheeks and flashing eyes, 
 paces the common room of the c Golden Eagle ' 
 that evening in mood scarce pleasant to 
 encounter. She had heard the shouts of the 
 mob as she sat in the town -hall, and been 
 witness to the pitiable dismay of Burgomaster 
 Passauer as the tumult gathered in strength. 
 She had seen the wigs of the worshipful 
 council wag again, as the fierce roar of that 
 people they affected to control fell upon their 
 ears. She had been witness of their conflict- 
 ing, vacillating orders, had marked the sense 
 of relief that had lit up their anxious faces 
 when the intelligence reached them that Von 
 
 Q 2
 
 228 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 Hompesch and his men had escaped from the 
 city ; and Gredel, in her hot righteous 
 indignation, had vowed to herself that these 
 timorous old burghers were no rulers to carry 
 men's lives in their hands. 
 
 Gredel thereby indicates why four-fifths 
 of women are conservative ; because they 
 have reverence for constituted authority 
 strongly administered. Once let them see 
 that the sceptre is a mere word, and they 
 leave the men far behind in their revolutionary 
 ardour. It is not a republic they demand, 
 but a despotism ; not a husband, but a master. 
 
 Gredel in her present disposition is ill 
 to deal with. No thought of weeping over 
 her lover's disappearance possesses her now. 
 She is angry with herself, with Martha, with 
 everything, with everybody; especially does 
 she rage against Burgomaster Passauer and 
 his time-serving council. Some inkling that 
 there was slight diligence used by the 
 authorities to prevent the flight of the
 
 GREDELS RESOLVE. 229 
 
 Prussians lias Gredel ; that there was much 
 incompetence manifest amongst them she has 
 seen with her own eyes, and from the 
 satisfaction they could scarce refrain from 
 exhibiting upon hearing that Yon Hompesch 
 had won his way through, she inclines to 
 think much want of honesty also. Little 
 commiseration gets Papa Sydow, bewailing his 
 broken casements, from his indignant daughter. 
 
 "It serves you perfectly right, father. It 
 would have been no more than our due, 
 had there not been one stone left standing 
 of the ' Golden Eagle.' We didn't deserve 
 to thrive when we took to harbouring kid- 
 nappers, man-stealers, and such like cattle." 
 
 That Gredel' s disposition is by no means 
 mere milk and water, Martha is well aware, 
 but even the chambermaid stands aghast at 
 the bitter tongue her mistress discovers to- 
 night. Eobbed of her mate, the doe deve- 
 lopes somewhat of the tigress. 
 
 Martha having so far failed in her designs
 
 230 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 for the rescue of Caspar Zimmermann, feeling 
 conscious of having been thoroughly outwitted 
 by the crafty Hoffmann, and all destitute of 
 further device to suggest that might succour 
 that hapless carpenter, sits silently spinning, 
 and inwardly trusting that Gredel's sharp 
 speech may not set her own way. Bold and 
 true of heart too this girl, could she but see 
 possible action to be taken in this matter. 
 But all she could think of has been tried, and 
 the result is Caspar Zimmermann has been 
 kidnapped by these accursed Prussians, and 
 that Max Bauer lies in grievous case in the 
 hospital of Zweidorf, with warrant out 
 against him for inciting riot and other 
 tempestuous upheaval. 
 
 " And you," cries Gredel, stopping sud- 
 denly in her stormy pacing and confront- 
 ing the handmaiden fiercely, "what have 
 you to say now, all your fine schemes are 
 blown to shreds, and have served Caspar 
 no whit ? What next have you to propose ?
 
 GREDEUS RESOLVE. 231 
 
 Quick, wench, cudgel your brains. You bade 
 me not weep once to-day when I should 
 be doing. I dried mine eyes at your bidding. 
 Tears shall dull them no more till I wail for 
 Caspar's death or shed them from impotent 
 wrath to revenge him. Think you I'll 
 abandon him so easily ? No ; by the Virgin I 
 swear I'll leave no stone unturned for his 
 rescue till I find the turf lies over his 
 head." 
 
 "Gredel," said Martha, rising, "indeed 
 I counselled you my best. I did all I 
 could think of myself, though, alas ! without 
 avail. That I was right in my conjecture that 
 Caspar was entrapped into that fatal chest, 
 and so smuggled without the city gates, I 
 feel confident. I will stand to you in any- 
 thing, but, Gredel, I am fain to confess I can 
 see nothing we can do further than put 
 pressure on the council to require strict 
 investigation from King Friedrich of the 
 case."
 
 232 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 "The council!" cried Gredel with bitter 
 scorn. "I saw enough of Burgomaster 
 Passauer and the council to-day. Had they 
 shown but .the promptitude of men and the spirit 
 of a sparrow, the Prussians would never have 
 won through the gates. Small help we're like 
 to get from shivering hearts like theirs, I ween. 
 They fear this King Friedrich as if he was the 
 foul fiend himself. No, Martha, 'tis ourselves 
 must help ourselves. Caspar's safety, nay, life, 
 you said to-day rested on me. It does yet, and 
 I'll not fail him. But how to serve him ? how 
 to serve him ? " and Gredel once more resumed 
 her tempestuous pacing up and down the 
 room. 
 
 Martha sat silent ; quick-witted as she was, 
 the business now seemed altogether beyond 
 righting in Zweidorf. She had no more 
 reverence or belief in Burgomaster Passauer 
 and the council than her mistress, but Caspar 
 Zimmermann once clearly trepanned and in the 
 hands of the Prussians, and Martha could see
 
 GREDECS RESOLVE. 233 
 
 no course to take in his behalf, save the invo- 
 cation of their rulers on the subject. Such 
 flabby representation as they might make 
 Martha augured little good of. Herr Zimmer- 
 mann she deemed trapped, nor likely to escape 
 from the toils for time undefinable. They had 
 done all They could. She could suggest 
 nothing more. How a powerful man like 
 Caspar could have been so easily tricked was 
 beyond Martha's comprehension, but that he 
 had been somehow got into that chest the 
 girl held fixed as that the sun shone in the 
 heavens. What foul play had led to it? 
 Had he been drugged ? the time seemed 
 scarce to admit of it. Violence would have 
 aroused the neighbours. It was a circumstance 
 past comprehension. Yet there stood the fact 
 clear and indubitable. Von Hompesch and his 
 men were gone, and Herr Zimmermann and 
 the chest gone with them. 
 
 Suddenly Gredel stops abruptly in her walk 
 and exclaims, " You say you will stand to
 
 234 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 me in aught I may require of you, Martha. 
 Good, I am about to put you to the test. I 
 may depend upon you?" she continued, 
 interrogatively with quick glance of her blue 
 eyes. 
 
