It was a lovely morning in July when Prince Roland walked into the shadow of the handsome tower which to-day is all that survives of the Elector’s palace at Hochst, on the river Main. He found Greusel there awaiting him, but none of the others. When the two had greeted one another, the Prince said:
“Joseph, I determined several days ago to appoint you my lieutenant on this expedition.”
“If you take my advice, Roland, you will do nothing of the kind.”
“Why?”
“Because it may be looked upon as favoritism, and so promote jealously in the ranks, which is a thing to avoid.”
“Whom would you suggest for the place?”
“Conrad Kurzbold.”
“What! and run the risk of divided authority? I am determined to be commander, you know.”
“Kurzbold, even if made lieutenant, would be as much under your orders as the rest of us. He is an energetic man, and you may thus direct his energy along the right path. From being a critic, he will become one of the criticised, giving him something to think about. Then your appointment of him would show that you bear no ill-feeling for what he said last night.”
“You appear to think, Greusel, that it is the duty of a commander to curry favor with his following.”