The Countess Cosel Part 36

"Bad news," answered Zaklika; "it couldn't be worse. They hunted us from the Palace, from the house in Dresden, and now they wish to drive us from Pillnitz--or perhaps something worse. We must help that unfortunate woman--persecuted as she is by these cowardly villains."

"Yes," said Lehman; "but we must be careful, and not hurt ourselves in the attempt."

"Cosel must escape," added Zaklika.

"To where?" asked the Jew. "She would be safe only beyond the seas."

"I hope the King will not ask his neighbours for our extradition."

Lehman moved his head.

"The Countess," went on the faithful servant, "must take what she can with her, for anything she leaves, the rapacious people will seize, as they did that which she left in the Palace."

The banker nodded.

"But it would not be safe to carry the money with us in our flight, for we might be caught and deprived of everything. You must help the Countess to save the rest of her fortune."

"Believe me," said the banker, "I am willing to help the Countess. I knew her well; she was the only pearl amid all that mud; but you must understand that it would not be right for me to endanger myself and my family for her sake."

"G.o.d alone will know of your good deed, and you know that neither I nor the Countess would betray you."

"Well, I consent," said the Jew; "but you must be careful that n.o.body sees you going out, for I, too, am watched by spies."

"I will be careful," said Zaklika.

"Everything you give me I will send you whenever it best suits you,"

added the Israelite.

Lehman took from a sideboard a bottle of wine and two gla.s.ses.

"No, thank you," said Zaklika. "I must hasten, for I want to learn some news to take to my mistress."

"It is always the same old story," said Lehman, gloomily; "those who drink with the King they are in favour; they enjoy themselves from morning till evening, and they send to Konigstein those who are in the way of their amus.e.m.e.nt. You must not ask for pity or heart, for the least sensitive people are those who are lascivious. The King uses all of them, bestows favours upon them when he needs them, and he despises them."

"What about the Countess Denhoff?"

"She gathers money, that's all; and it seems the King already thinks of marrying her to somebody."

Lehman shrugged his shoulders.

"You wish to learn something," continued he. "Here the people are changed, but not the things."

They talked a little while longer; then Lehman led Zaklika to the gate at the rear of the garden, and gave him a key for it. Zaklika, wrapped in his mantle, went on further. He did not think it would be dangerous to mix with the crowd, to approach Zwinger, and see what was going on there.

He was already in the street leading to the castle thronged with _n.o.bles venitiens_, when somebody slapped him on the shoulder.

He turned, surprised--the fool Frohlich smiled at him.

"How did you recognize me?" asked Zaklika.

"Besides the King, n.o.body here has such broad shoulders as you have,"

whispered Frohlich. "What are you doing here? I heard that you were with Cosel."

"I left her," answered Zaklika, "There was nothing to do after her downfall."

"You are right," said the fool; "one must always take care of one's neck. Then you returned to the King's service--or perhaps you are with Denhoff?"

"Not yet," answered Zaklika. "But tell me, what do you think of her?"

"She is like those little black animals that jump and bite, but which it is difficult to catch," said the fool, laughing.

They were still talking when a pa.s.sing Spaniard, with a mask on his face, stopped, and began to look attentively at them. Zaklika wanted to go, when the masked man approached him, raised his hat, and seized him by the hand.

Frohlich disappeared immediately.

The unknown asked Zaklika imperatively,--

"What are you doing here?"

"I am looking for a position," answered he.

"Do you no longer like the service in which you were formerly?"

"They do not need my services there now."

"What kind of position are you seeking?"

"I am a n.o.bleman," answered Zaklika.

The Spaniard muttered something, then he said,--

"Where is Cosel?"

"Probably in Pillnitz--I am not sure."

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"Don't ask; you are not afraid, I hope."

Zaklika went, and he soon noticed that the stranger led him to Flemming, who was at home, drinking with some friends. Masked men went to and fro; those who preferred the wine remained. Flemming expected the King. There was a great noise in the house.

The Spaniard entered, and whispered something to Flemming, who then came to Zaklika, and conducted him to a separate room. The Spaniard followed them.

"When did you leave Cosel?" asked he.

"A few days ago."