 " That you may," replied the chambermaid 
 earnestly. " Show me but how I can serve 
 you and Caspar, and trust me to do my best. 
 'Tis my wit, not my will fails me. I can think 
 of nothing that may help him." 
 
 " Listen," said Gredel. "I have heard that 
 this Prussian King, if he be a hard man, is a 
 just man. I intend to make trial of whether 
 rumour speaks truth in this matter." 
 
 Martha said nothing, but gazed with deep 
 curiosity into her mistress's face. 
 
 " His great camp is but ten leagues or so 
 distant, and men say he is there commanding 
 in person. Martha, I mean going to this camp 
 of Mulich. I mean to ask Caspar's liberty 
 from his Majesty's own self. It is his own 
 lips should deal out reprimand to these villains
 
 GREDEL' S RESOLVE. 235 
 
 who break the laws in his name and trepan 
 honest citizens from their lawful callings. If 
 he be just, as men say, he will right Caspar's 
 wrongs; if he be not, God help me and Caspar, 
 
 for we shall need it sorely." 
 
 %/ 
 
 Martha listened to. her mistress's speech in 
 mnte astonishment. Gredel spoke in quiet 
 resolute tones, very different from the fierce 
 splenetic talk she had waged previous to arriv- 
 ing at this determination. 
 
 " But how do you expect to win your way 
 to the King's presence, Gredel," inquired the 
 chambermaid. " These kings are not so easily 
 come at as our councillors here in Zweidorf. 
 Plain folks like you and I will find it hard, 
 I trow, to get speech with him." 
 
 " I don't know ; time enough to think of that 
 when we reach Mulicb . But when one loves, 
 Martha, and the fulfilment of that love depends 
 upon our own exertions, there is nothing 
 impossible. Had you told me yesterday," 
 continued Gredel, with a faint smile " that I
 
 236 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 could dare face the burgomaster and council as 
 I did but a few hours since, I had said you 
 nay. Yet my heart failed me not this 
 afternoon." 
 
 Martha could scarce conceal her surprise. 
 That Gredel was in no way deficient in spirit 
 she had known for some time past ; but that 
 this girl, who had at the first discovery of her 
 lover's danger appeared so broken down and 
 helpless, had required the rousing o£ her own 
 sharp tongue to urge her to do what in 
 Martha's eyes seemed to offer the sole chance 
 of rescuing Caspar from the trap into which 
 he had fallen, should now with high resolve 
 project what the chambermaid viewed as a 
 very desperate undertaking indeed, filled her 
 with amazement. She saw clearly enough, 
 that fraught with difficulty and some danger, 
 as it indubitably was, it afforded far more pro- 
 bability of procuring Caspar's liberty than any 
 other scheme that could be devised. If speech 
 could but be had of the Prussian monarch,
 
 GREDEL S RESOL VE. 237 
 
 and he was the just man report said he was, 
 then assuredly Herr Zimmermann's release was 
 secured. But Martha deemed that by no 
 means easy to accomplish. She could scarce 
 refrain from a slight laugh at the change of 
 situation between herself and her mistress. 
 A few hours back, and it was for her to think, 
 to counsel ; now they had shifted this rela- 
 tionship, and it was Gredel who plotted out 
 and decided on their actions. The girl was 
 transformed into a shrewd-witted, resolute 
 woman ; a woman too, robbed of her lover and 
 keen to rescue him, or revenge him, as circum- 
 stances might dictate. 
 
 Gredel, meanwhile, stood fronting the fire 
 and lost in thought. Gazing into the embers 
 as if seeking further inspiration therein. At 
 last she raised her head and said slowly, " We 
 must start to-night ; you will come with me or 
 I must go alone." 
 
 11 Gredel ! " cried Martha reproachfully, 
 " do you deem I could let you start on this
 
 238 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 errand without me ? I thought you knew me 
 better," and the chambermaid's disturbed face 
 showed how much she felt aggrieved at the 
 bare suggestion. " Come weal, come woe," 
 she exclaimed vehemently, " my place is by 
 your side in this business. Try me, my dear, 
 and see if I flinch or fail you. Deceived have 
 I been like the rest of us, but you go not on 
 this journey without me." 
 
 "I can trust you, I know," replied Gredel, 
 with a smile, " and forgive me if bitter words 
 'scaped my lips to you awhile back, but my 
 heart is sore wrung ; and we are not masters 
 of our tongues at such times. But quick, 
 Martha, let's be doing. See to it, there is 
 cart and horse for us as soon as maybe. • This 
 matter is one which requires speedy looking 
 to. Every hour is of consequence, and to- 
 morrow's sunrise should find us halfway or 
 more to Mulich. Look to our conveyance 
 while I cloak and hood myself." 
 
 " I will get Albert Klopstock and his cart
 
 GREDELS RESOLVE. 239 
 
 here in less than that. Cloak yourself warmly, 
 for the night-air nips keen," replied the cham- 
 bermaid. "Never fear but what we will 
 confront King Friedrich at all events, come of 
 it what may ! " cried Martha, catching some of 
 her mistress's spirit. 
 
 An hour from that time, and such was 
 Martha's diligence that Officer Haggermann 
 had bid them God speed on their journey, 
 and was left pondering as to whether he had 
 not once more committed grievous error in 
 allowing a cart to pass the gate. Some idea 
 indeed had possessed his much perplexed brains 
 of detaining them till sunrise, but Martha's 
 shrill tongue had completely paralysed that 
 worthy. A platoon of musketeers indeed 
 would have shrunk from such encounter, and 
 Officer Haggermann was completely cowed by 
 the vituperative demand, " whether, after con- 
 niving at the escape of Prussian kidnappers, 
 he thought stopping honest women on their 
 lawful business was to put him straight with
 
 240 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 the lads of Zweidorf ? " Officer Haggermarm, by 
 this time aware of the late uproar in the city, 
 and no stranger to Martha's meenadic gifts, 
 thought it best at all events to offer no provo- 
 cation to one whom he deemed had the ear of 
 the mob ; somewhat conscious by this time, too, 
 that it was possible he might be stormily ac- 
 cused of lack of vigilance on his post. Much 
 reverence for the democracy in their wrath had 
 Officer Haggermann.
 
 CHAPTEE XIV. 
 
 ON THE ROAD TO MULICH. 
 
 The imperfections of travel in those early- 
 days of the last century are hardly to be un- 
 derstanded by the present generation, — times 
 in which roads might have been more properly 
 designated tracks. When fords, often rendered 
 impracticable by a sudden freshet, were the 
 substitute for bridges ; when those with long 
 purses even, dragged along in cumbersome 
 carriages with six horses struggling at the 
 traces, sinking often to the very axle, and 
 feeling content with an average progress of 
 some half-dozen miles in the hour. Things 
 were no different in England than they were 
 in other countries ; and, in George the Second's 
 
 VOL. I. R
 
 242 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 days, the grandees of our land went through 
 much tribulation and hardship in their jour- 
 neyings to and fro. We of the nineteenth 
 century think little of distance, but a score 
 or two miles a hundred and fifty years ago 
 took some compassing. Our predecessors felt 
 an anxiety about the moon of which we are 
 comparatively oblivious. They had a know- 
 ledge of quagmires, ditches, broken gear, losing 
 their way, impassable fords, knights of the 
 road, and utterly knocked-up horses, of which 
 we have been brought up in happy igno- 
 rance. 
 
