The valet-de-chambre now again came out. 'My exertions have not been successful,' said he despondingly. 'I have placed the whole subject before the prince, but have not obtained a favorable hearing. He merely allows me to say to your excellency that he cannot speak with any person now.' Great dissatisfaction was expressed by the whole company, and Duecker angrily stamped his foot. 'It is a pity we have taken so much pains and incurred so much danger,' said he. 'Nothing indeed now remains for us but obedience, as I have no desire to set my gray head upon a cast for an ungrateful man. Bear to my regiments the order for their departure,' said he to his adjutant, and, cursing and swearing by the way, he returned to his quarters. Oppressed with concern for the father of his beloved, Arwed followed the general. 'Grant me one request,' said he urgently as they entered the quarters of the latter. 'There will now be very little to do here in the way of fighting, and my presence is no longer necessary. Procure me a furlough to ride back to Stockholm.' 'To Stockholm?' asked Duecker, startled. 'Now, directly? For what purpose, captain? Do you wish to become one of the wheels in the machinery of politics which are now destructively working in opposition to each other? You appear to me to be much too honest-hearted for that.' 'From Charles's best friend I will conceal nothing,' said Arwed resolutely. 'According to my calculation Goertz must now either be in Stockholm or will soon arrive there. I would warn that true servant of our late king, that he may be able to escape from the hands of his revengeful enemies.' 'For which thought may heaven reward you!' cried Duecker, 'but I fear the issue. In the first place, the prince of Hesse is your chief, and it will be difficult to procure from him the desired permission, and secondly, you will hardly be able to outstrip the speed of the officers already under way for the arrest of Goertz.' 'Obtain me but the permission, general,' persisted Arwed: 'the rest shall be my care. I ride a Norman of unequalled speed and bottom.' 'I will make the effort,' said Duecker; 'but hardly hope for success. Since Charles's death I am only the _late_ Duecker, and my influence has become a shadow.' He had proceeded as far as the door when he was met by colonel Brenner. 'I come to take leave of you, my old friend,' said the latter, heartily embracing the general. 'I go this moment with post-horses to the capital.' 'Every body seems to wish to go to Stockholm tonight,' said Duecker. 'What hast thou to ask there?'