'To Stockholm?' asked Duecker, startled. 'Now, directly? For what purpose, captain? Do you wish to become one of the wheels in the machinery of politics which are now destructively working in opposition to each other? You appear to me to be much too honest-hearted for that.'
'From Charles's best friend I will conceal nothing,' said Arwed resolutely. 'According to my calculation Goertz must now either be in Stockholm or will soon arrive there. I would warn that true servant of our late king, that he may be able to escape from the hands of his revengeful enemies.'
'For which thought may heaven reward you!' cried Duecker, 'but I fear the issue. In the first place, the prince of Hesse is your chief, and it will be difficult to procure from him the desired permission, and secondly, you will hardly be able to outstrip the speed of the officers already under way for the arrest of Goertz.'
'Obtain me but the permission, general,' persisted Arwed: 'the rest shall be my care. I ride a Norman of unequalled speed and bottom.'
'I will make the effort,' said Duecker; 'but hardly hope for success. Since Charles's death I am only the late Duecker, and my influence has become a shadow.'
He had proceeded as far as the door when he was met by colonel Brenner. 'I come to take leave of you, my old friend,' said the latter, heartily embracing the general. 'I go this moment with post-horses to the capital.'
'Every body seems to wish to go to Stockholm tonight,' said Duecker. 'What hast thou to ask there?'
'His royal highness the prince of Hesse, as he already suffers himself to be called,' answered Brenner ironically, 'has already sent forward his beloved and trusty Siquier with the mournful news. It might afterwards, however, have occurred to him that it would not seem exactly proper to leave the communication of so important an event to the equivocal Frenchman. Wherefore must an honorable Swede follow him as the messenger of death; and as I might perhaps be troublesome here, I am in mercy selected for that duty.'
'Will you do me a pleasure and take the captain with you?' said Duecker. 'He has a sudden and urgent call to Stockholm, and may not in any other way be able to obtain leave of absence.'
'The prince has allowed me to choose my companion,' answered Brenner; 'and what would I not do to pleasure you? We set off directly, captain. Farewell till happier times, my Duecker!'