 The country round Zweidorf offered no im- 
 munity from the woes of other districts at 
 that epoch denominated civilized. The main 
 road which ran through the town was fair 
 enough, but when you diverged into any of 
 the numerous bye-ways, they presented the 
 usual characteristics I have mentioned. The 
 way to Mulich was one of these cross-country 
 tracks.
 
 ON THE ROAD TO MULICH. 243 
 
 The sun was high in the heavens, and 
 Albert Klopstock (a cousin this of the ne'er-to- 
 do-weel Hans, and a devoted admirer of 
 Martha's), travel- stained and weary, as the 
 little cart painfully gained a hill-top, and the 
 trio looked down upon the camp of King 
 Friedrich. The white tents stretched far away 
 in the valley beneath them, and dark masses 
 of troops could be descried going through 
 various evolutions, their bayonets glittering in 
 the sunlight. 
 
 "The camp! Gredel," exclaimed Martha, 
 as she pointed to the canvas-built town at 
 their feet. " We are near our journey's end 
 
 now." 
 
 " Say near to Caspar's rescue," whispered 
 Gredel, her blue eyes flashing with excite- 
 ment. "Which is the King's tent of all 
 those, think you ? " 
 
 " It were hard to tell at this distance, but 
 I doubt not we shall easily discover it when 
 we are once within the camp." 
 
 r 2
 
 r 4 4 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 Albert. Klopstock waited no longer than 
 was necessary to breathe his horse, and then 
 commenced leisurely to descend into the 
 valley. A dull, matter-of-fact carrier he, 
 whose imaginative faculties had been no 
 further kindled into life than the conception 
 of a blind sort of dog- like devotion to 
 Martha. He was ever ready to obey her hest, 
 and demonstrated his passion much after the 
 manner of an unintelligent sheep-dog, by per- 
 sistent eye-worship. The shrewd chambermaid 
 was quite conscious of her power, and used 
 it with some harshness and little restriction. 
 
 Slowly the little cart descended into the 
 plain, the faint roll of the Prussian drums 
 falling upon their ears as they stopped at the 
 auberge at the foot of the declivity, and here, 
 worn out with their journey, the girls proposed 
 to rest for a little before further prosecution 
 of their enterprise. 
 
 Gredel, indeed, was for at once proceeding 
 on her errand, but the excitement of the
 
 ON THE ROAD TO MULICH. 245 
 
 preceding day and the rough jolting and 
 tedium of the way told their tale, and the 
 girl yielded at last to the more prudent 
 counsel of Martha, that they should take 
 some rest ere they set forth to confront 
 his Majesty of Prussia. 
 
 "Don't be foolish, Gredel," urged the 
 chambermaid. u We shall need all our wits 
 both to gain speech with King Friedrich, and 
 to tell our story rightly when we have accom- 
 plished it. Mine, I'm fain to confess, are 
 all wool-gathering even now from fatigue, 
 and I'm sure yours can be little brighter. 
 Let us rest here for awhile. Believe me, 
 we shall speed the better for the delay." 
 
 So thoroughly worn out was Gredel that, 
 despite her anxiety, her head was no sooner 
 on the pillow than she fell into a deep 
 slumber, which lasted till the sun was below 
 the horizon. When she awoke, she found 
 Martha sitting by her bedside, and that the 
 shades of evening were rapidly descending.
 
 246 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 The girl was very angry at first, and bitterly 
 upbraided the chambermaid for not having 
 roused her sooner. 
 
 " My dear." replied Martha, " listen before 
 you scold me. There was nothing to be done 
 this evening. I have been out and picked up 
 such information as we require. I have 
 ascertained whereabout the King's pavilion 
 lies, and somewhat of his habits. He is an 
 early riser and prowls about the camp betimes. 
 It was best you should have a good rest, as 
 we must be on our road before sunrise to- 
 morrow. Nay, Gredel, don't be angry," 
 she continued in reply to her mistress's 
 impatient gestures. " Our best chance of 
 gaining speech of his Majesty lies in hovering 
 around his tent at daybreak to-morrow. It is 
 about three miles from this, and you need 
 fear no further harm to Caspar meanwhile." 
 
 "It is infamous that I should sleep while 
 Caspar is yet in danger," retorted Gredel 
 petulantly.
 
 ON THE ROAD TO MULICH. 247 
 
 " 'Tis wise to husband one's strength when 
 we know it is about to be tried," replied 
 Martha gravely. "I'd have done you scant 
 service by breaking the rest you so urgently re- 
 quired. Pray be patient and trust me. I'll spare 
 you not a whit when I see necessity for it." 
 
 " Forgive me," cried Gredel. "I do you 
 injustice, but — but, Martha, I shall never 
 close eye to-night." 
 
 "That's as may be, my dear," exclaimed 
 the chambermaid gaily, "but if you'd serve 
 Caspar heartily to-morrow, you will do your 
 best. That I shall rouse you long before 
 sunrise you may safely depend upon." 
 
 The sable curtains of night still enshrouded 
 the Prussian camp as the two girls, escorted 
 by Albert Klopstock, reached its outposts next 
 morning. A gruff challenge barred their 
 further progress, and the sentry brusquely 
 informed them that no strangers were allowed 
 within the lines till after reveille. Patiently 
 they sat down to wait, and ere a quarter of
 
 248 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 an hour the hrst faint streaks of dawn were 
 visible in the east. 
 
 Gradually the sombre sky changed into a 
 chill grey, as if wearing half mourning for 
 the departed yesterday. Soon the tents 
 brightened, and a warm halo above the eastern 
 horizon heralded the advent of the sun. 
 
 Suddenly the huge canvas city rang with 
 drum and bugle. A few minutes more and 
 the god of day was manifest low down in 
 the heavens, and the encampment started into 
 life. With drumming and trumpeting the 
 white tents vomited forth their inmates, 
 who betook themselves to cleansing of them- 
 selves, their horses, and accoutrements with 
 exemplary assiduity. 
 
