Dr. Gebhard read: "Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg, however, eluded the investigation by flight in the night-time, and despite a guard set. In an unusual way and in utter contempt of your highness's received orders, he secretly escaped."[51]
"Now," cried the Elector passionately, "would you maintain, that my States have reported to me what is not true?"
"It is true," said Count Schwarzenberg. "I saw myself forced to escape unjust pursuit, and—"
"Forced by your bad conscience, sir," interrupted the Elector impatiently. "You left it for others to draw out of the fire the chestnuts which you had thrown in, and when you found out that I was not the timid, powerless Prince you supposed me to be, who could be frightened at a contest with you and your faction and awed by your glory and dignity; when you saw that I would bring you to justice, you evaded the course of law and fled precipitately from the judges."
"Because I knew that these judges were my enemies, and that he who was at their head, President von Götze, had been my father's implacable foe of old."
"That is to say, he had been of old an honest, true Brandenburger, not merely having proved himself an incorruptible man, but never having condescended to bribe others for the sake of obtaining honor, position, or wealth for himself."
"Your highness," called out the count hastily, "would you defame my father even in his grave?"
"Have I pronounced your father's name?" asked the Elector, with dignity.
"Is it not rather you who asperse your late father's fame by referring to him what I said with regard to bribery?"
The count cast down his eyes and was silent. Frederick William now turned by a slow movement of the head to Count Martinitz.