again opened without ceremony by a young man, wearing a gold-laced
dress.

"Your majesty," said he, hastily, in an undertone, "your majesty,
she has just gone to the Palace Park, just the same hour she went
yesterday."

"Is she alone?" asked the king, rising.

"No, she is not alone; at a little distance the nurse follows with
the princely infant!"

The king cast an angry glance at the saucy, laughing face of the
young man, who at once assumed a devoted, earnest mien. "Has your
majesty any further commands?" asked he, timidly.

"I command you to hold your tongue until you are spoken to!" replied
the king, harshly. "You understand spying and hanging about, as you
have good ears, a quick eye, and a keen scent. I therefore make use
of you, because I need a spy; but, understand that a fellow who
allows himself to be used as a spy, is, indeed, a useful subject,
but generally a worthless one, and to whom it is becoming to be
modest and humble. I am now going to Berlin; you will accompany me.
Take off your finery, so that every one may not recognize at once
the peacock by his feathers. Go to the taverns and listen to what
they say about the war; whether the people are much dissatisfied
about it. Keep your great ears wide open, and bring me this evening
all the latest news. Go, now, tell my coachman to be ready; in half
an hour I shall set off."