 A few minutes ago all had been wrapped 
 in profound stillness, broken only by the 
 hoarse challenge of the sentries ; now the 
 laughter and babble of a great multitude 
 filled the fresh morning air, and Gredel drew 
 her hood close about her face as gruesome
 
 ON THE ROAD TO MULICH. 249 
 
 oaths and coarse ribaldry smote upon her 
 ear ; for the babble of camps in those times 
 was ill-fitted for a modest maiden to listen 
 to, and, despite the advance of civilisation, 
 I fear it ever will be, albeit they do not 
 swear in these days like the famous army 
 of Flanders. 
 
 With dubious steps and much meandering 
 the two girls made their way along the lines. 
 Martha with considerable judgment had dis- 
 missed Albert Klopstock speedily. The honest 
 carrier had manifested such fierce disposition 
 to resent some of the rather coarse jests 
 passed upon them, that Martha felt he ran 
 the risk of sustaining rough usage personally, 
 and proving likewise a considerable hindrance 
 to their progress. 
 
 " Best send him back, Gredel," she whis- 
 pered. " He is a man and can ill bear the 
 taunts these ribalds throw at us. They'll 
 not dare do more than loose their scurrilous 
 tongues on us, but poor Albert might fare
 
 250 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 hardly for attempting to knock the teeth 
 down the foul throats that give vent to such 
 remarks." 
 
 Gredel assents with a shiver, and wraps 
 her hood still closely about her pretty face. 
 
 " Don't be frightened," whispers Martha 
 again. " We can scarce hope to accomplish 
 our mission without some unpleasantness, and 
 I feel quite equal to facing this scum if it 
 prove more troublesome." 
 
 But Martha was not destined to be so 
 tried. Further than coarse comment on 
 their presence, they met no interruption to 
 their progress. 
 
 On the side of a grassy knoll stood a 
 pavilion of somewhat larger dimensions than 
 the half score tents that surrounded it. 
 From a flagstaff some few yards in front of 
 the entrance, flew the blue and yellow banner 
 of Prussia's King, beneath which paced two 
 sentries meeting ever and anon in their 
 monotonous walk. At the foot of the hillock
 
 ON THE ROAD TO MULICH. 251 
 
 was a growth of scrub and brushwood, and 
 beneath the shelter thus afforded the two 
 girls crouched and considered what next 
 they were to do. 
 
 While they still pondered over this intricate 
 question, there issued abruptly from one of 
 the lesser tents a stout built man of medium 
 height and florid complexion, somewhat highly 
 arched brows, from beneath which gleamed 
 a pair of keen inquisitive eyes. He is attired 
 in simple uniform — close fitting military coat 
 of blue with red cuffs and collar, buff waist- 
 coat and breeches, white linen gaiters to the 
 knee. His sword is girt close about his 
 loins. He wears a cream- white round wig, 
 surmounted by a triangular hat with little 
 lace about it, and carries in his hand a 
 stout bamboo. 
 
 As he passes the flagstaff, the sentries halt 
 and present arms, which compliment the 
 florid-complexioned gentleman acknowledges 
 with a slight touch of his hat, and then
 
 252 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 advances with steady deliberate step towards 
 the scrub in which the girls lie watching. 
 
 " Here conies an officer of rank ! " ex- 
 claimed Martha. " Shall we appeal to him ? 
 We'd best ask him to bring us to speech with 
 his Majesty." 
 
 Greclel nodded assent, and as the officer 
 n eared their hiding-place the two girls issued 
 from the covert, and Martha dropping a 
 curtsey, planted herself in his path and 
 exclaimed deprecatingly, "Sir — " 
 
 " What do you here ? " replied the officer 
 with a rapid flourish of the bamboo and a 
 keen glance of his inquisitive eyes. 
 
 " Sir, we would see the King," said the 
 chambermaid. / 
 
 "What do you want to see the King 
 about ? " 
 
 "That is what we would tell to his Ma- 
 jesty," retorted Martha saucily. 
 
 "You are pert of speech, girl," said the 
 officer sharply, and the somewhat dangerous
 
 ON THE ROAD TO MULICH. 253 
 
 glitter that lit up the inquisitive eyes gave 
 warning their owner was not safe to jest or 
 bandy words with. 
 
 Neither tone nor glance were lost upon 
 Gredel. She hurriedly exclaimed, 
 
 " Heed her not, sir. But if you can bring 
 me to speech with the King I pray you do so. 
 It is on a matter of life and death. 
 
 " To whom?" 
 
 " Caspar Zimmermann, sir." 
 
 11 Who's he ? " inquired the gentleman of the 
 bamboo. u Brother, father, lover, friend? " 
 
 "He's my betrothed, sir. He has been kid- 
 napped and brought to this camp." 
 
 " Who by?" 
 
 " Some of his Majesty's soldiers who were 
 recruiting at Zweidorf," replied Gredel. 
 
 " What ! " said the florid gentleman sternly, 
 "you dare to say the King's soldiers are kid- 
 nappers?" 
 
 " Yes, we do," cried Martha, shrilly and 
 petulantly, "and will prove it could we but 
 see the King."
 
 254 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " Well, you do see hint," replied the officer, 
 as lie leant upon his stick and gazed search- 
 ingly into the chambermaid's face. " I am the 
 King." 
 
 "Pardon, sire," cried Gredel, as she 
 sank at his feet, "I knew you not. I 
 have come from Zweidorf to implore justice at 
 your hands." 
 
 " Substantiate your story, and you shall 
 have it," replied the King, raising her. 
 
 As for Martha, her eyes opened wide with 
 astonishment. That plainly -dressed officer the 
 King — whose uniform was not nearly so rich 
 as Captain von Hompesch's. For a few 
 seconds she stared speechless, then flopping 
 down upon her knees, exclaimed, 
 
 U I beg pardon, your Majesty. If your 
 Majesty would excuse my rudeness. If I had 
 but guessed. I didn't know your Majesty — " 
 
 " Was my Majesty, eh ? Stand up." 
 
 For a few seconds Martha remained motion- 
 less, then rose and curtseyed.
 
 ON THE ROAD TO MULICH. 255 
 
 "His Majesty forgot his maimers," she 
 muttered to herself. " He never gave me a 
 hand as he did Gredel." 
 
 " This Zimmermann you say," continued the 
 King, addressing himself to Gredel, "has been 
 kidnapped by my soldiers at Zweidorf. Their 
 names." 
 
 "Captain von Hompesch and Sergeant 
 Hoffmann." 
 
 " How do you know this ? " 
 
 " Caspar is missing, sire, and all search for 
 him has proved bootless. Sergeant Hoffmann 
 and some soldiers left Zweidorf at the very 
 time of his disappearance." 
 
 " Was he seen with them ?" 
 
 "No, your Majesty, but they carried him 
 off with them for all that," replied Gredel 
 earnestly. 
 
 " It strikes me, young woman," said the 
 King, " that you are taking up my time with 
 a most absurd story. You are not the first 
 wench whose sweetheart has thought better of
 
 256 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 putting his neck 'neath the matrimonial yoke 
 when it came to the point. The soldiers were 
 seen leaving the town and this young man 
 was not with them. He has run away, I 
 make no doubt, but it was of his own free 
 will." 
 
