"To give me Colonel Cordemann as chief of the general staff."
The king was silent for a moment.
"A new chief of the general staff too," he said, half speaking to himself. "It is right," he continued, "for you to have a chief of the staff of your own choosing. Colonel Dammers, will you prepare what is needful? and will you, General Brandis, inform General von Sichart in the most considerate manner----"
"The general has sought me already, requesting me to bid your majesty adieu for him," replied General Brandis.
"Brave man!" cried the king. "But I will see him shortly, and take leave of him personally. And now, gentlemen, to work. Ernest, I beg you to send me the privy councillor."
The crown prince and the officers left the room.
With a deep sigh the king leant back in his chair. He listened thoughtfully to the sounds of voices and footsteps which rose from the street below, mingled with military signals, the trampling of horses, and the trumpet calls, and he whispered to himself:
"Nec aspera terrent!"
The newly-organized general staff was installed in the aula of the university, and worked unceasingly at the mobilization of the army, and the preparations for its march.
Whilst the whole town was thus feverishly restless and active, a carriage drove quickly to the railway station.