"Yes," replied the doctor, "when he can eat. But never mind, a doctor must do all he can. Can you help me?" he asked Benedict. "Yes," he answered, "I have some idea of surgery." "You will leave the room, won't you?" the surgeon asked Helen. "Not for the world!" she cried, "no, no, I will stay to the end." The operation on the arm was finished with a cleverness which astonished Benedict. "Now," said the doctor, "ice water must be slowly dropped on that arm!" Some ice was procured and in five minutes was upon the arm. "Now," said the doctor, "we shall see." "What shall we see?" asked Helen anxiously. "We shall see the effect of the ice water." All three were standing by the bed, and it would be difficult to say which was the most interested in its success: the doctor, from professional pride; Helen, from her great love of the wounded man; or Benedict, from his friendship with Karl and Helen. At the first drops of ice water which fell on the arm, Karl shuddered visibly. Then his eyelids trembled, his eyes opened, and he looked round him with surprise until they became fixed on Helen. A faint smile appeared on his lips and the corners of his eyes. He tried to speak and breathed the name of Helen. "He must not speak," said the doctor, "until to-morrow at least." "Enough, my beloved," said Helen. "To-morrow you can tell me you love me." CHAPTER XXVII THE PRUSSIANS AT FRANKFORT In Frankfort all was sorrow and dismay at the news of the defeat. The inhabitants were deeply apprehensive of their treatment by the Prussians since seeing what had occurred in Hanover. On the evening of the battle, as we have said, the news of the disaster had reached Frankfort, and from the next day, the 15th, the conviction that its occupation would be immediate had cast an aspect of mourning over the town. Not a single person was to be seen on the fashionable promenade. The Prussians, so it was said, would make their entry on the 16th after midday. Night came, and with it a strange solitude in the streets, where, if one met a wayfarer it was evident from his hurry that he was on urgent business, carrying perhaps jewels or valuables for deposit at one of the foreign legations. At an early hour the houses had been shut up. Behind the bolted doors and windows one guessed that the inmates were silently digging holes for the concealment of their treasures. Morning came and everywhere might be seen affixed placards of the Senate, reading as follows: