The Baron paused, was evidently moved.
"Gentlemen," he said, "it is past eleven o'clock; what can be done?"
Lancken goes to von Saubersweig.
It was only von Saubersweig who could act, he had said, and they urged the Baron to go to see von Saubersweig. Finally he consented. While he was gone Villalobar, Gibson and de Leval repeated to Harrach and von Falkenhausen all the arguments that might move them. Von Falkenhausen was young, he had been to Cambridge in England, and he was touched, though of course he was powerless. And de Leval says that when he gave signs of showing pity, Harrach cast a glance at him, so that he said nothing more, and then Harrach said:
"The life of one German soldier seems to us much more important than that of all these old English nurses."
Lancken's return.
At last Lancken returned and, standing there, announced:
"I am exceedingly sorry, but the Governor tells me that only after due reflection was the execution decided upon, and that he will not change his decision. Under his prerogative he even refuses to receive the plea for mercy. Therefore, no one, not even the Emperor, can do anything for you."
The plea for mercy handed back.
With this he handed my letter and the requête en grace back to Gibson. There was a moment of silence in the yellow salon. Then Villalobar sprang up and seizing Lancken by the shoulder said to him in an energetic tone: