CHAPTER II
TREATS OF A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE
When Otto mounted to his rolling prison he found another occupant in a corner of the front seat; but as this person hung his head and the brightness of the carriage-lamps shone outward, the Prince could only see it was a man. The Colonel followed his prisoner and clapped-to the door; and at that the four horses broke immediately into a swinging trot.
“Gentlemen,” said the Colonel, after some little while had passed, “if we are to travel in silence, we might as well be at home. I appear, of course, in an invidious character; but I am a man of taste, fond of books and solidly informing talk, and unfortunately condemned for life to the guard-room. Gentlemen, this is my chance: don’t spoil it for me. I have here the pick of the whole court, barring lovely woman; I have a great author in the person of the Doctor——”
“Gotthold!” cried Otto.
“It appears,” said the Doctor bitterly, “that we must go together. Your Highness had not calculated upon that.”
“What do you infer?” cried Otto; “that I had you arrested?”
“The inference is simple,” said the Doctor.