most probable beating, and Baron von Pollnitz understands that
better than I do."

"Gentlemen," said the servant, "his majesty will become impatient,
and then woe unto all of us."

"But, my God," said Count von Goltz, "who will dare go forward?"

"I will," said Councillor Eckert; "I owe every thing to his majesty,
therefore I will place my back or even my life at his service."

He approached the door with a firm step, and opened it quickly.

The others saw the flashing eyes of the king, as he raised his stick
still higher. They saw Eckert enter, with his head bowed down and
then the door was closed, and nothing more was heard.

"Against which of us is the anger of the king directed?" faltered
Pollnitz.

"Against one and all," said the servant, with a most malicious
expression.

"Who will go now?" the gentlemen asked each other, and, after a long
struggle, the grand chamberlain, Von Pollnitz, concluded to take the
bitter step. Once more, as the door opened, the king was seen
waiting, crutch in hand, but the door closed, and nothing more was
seen. Four times was this scene repeated; four times was the king
seen in this threatening attitude. But as General Schwerin, the last
of the six gentlemen, entered the room, the king no longer stood