"It would be great fun, though, to make an omelette!" cried the crown prince, holding his hands over the rest of his spoil.
"Alas! we have plenty of time," murmured General Brandis.
"Listen!" cried Meding, springing to his feet.
"A cannon shot," said Count Ingelheim, putting his hand to his car.
"Impossible!" remarked the adjutant-general; "where should it come from? The general staff does not expect an attack."
A short, heavy, distant sound was heard.
"Those are certainly guns!" cried Count Wedel.
"I think they are beginning to growl," said General Brandis, rising and drinking off the rest of his grog with a look of satisfaction. "It would be as well to mount!"
"Shall his majesty be awakened?" asked Count Wedel.
"It will be time enough to call him if anything serious really appears," said Colonel Dammers. "I will go up to the top of the house, from whence one can overlook the whole plain."