'Do you know why?'
'Lord's disgrace. God's disgrace.'
'No, it's trifling with the sleeper,' said Henniche. 'An intelligent man ought to put a sleeper on the altar and pray to it: the women do everything.'
'But they fall also: Cosel is in Stolpen.'
'And who overthrew Cosel?' asked Henniche. 'If you look through a glass you will see the white fingers of the Countess Denhoff and a small sleeper, under which the great King was held.'
Brühl sighed but made no remark.
'Your Excellency entered on a new life yesterday, and ought to remember one word: woman.'
'I remember it,' Brühl said gloomily, 'but we don't have time to talk about it. Then you are with me?'
'For life or death,' answered Henniche. 'I am a man of no importance but great experience; and believe me that my wisdom is quite equal to those who bear silver trays to drawing-rooms. I need make no secret to you that for a long time I served as a lackey and used to open the door. But before that they opened to me. My first experience was in Lützen as a revenue officer.'
'That is why I need you. The King needs money and the country is already overtaxed. The people groan and complain.'