'When there is the question of our skins!' answered the new-comer.
'My dear councillor Loss, our skins sown together would not cover a comfortable seat. Everything rests on someone who has broader shoulders than ours. Have you heard anything?'
'Just what everyone expected; Sulkowski is prime minister.'
'Very interesting indeed!' Henniche hissed. 'Sulkowski, being a Catholic, cannot preside at state councils in Protestant Saxony, unless he becomes a Lutheran, and should he do this the Prince would spit in his face, not to speak of the Princess.'
'You are right,' said Councillor Globig, 'I never thought of that.'
'You forget,' said Loss showing a row of long teeth, 'that his majesty can change the law.'
'Without convocation of the diet?' asked Henniche.
'Yes, here he is ruler,' replied Loss, 'and Saxony is not Poland, where the nobles do as they please and the King is obliged to bow to their will.'
Henniche cleared his throat, for steps were heard at the door and at that moment there appeared a large, fat man, who without taking off his hat, looked at the three men.
He was another councillor. Hammer.