 " But, may it please your Majesty, there 
 was a big chest with them," interposed 
 Martha. 
 
 "Well, you goose, you don't suppose her 
 sweetheart was in that, do you ? " rejoined 
 King Friedrich, laughing. 
 
 " Even so," cried the chambermaid vehe- 
 mently. " I dare swear Caspar Zimmermann 
 left Zweidorf in that chest — dead or alive." 
 
 "My liege " exclaimed Gredel passionately, 
 as she marked the King's incredulous smile. 
 " We have good warrant for the truth of what 
 she says. Men say you are just. If you 
 would right a broken-hearted girl direct that 
 the affair may be inquired into, I beseech you. 
 It may seem a subject for your Majesty to jest
 
 ON THE ROAD TO MULICH. 257 
 
 on, but it is matter of bitter anguish to 
 me." 
 
 " You give free licence to your tongue, 
 mistress," retorted the King with some 
 asperity. 
 
 " Pardon, my liege, if my speech be too bold, 
 but no timid advocate would serve Caspar 
 now," replied Gredel with downcast eyes. 
 "To those in earnest, plain speaking comes 
 naturally. If I have offended I crave for- 
 giveness." 
 
 " The wench talks well," mused the King. 
 " The loss of a lover is no light matter to a 
 woman in either the spring time or autumn 
 of her life. In the meridian of her charms she 
 bears such misadventure philosophically. I 
 will inquire into this, girl," he continued 
 aloud. Then raising his voice, he exclaimed 
 authoritatively, " Sweltmann ! " 
 
 In reply to the summons, issued from one 
 of the tents an officer in much richer attire 
 than his sovereign, who came rapidly to the 
 
 vol. 1. s
 
 258 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 King's side and there mutely awaited his 
 commands. 
 
 " The recruiting party that were at Zweidorf 
 have, I hear, come in," said Friedrich brusquely. 
 " The quitting of a post without orders requires 
 justification. See Captain von Hompesch 
 and Sergeant Hoffmann attend here at once — 
 and as prisoners." 
 
 Sweltmann briefly saluted and departed on 
 his errand. The staff officer knew his 
 monarch well, and that he held the bandying 
 of words in much detestation ; otherwise he 
 had already heard Ycm Hompesch' s story of 
 his flight from Zweidorf. 
 
 For a few seconds after Sweltmann's depar- 
 ture Friedrich paced meditatively up and 
 down ; then suddenly stopping with bent 
 brows in front of the two girls, he stabbed the 
 ground fiercely with his bamboo, and ex- 
 claimed, 
 
 "Now, mark me, you have appealed to 
 me for justice — you shall have it ! You have
 
 ON THE ROAD TO MULICH. 259 
 
 denounced my soldiers as kidnappers. If they 
 are proved so, yourselves shall witness their 
 punishment; but if not — to prison go the 
 pair of you as liars and women of worthless 
 character. Hold yourselves lucky that ye 
 'scape the stocks or the whipping-post in 
 such case. Take heed ! You are free to go 
 now. Stay, and you abide the result of the 
 inquiry. Choose." 
 
 " I do," replied Gredel with spirit. u I 
 will risk all to save Caspar. As there is a 
 heaven above us, sire, I have spoken but the 
 truth." 
 
 " Oh ! dear," whispered Martha, " this is 
 very awkward. You see Caspar is your lover, 
 not mine. It does make a difference, you 
 know. And when I think of the Sergeant's 
 marvellous capacity for lying — " 
 
 l< Very well, wench. And that other, does 
 she go or stay ? " said the King, indicating 
 Martha with his stick. "A few minutes more 
 and it will be too late." 
 
 s 2
 
 260 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " I can't abandon my mistress, please your 
 Majesty," retorted the chambermaid boldly. 
 
 " Good," said the King. " You have high 
 courage, and if your tongues have spoken 
 falsely you'll need it. We'll keep our word, 
 rely on't," and turning on his heel Friedrich 
 resumed his walk. 
 
 " Ah ! Gredel," said Martha, " heaven send 
 our brains are at their brightest for the next 
 half-hour. Now is woman's wit about to be 
 fitted against man's knavery. Caspar's liberty 
 and ours all depend upon our being able to 
 unmask the most unblushing liar in Christen- 
 dom."
 
 CHAPTEE XY. 
 
 woman's wit triumphant. 
 
 There are critical epochs in our lives when 
 the minutes seem hours ; when our destiny 
 seems hanging upon the pulsations of the 
 clock. The few moments before one of these 
 tragedies of our existence seem interminable. 
 Yet to the most of us there happen some three 
 or four such dramatic situations in our 
 journey through life. More keenly noted 
 these seras in their life's history by the few 
 than the many. 
 
 Gredel Sydow, though she may wrap her 
 cloak ever so closely about her, cannot 
 suppress a slight shiver. It is not cold ; it is the 
 tremor of anxiety that runs through her veins.
 
 262 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 Our pluck may be undeniable, but we cannot 
 altogether control our nervous system. Gredel 
 feels that she is about to wage an unequal 
 combat for what she prizes most in this world. 
 Martha does her best to comfort her mistress ; 
 but sanguine and high of heart as the cham- 
 bermaid usually is, yet she too at this moment 
 is crossed with misgivings when she recalls 
 Hoffmann's slippery ways and cunning tongue. 
 The King meantime, his stick under his 
 arm and his hands clasped loosely behind his 
 back, paces deliberately up and down, his 
 thoughts apparently far away; pausing ever 
 and anon to scrutinise the canvas city within 
 his sight with keen penetrating gaze. A 
 shrewd eye hath King Friedrich for military 
 apparel and accoutrement; button awry or 
 buckle in the wrong place is wont to occasion 
 the outpourings of the royal wrath pointed 
 by much gesticulation with the bamboo, and 
 often culminating in swift punishment to the 
 offender ; has been known indeed to adminis-
 
 WOMAN'S WIT TRIUMPHANT. 263 
 
 ter the bamboo with his own royal hands 
 when provoked past all bearing. 
 
 Suddenly a group appears advancing rapidly 
 towards the King. It is Sweltmann, by whose 
 side walks Yon Hompesch divested of his 
 sword. Behind them march a small body of 
 grenadiers, in the midst of whom is Hoffmann. 
 Yery downcast looks the Sergeant; his cat- 
 like eyes are bent upon the ground, though 
 he steals occasional glances from beneath his 
 eyelids in the direction of his sovereign. He 
 is painfully impressed with the idea that his 
 time has come, and that he is about to make 
 atonement, sore against his will, for a long 
 career of fraud and rapine. 
 
