“Why do you say that, Karl?” asked the baron.
“Because he has planned to take your honor to Langführ at ten o’clock.”
“At ten or eleven—the hour is not of importance.”
“No! You must be there on the stroke of ten by the village clock. Langführ is on the Prussian border and under Prussian rule.”
“Prussia!” exclaimed Trenck, shaking his head, which Karl had not finished powdering. “Are you quite sure?”
“Perfectly. Eight Prussians—non-commissioned officers and soldiers—will be in the courtyard of the charming little inn that Lieutenant Henry described so well. As soon as your honor crosses the threshold they will fall upon you and bear you off to a carriage which will be in waiting.”
“Finish dressing my hair, Karl,” said Trenck, recovering his wonted impassibility.
“Oh, for that matter,” continued the valet, “they will have neither muskets nor pistols. They will be armed with swords only. That will leave them free to fall bodily upon your honor and to prevent you using your weapon.”
“Is that all, Karl?”
“No. There will be two soldiers detailed especially for my benefit, so that I can’t get away to give the alarm.”