in three weeks? But, such was my adverse fate, circumstances all
tended to injure and persecute me, till at length I gave reason to
suppose I was a traitor, notwithstanding the purity of my
intentions.

Once more, then, was I in a dungeon, and no sooner was I there than
I formed new projects of flight. I first gained the intimacy of my
guards. I had money, and this, with the compassion I had inspired,
might effect anything among discontented Prussian soldiers. Soon
had I gained thirty-two men, who were ready to execute, on the first
signal, whatever I should command. Two or three excepted, they were
unacquainted with each other; they consequently could not all be
betrayed at a time: had chosen the sub-officer Nicholai to head
them.

The garrison consisted only of one hundred and twenty men from the
garrison regiment, the rest being dispersed in the county of Glatz,
and four officers, their commanders, three of whom were in my
interest. Everything was prepared; swords and pistols were
concealed in the oven which was in my prison. We intended to give
liberty to all the prisoners, and retire with drums beating into
Bohemia.

Unfortunately, an Austrian deserter, to whom Nicholai had imparted
our design, went and discovered our conspiracy. The governor
instantly sent his adjutant to the citadel, with orders that the
officer on guard should arrest Nicholai, and, with his men, take
possession of the casement.

Nicholai was on the guard, and the lieutenant was my friend, and