 Yery different is the bearing of his Captain. 
 Yon Hompesch looks as cool and nonchalant as 
 ever, although he too has a glimmering that 
 the cards are running against him. But 
 danger never cowed Yon Hompesch yet, and 
 he can call to mind bitterer straits than this, 
 out of which he has won his way safely. He
 
 264 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 is not, indeed, as yet quite conscious of the 
 charge against him, although he makes a 
 shrewd guess that it is concerning his doings 
 at Zweidorf ; still, he thinks there is nothing 
 the magnates of that city can allege against 
 him which cannot be met with a little auda- 
 city. One thought only really perturbs him, 
 and that is the obviously upset condition of 
 Hoffmann's nervous system. " If the hound 
 don't blench," he muttered, "nothing can 
 come of it. He has plenty of invention if his 
 courage don't fail him." 
 
 And now they are in front of the King, 
 and with military salute, Sweltmann reports, 
 u Your Majesty's orders are obeyed." 
 
 At this moment the Sergeant's eyes fell upon 
 the two girls. 
 
 " It's all over," he whispered hoarsely to 
 Yon Hompesch ; " my feet will be off the 
 ground in half an hour. I have dreaded all 
 my life that I should come to be hanged, and 
 who shall say now that I have been afraid 
 without cause ? "
 
 WOMAN'S WIT TRIUMPHANT. 265 
 
 " Courage, fool," returned the Captain, in 
 a fierce undertone. " I tell you, except by 
 your own confession, no harm can come to 
 you; nothing can be proved against you.'' 
 
 Despite his bold front, the Captain was much 
 disconcerted at the appearance of Gredel Sydow 
 and Martha. He, however, allowed no sign 
 of this to escape him, and raised his hat to 
 the former with his habitual mocking smile; 
 a courtesy to which Gredel returned only a 
 flashing glance of indignation. 
 
 But now the harsh authoritative voice of 
 King Friedrich put an end to further observa- 
 tion, as bending his eyes keenly upon Yon 
 Hompesch, he remarked abruptly, " You have 
 left your post without orders, sir. Your 
 reasons ? " 
 
 The Captain knew his interlocutor well, and 
 that brevity and terseness of speech were held 
 in high esteem by him. He replied curtly, 
 " Attempting to maintain an untenable post 
 is contrary to military law. Popular feeling
 
 266 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 ran so high against us, we were in danger of 
 being roughly handled; I made a virtue of 
 necessity, your Majesty, and withdrew before 
 I was thrust out by violence.' ' 
 
 " You did right," interposed Friedrich. 
 
 " Further, my mission was ended. In the 
 present temper of the town, there is no likeli- 
 hood of obtaining recruits for your Majesty's 
 service." 
 
 " What gave occasion to that feeling ? " 
 
 " False rumours of the forcible abduction 
 of some of the citizens," replied Yon Hom- 
 pesch drily. Then fixing his regards upon 
 Gredel, he added, in slow measured voice, 
 " Notably, the disappearance of a carpenter, 
 named Zimmermann." 
 
 " True rumours, true, true ! They were the 
 gospel truth, your Majesty ! " cried Martha. 
 
 " Silence, wench ! " thundered the King. 
 " Here, you Hoffmann, what know you con- 
 cerning this Caspar Zimmermann ? " 
 
 The Sergeant stole a glance from the corners
 
 WOMAN'S WIT TRIUMPHANT. 267 
 
 of his eyes at the two girls, as he replied, 
 " Very little good, please your Majesty." 
 
 " Slanderer ! " cried Gredel passionately. 
 
 " Silence, girl ! " said the King sharply. 
 " What kind of man was he ? " 
 
 " A drunken good-for-nothing toss-pot, ever 
 ready for a glass or a frolic. A man that 
 drove more nails into his constitution by his 
 excesses, than ever his hammer drove home in 
 the workshop/' 
 
 " I pray your Majesty give no heed to his 
 atrocious calumnies ! " exclaimed Gredel, with 
 clasped hands and imploring eyes. 
 
 " If you bridle not your tongue, mistress, 
 we must have you removed," retorted the King 
 sternly. 
 
 " A most stupendous liar, Gredel, as I told 
 you," whispered Martha. "But they trip at 
 times, these folks, so excellent in falsity. 
 Watch closely, wait patiently, is a motto that 
 pays well for the following." 
 
 " You brought with you out of Zweidorf
 
 268 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 a large chest," continued the King, addressing 
 Hoffmann. "What did it contain? By the 
 shade of Barbarossa, you'd best not juggle 
 with the truth ! " 
 
 For a few moments the Sergeant hesitated. 
 The monarch's brow began to lower, and he 
 twirled the bamboo impatiently between his 
 fingers. Both Gredel and Yon Hompesch, 
 with dilated eyes, watched Hoffmann's quiver- 
 ing lips. At last he faltered forth, 
 
 " It was locked, please your Majesty, when 
 given into my charge by Captain von Hom- 
 pesch." 
 
 "Its contents?" said the King, turning 
 sharply on the latter. 
 
 "Wearing apparel and other articles inci- 
 dental to a gentleman's wardrobe," replied the 
 Captain with a bow, and slight shrug of his 
 shoulders. 
 
 " And this Zimmermann left not Zweidorf in 
 your company ? " continued Friedrich, once 
 more addressing Hoffmann.
 
 WOMAN'S WIT TRIUMPHANT 269 
 
 "No, your Majesty," 
 
 Gredel's face fell ; but Martha's shrewd 
 black eyes watched the Sergeant keenly. As 
 for Von Hompeseh, he drew a breath of relief 
 as he heard his coadjutor's cool denial, and 
 muttered with a low laugh, "Ah! my pretty 
 Gredel, the game goes against you ; if I fail 
 to win you myself, I've at all events ex- 
 tinguished the carpenter." 
 
 For a few seconds there was silence. All 
 eyes were bent upon the King, who stabbed 
 the turf at his feet with a stick; at last 
 turning to Gredel he exclaimed, "We have 
 investigated your story, young woman, and 
 find no shadow of foundation for your charges. 
 You have indulged in malicious accusation 
 based solely upon your own wild imagination. 
 You have called my soldiers kidnappers for no 
 better reason, forsooth, than that your lover 
 has proved false to you. Had your case been 
 made out against them, we had dealt out 
 sharp punishment to the accused; as it is,
 
 270 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 justice demands that ye who prefer such 
 groundless imputations should pay the penalty 
 of your libel upon honest folk ; a couple of 
 months' imprisonment will be a warning to 
 you to keep your scandalous tongue under 
 due control in future." 
 
