Part 43 (1/2)
Trenck took leave, a little surprised at the sudden dismissal. The colonel did not accompany him, as usual. He remained standing in the middle of the tent until he was alone; then stooping down, he drew from under his foot the daintily folded letter that he had concealed while Trenck was present.
Count Jaschinsky had seen what had escaped Trenck. He saw that Trenck, in taking out the letter from his cousin, had let fall another paper, and while Trenck was, reading, he had managed to conceal it with his foot. Now he hastily seized this paper, and opened it. A most wicked expression of joy overspread his countenance whilst he read, and then he said, triumphantly: ”Now he is lost. It is not necessary to tell the king that Trenck has received a letter from a lady; I will take him the letter itself, and that will condemn Trenck more surely than any conspiracy with his cousin. Away to the king!”
But, as he had already withdrawn the curtain of his tent, he remained motionless, and appeared deep in thought. Then he allowed the curtain to fall, and returned within.
”I think I was on the point of committing a great folly. This letter would of course accomplish the destruction of my hated creditor, but I doubt exceedingly if I would escape unharmed if I handed this ominous writing to the king. He would never forgive me for having discovered this affair, which he, of course, wishes to conceal from the whole world. The knowledge of such a secret would be most dangerous, and I prefer to have nothing to do with it. How can I manage to let this letter reach the king, without allowing him to know that I am acquainted with the contents? Ah, I have it!” he cried, after a long pause, ”the means are sure, and not at all dangerous for me.”
With rapid steps he left his tent, and proceeded to that of the king from whom he prayed an audience.
”Ah! I wager that you come to complain of some one,” said the king, as Jaschinsky entered. ”There is a wicked light in your eye. Am I not right? one of your officers has committed some folly.”
”I leave the decision entirely to your majesty,” said Jaschinsky, humbly. ”Your majesty commanded me to watch carefully over my officers, especially the Lieutenant von Trenck.”
”Your complaint is again of Trenck, then?” asked the king, frowningly. ”I will tell you before we begin, unless it is something important I do not wish to hear it; gossip is disagreeable to me. I am well pleased with Trenck; he is a brave and zealous officer, and I think he does not neglect his duties. Consider, therefore, colonel, unless it is a grave fault of which you have to complain, I advise you to remain silent.”
”I hope your majesty will allow me to proceed.”
”Speak,” said the king, as he turned his back on the colonel, and appeared to occupy himself with the books on his table.
”Lieutenant von Trenck received a letter by the post to-day which points, in my opinion, to an utterly unlawful proceeding.”
The king turned hastily, and looked so angrily at the colonel that he involuntarily withdrew a step. ”It is fortunate that I did not hand him that letter,” thought Jaschinsky; ”in his anger the king would have destroyed me.”
”From whom is this letter?” demanded the king.
”Sire, it is from Baron von Trenck, the colonel of the pandours.”
The king appeared relieved, as he replied, with a smile: ”This pandour is a cousin of our lieutenant.”
”But he is in the enemy's camp; and I do not think it proper for a Prussian officer to request one in the Austrian service to send him a present of horses, or for the Austrian to invite the Prussian to join him.”
”Is this in the letter?” asked the king in a threatening tone; and when Jaschinsky answered in the affirmative, he said: ”Give me the letter; I must convince myself with my own eyes that this is so.”
”I have not the letter, but if your majesty desire, I will demand it from Lieutenant von Trenck.”
”And if he has burnt the letter?”
”Then I am willing to take an oath that what I have related was in the letter. I read it myself, for the lieutenant showed it to me.”
”Bring me the letter.”
Jaschinsky went, and the king remained alone and thoughtful in his tent. ”If he were a traitor, he would surely not have shown the letter to Jaschinsky,” said the king, softly; ”no, his brow is as clear, his glance as open as formerly. Trenck is no traitor--no traitor to his country--I fear only a traitor to his own happiness.
Well, perhaps he has come to his reason, I have warned him repeatedly, and perhaps he has at length understood me.--Where is the letter?” he asked, as Colonel Jaschinsky reentered.
”Sire, here it is. At least I think that is it. I did not take time to glance at the paper, in my haste to return to your majesty.”
”Was he willing to give the letter?”
”He said nothing, but drew it instantly from his bosom, and I brought it to your majesty without glancing at it.”
The king looked searchingly into the countenance of the colonel.