In the midst of this, Christian's eye had observed me standing bonnet in hand, a little in the background, and he immediately said—
"Do you wish to address me, Herr Captain?"
"Whenever your majesty is at leisure."
"Speak now, Mein Herr."
"The daughter of Count Carlstein, whom your majesty has been pleased to protect, has sent me to beg that you will have the kindness to order her transmission, to that part of the Imperial lines where the troops of the count, her father, are cantoned."
"No officer in Stralsund would venture on such a service," said Sir Alexander Leslie, who was pleased to survey me with particular attention.
"Is the duty so sharp here, marshal?" asked the king.
"No man can venture a pistol-shot from the walls, as I am informed by Colonel Holka."
"Desperate though it be," said I; "I will gladly undertake this duty."
"Captain Rollo is one of my best officers," his majesty was pleased to reply; "and I assure you, marshal, that I cannot afford to lose him."