 Gredel drew herself up to her full height, 
 and looked her judge proudly in the face, 
 as she made answer. The bright blue eyes 
 met the King's unflinchingly as she replied, 
 
 " My liege, I make no complaint. I knew 
 the risk I ran and recked it little. If I 
 am not to see Caspar again, what happens 
 to me is small matter. Had I saved my lover 
 I had saved myself. The time will come 
 when your Majesty will recognise the truth 
 and acknowledge that my lips are all un- 
 stained of falsehood. But I crave one thing 
 at your hands. Let the punishment fall on 
 me alone ; mine the offending, let mine only 
 be the penalty. Suffer not this foolish girl, 
 whose sole fault has been her devotion to
 
 WOMAN'S WIl y TRIUMPHANT. 271 
 
 her mistress, to pay so dearly for the love 
 she bears me. Let my sentence be expiation 
 for both. Surely the imprisonment of my 
 poor self will suffice for the folly of deeming 
 that the mere truth could prevail over such a 
 pair of accomplished liars;" and with a 
 defiant flash of her blue eyes at Von Hom- 
 pesch, Gredel ceased speaking. 
 
 " Nay, Gredel, I will share your fate," 
 cried Martha warmly, " let it be what it may. 
 But I beg your Majesty's permission to make 
 yet one more effort to unmask that audacious 
 villain," and the chambermaid pointed her 
 finger at Hoffmann. 
 
 11 Speak," returned the King; " but take 
 heed you don't aggravate your offence." 
 
 The Sergeant grew uneasy. He had 
 experience already of the chambermaid's 
 shrewd wit, and liked not the idea of her 
 being not yet at the end of her resources. 
 " These girls once under lock and key," he 
 thought, "and I should be safe."
 
 272 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 "His tongue cannot tell the truth,'' cried 
 Martha shrilly ; " but I will make his face 
 confess it in spite of himself. Will your 
 Majesty deign to command that all recruits 
 that have joined the camp in the last twenty- 
 four hours should be brought before you. 
 " Hah ! •" she exclaimed, pointing to Hoffmann 
 once more. " Mark his face now, my liege, 
 for the truth is written there." 
 
 And of a verity the Sergeant's countenance 
 gave signs of much mental disturbance. 
 
 As for Von Hompesch, he simply shrugged 
 his shoulders as he muttered, " Checkmate ; 
 the game is gone." 
 
 " You are sharp-witted girl," exclaimed the 
 King ; " and would fain have one more throw 
 for it before you make acquaintance with 
 a prison, eh ? Here, Sweltmann, quick, the 
 return of those recruits." 
 
 " There were but three joined within that 
 time, your Majesty," replied the aide-de-camp, 
 "of those, two are with the regiment of 
 Posen close by."
 
 WOMAN'S WIT TRIUMPHANT. 273 
 
 " Let them be at once brought before us," 
 returned Friedrich shortly. 
 
 Sweltmann disappeared in pursuance of 
 his monarch's command, and once more the 
 two girls whispered together, while the King 
 as before resumed his walk. 
 
 As for Von Hompesch, he awaited the 
 result with the stoic calmness habitual to 
 him in times of emergency. Vainly did the 
 luckless Hoffmann, already writhing in his 
 premature agonies, like a pin -pierced cock- 
 chafer, seek to catch the eye of his chief. 
 The Captain vouchsafed him not a glance. 
 Not likely that a battered marauder like Von 
 Hompesch would deign to take much thought 
 of his subordinates, when he saw his own self 
 in such eminent danger. Von Hompesch 
 was of a stamp common enough in those 
 days. He would have stood by his followers 
 to the last, and fought like a lion to bring 
 them through, the rope being, to speak 
 figuratively, reeved alike round his neck and 
 
 vol. 1. t
 
 274 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 theirs. But he would sacrifice his comrades 
 without compunction when he deemed his 
 interests required it. Not a particle of 
 cowardice about this. It was mere cool selfish 
 calculation. He had stepped to the gallows 
 without blenching at the head of his men, 
 but would have seen them all precede him 
 there, had he deemed he could save his 
 own life by so doing. 
 
 He had no more mind to die than Hoffmann, 
 but, like the wolf, when the toils closed about 
 him, he could perish without a whimper. The 
 Sergeant, on the contrary, would make the 
 heavens ring again with his shrill clamours. 
 If he was a great scoundrel, of a surety he 
 expiated it to a great extent in this world, for 
 his heart was small as his capability for evil 
 was large. His terror of the consequences of 
 his misdeeds was no inadequate punishment 
 for the offending, even when no further atone- 
 ment was exacted of him. At the present he 
 stands with bloodless cheeks, quivering lips,
 
 WOMAN'S WIT TRIUMPHANT. 275 
 
 and shaking knees, mutely appealing to his 
 Captain in his agony, and deriving such com- 
 fort as he may from the contemplation of that 
 officer's back. 
 
 "I can't tell what put it into my head, 
 Gredel," whispers Martha, " but we're saved, I 
 know we are. Look at yonder coward's face, is 
 it not written there ? Faugh ! to think those 
 ashen lips ever fouled my cheek." 
 
 And now once more Sweltmann appears with 
 his escort, and this time in the centre walk 
 two tall men upon whom their uniform sits as 
 yet but awkwardly. 
 
 u Caspar ! " cried Gredel, with streaming eyes 
 as she recognised her lover's athletic frame. 
 
 " Herr Zimmermann ! '' screamed Martha, 
 clapping her hands. 
 
 " The cursed carpenter," muttered Von 
 Hompesch drily, as he solaced himself with 
 a pinch of snuff. 
 
 "The gallows," gibbered Hoffmann, with a 
 quick upward glance at his late victim.
 
 276 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 "Hah," said the King raising his bamboo 
 and tapping Caspar on the shoulder. u This 
 then is Caspar Zimmermann ? " 
 
 " Even so, please your Majesty," replied Cas- 
 par with a clumsy attempt at a military salute. 
 
 Ere another word could be spoken Gredel 
 crossed swiftly to her lover's side and clasping 
 her hands about his arm, raised her head 
 proudly and exclaimed, " My liege, I am 
 even now so far absolved from false accusation 
 and evil speaking that I may venture to plead 
 for further inquiry into the truth of my story." 
 
 "And if ever your Majesty had the mis- 
 chance to set eyes upon a proven liar, 
 methinks there's a face gives evidence the 
 owner belongs to the guild," cried Martha, 
 pointing to the Sergeant. 
 
 " Peace, girls ! " cried the King sharply. 
 " Tell your story, you Zimmermann; how 
 came you here ? " 
 
 "Like a calf in a crate, sire. The Baron 
 there bade me make him a chest in which to
 
 WOMAN'S WIT TRIUMPHANT. 277 
 
 send off what he had laid his unscrupulous 
 fingers upon in Zweidorf. I took his order 
 and he me for plenishing the same." 
 
