"Meyer," said the King, turning to his Commander-in-Chief, "is not this man a Von Hügelweiler?"
"Yes, your Majesty. A member of one of the oldest and most distinguished families in your kingdom?"
"The son of Heinrich Salvator von Hügelweiler, who fought in the trenches in '84?" persisted the monarch.
Again the Commander-in-Chief replied in the affirmative.
"He is tired of my service, Meyer," went on King in a low voice.
Von Hügelweiler's head sank onto his breast, as if weighed down with shame.
"Your Majesty can be served in more ways than one," he murmured.
"But in none so well as by the sword," returned the King. "When an officer resigns his commission on the eve of war we call him by an ugly name, Captain."
"But we are not on the eve of war, sire," expostulated the poor Captain.
"Pardon me," said Karl, "I think otherwise."