"Yes, and I fear he will do it!" answered the General, excitedly.
"You fear, your excellency?"
"Yes, there's been treachery, there's been foul villainy at work! They will surrender the fort, and then as soon as their garrison have been taken off as prisoners of war, and our men occupy the citadel, it will be blown up."
"God help us!" cried the young prince, excitedly. "Cannot General Falkenried be warned?"
"I fear we cannot possibly do it. I have already sent warnings by two different ways, but our direct course to R——— is cut off. The enemy holds the mountain pass, and it is quite impossible for the messengers to reach the place in time."
Egon was silent for a moment.
The pass was obstructed by the enemy. He knew that Eschenhagen's regiment was going forward to open it, but that would not be done for a day or two.
"We have thought of everything," continued the general, "but there isn't the faintest hope of doing anything. Falkenried will force them to close, he never turns back, and then he and hundreds, yes, thousands, of his men, will perish."
He began his walk again, too excited to keep still. But the young prince stood by helpless; then a sudden bright thought entered his mind.
"Your excellency?"