 " No paltering with the truth, fellow. Do 
 you mean to say that you were carried out of 
 Zweidorf in that chest we have heard so much 
 of, and against your will ? " 
 
 " Even so and sore against my will," replied 
 Caspar briefly. 
 
 " What, a man of your inches coffined in that 
 wise without his own consent ! " exclaimed the 
 King in astonishment. 
 
 M It was with his own free will your Majesty. 
 He stepped into it without compulsion," cried 
 Hoffmann excitedly. " He vowed he knew not 
 how to escape from the town otherwise." 
 
 " He speaks truth in some measure," replied 
 Zimmermann, with a contemptuous glance at his 
 old enemy. "I stepped into it as the sparrow 
 into a schoolboy's trap. No goose that ever was 
 egged so addle-pated as I, my liege. A silly 
 wager that the chest was not of the size ordered
 
 278 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 induced me to get into it to prove the correct- 
 ness of my work. They shut the lid on me 
 and I was helplefcs. When they next raised it 
 some miles out of Zweidorf, I was nearer 
 coffined than kidnapped and with little strength 
 left for resistance." 
 
 "What have you to say, sir?" exclaimed 
 Friedrich sternly, turning to Von Hompesch. 
 
 "Only that your Majesty has a whim for 
 grenadiers, and that I have not spared my 
 life to gratify your Majesty's wishes," replied 
 the Captain boldly. " I risked my neck at Zwei- 
 dorf to obtain suitable recruits. If in my zeal 
 I have overstepped the limits of my mission, 
 that very zealousness should plead for me now. 
 If you are never worse served, sire, you will 
 have scant cause of complaint." 
 
 " Insolent ! " thundered Friedrich, " off with 
 his epaulets, and let him once more trail a musket 
 in the ranks. Eecruiting, sir, is no commission 
 for kidnapping in our service. You had best 
 begin your alphabet again, and may understand
 
 WOMAJSTS WIT TRIUMPHANT. 279 
 
 in time how to construe the orders intrusted 
 to you." 
 
 Quick as thought under Sweltmann's auspices 
 the epaulets were wrenched from Yon Hom- 
 pesch's shoulders, but the Captain showed 
 slight sign of emotion. He knew that when 
 his monarch's wrath had once expended itself, 
 his crime was of a kind that would seem 
 venial in the King's eyes ; that he had 
 good friends who would see him speedily 
 reinstated, — notably His Excellency Secken- 
 dorf, battered, unscrupulous adventurer of his 
 own class, who had been his original patron. 
 
 " To the halberds with the other," con- 
 tinued Friedrich sternly, " See if three hun- 
 dred lashes penetrate that skin of mendacity 
 in which he is wrapped ; " and despite his 
 piteous appeals for mercy, the luckless Hoff- 
 mann was borne off by the guard to confront 
 his doom. Sole consolation to that afflicted 
 man-stealer that the lash not the cord was 
 his destiny. " Better the halberds than the 
 gibbet," moaned the Sergeant in his agony.
 
 280 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 " Caspar Zimmermann," said the King, 
 "you have been trepanned into the wearing 
 of our uniform and are free to discard it 
 if you list. But to a man of your inches, 
 what better opening can you want than to 
 serve under our banner ? "We can promise 
 you good pay and speedy promotion if your 
 deserts do but warrant it." 
 
 " Oh ! your Majesty, please," gasped 
 Gredel, clinging closely to her lover's arm 
 and utterly dumb -foundered at this new 
 appeal to Caspar's vanity. 
 
 Friedrich was a thorough recruiting-ser- 
 geant at heart, and could ill bear the idea 
 of such a strapping young fellow as the 
 carpenter slipping through his fingers. 
 Though his sense of right and justice im- 
 pelled him to deal sharply with his agents, 
 he was loth to lose altogether one who had 
 the making of such a grenadier as Caspar, 
 and could not resist the temptation of trying 
 personally to clench what Von Hompesch
 
 WOMAN'S WIT TRIUMPHANT. 281 
 
 and Hoffmann had so fraudulently begun. " I 
 will rate you sergeant to start upon," said 
 the King, prodding the turf fiercely with his 
 bamboo. 
 
 "If he listens to this," muttered Martha, 
 " then two more foolish women than Gredel 
 and I never left Zweidorf." 
 
 "I am very grateful, my liege," replied 
 Caspar quietly and deliberately, "but I think 
 your Majesty will own that I owe something 
 to the girl who has risked so much to rescue 
 me. Most respectfully I must decline your 
 Majesty's offer." 
 
 "Pshaw, wench, you don't mean to say so 
 brave a girl as you have proved yourself, 
 would stand in the way of your sweetheart's 
 advancement." 
 
 " I can't spare him, indeed I can't, your 
 Majesty," cried Gredel, plaintively clinging 
 still closer to her lover's arm. 
 
 Martha had been silent so long that the 
 temptation to speak became irresistible. 
 
 vol. 1. u
 
 282 COURTSHIP IN 1720. 
 
 k< My liege, " she cried, " can you not see 
 that big as he is, he is quite incapable of 
 taking care of himself. If he gets not a 
 wife speedily, there is no saying what may 
 befall him." 
 
 u She speaks truth, your Majesty,'' said 
 Caspar, laughing ? " If I am fain to decline 
 serving your Highness, it is but in accordance 
 with the old law c Love has usually mastered 
 ambition.' God's truth ! as Martha says, after 
 my last mischance, I think I need shrewder 
 wits than mine own to watch over me." 
 
 Greclel's blue eyes glance tenderly up at 
 her lover, and a loving smile meets him 
 as he looks down upon her face. 
 
 " Be it so, then," replied the King, " ye 
 are free to depart." 
 
 The lovers fell at the monarch's feet and 
 faltered forth their thanks. 
 
 " Enough," said Friedrich, raising Gredel 
 from her knees. " See you make her a good 
 husband, Herr Zimmermann, for she deserves
 
 WOMAN'S WIT TRIUMPHANT. 283 
 
 it. Accept this, girl, as token that your belief in 
 Friedrich's justice was not misplaced,' ' and so 
 speaking the monarch dropped a ring of some 
 value into Gredel's hand. " And now, Mis- 
 tress Malapert, have you aught else to say ? " 
 he continued, addressing Martha. 
 
 The chambermaid paused for a moment and 
 looked maliciously to where Von Hompesch, 
 his epaulets gone, yet stood, with a musketeer 
 on either side of him, prisoner. 
 
 " Only to thank your Majesty for your 
 gracious kindness,'' replied Martha, with a 
 low reverence, " and to congratulate Captain 
 von Hompesch," here she made him a mock 
 curtsey, " on having so satisfactorily put an 
 end to Caspar's courtship." 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
 PBINTKIi BY TAYl.ou till CO. 
 LITTLE WUEisS faTKiiET, LlXCOL>'S EJI* ilKLDS.
 
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