"We have done no harm to the Poles; we have afforded them a refuge against you whenever they required it. The Poles are not our enemies; the Poles will not pillage Frankfort." "That is just what we are going to see," said the general, stamping his foot with one of those oaths of which the Prussians enjoy the monopoly. "I don't care a damn if I am called a second Duke of Alva, and I warn you that if at six o'clock to-day the money is not paid, you will be arrested to-morrow and thrown into a dungeon, which you will leave only when the last thaler of the 7,747,008 florins is paid." "We know your first minister's maxim, 'Might is right.' Dispose of us as you wish," answered Fellner. "At five o'clock, the men whom I shall order to receive the seven million florins will be at the door of the bank, in readiness to transport the money to my headquarters." Then he added so that the burgomaster could hear the orders: "Arrest and bring before me, the Journalist Fischer, editor in chief of the 'Post Zeitung.' I shall commence with him in dealing with the newspaper men and the newspapers." * * * * * Two hours later Fischer was arrested in his house where, after a communication from Fellner he had remained in expectation of the event, and brought to headquarters. General Falkenstein had contrived to keep himself at boiling point, so the moment he saw Fischer: "Let him enter," he said, in the third person, which in Germany is the sign of the most profound contempt. And, as Fischer did not enter as quickly as the general wished, he cried: "A thousand thunders! if he hangs back, shove him in." "Here I am," said Fischer; "forewarned of your intention I could have left Frankfort, but it is my custom to face danger." "Oh! so you knew that you would be in danger, Mr. Pocket-pen, when you reached me." "An unarmed man is always in danger from a powerful armed enemy." "You consider me your enemy, then?" "The indemnity you have exacted from Frankfort and your threats against Herr Fellner are not those of a friend, you will allow." "Oh! you have no need to await my threats and orders to declare yourself my enemy. We know your paper, and it is because we know it that you are going to sign the following declaration. Sit down there, take a pen, and write." "I take a pen; but, before using it, what are you about to dictate?" "You want to know? Well, here it is. I, Dr. Fischer Goullet, Councillor of State, editor in chief.... But you are not writing." "Finish your sentence, sir, and if I decide to write I will do so." "Editor-in-chief of the 'Post Zeitung,' acknowledge myself guilty of systematic and calumnious hostility towards the Prussian Government." Fischer threw down the pen. "I will never write that, sir," said he; "it is false." "Tempests and thunders!" cried the general, making a step towards him. "You give me the lie." Fischer took a newspaper from his pocket.