Frederic was lying on the floor dead, his forehead shattered by a bullet. He had left this note on the table: "Struck in the face by General Sturm, who has refused to give me satisfaction, I could not live dishonoured. My last wish is that my wife in her widow's dress should leave this evening for Berlin, and there beg from Her Majesty the Queen the remission of the subsidy of twenty-five million florins, which the town as I testify is unable to pay. My friend, Benedict Turpin, will, I know, avenge me. "FREDERIC, BARON VON BÜLOW." Benedict had just time to read this when he turned at a cry behind him. It was from the poor widow. Benedict, leaving Emma in her mother's care, went to his room and wrote four notes, each in these terms: "Baron Frederic von Bülow has just shot himself in consequence of the insult offered him by General Sturm, who has refused to give him satisfaction. His body lies in the house of the Chandroz family, and his friends are invited to pay their last respects there. "His executor, "BENEDICT TURPIN. "P.S.--You are asked to make the news of his death known as widely and publicly as possible." Having signed them he sent them by Hans to four of Frederic's most intimate friends. Then he went down to General Sturm's rooms and sent in his name. The name, "Benedict Turpin," was entirely unknown to General Sturm; he had with him the officers who had witnessed the quarrel with Frederic, and at once said: "Ask him to come in." Although he knew nothing of what had passed the general's face plainly showed traces of furious passion. Benedict came in. "Sir," he said, "probably you are ignorant of the sequel to the occurrence between you and my friend, Frederic von Bülow--the incident which led to your insult. I have to inform you that my friend, since you refused to give him satisfaction, has blown out his brains." The general started in spite of himself. The officers, dismayed, looked at each other. "My friend's last wishes are recorded on this piece of paper. I will read them." The general, seized with nervous tremor, sat down. Benedict read, speaking courteously and calmly. "Struck in the face by General Sturm, who has refused to give me satisfaction, I could not live dishonoured." "You hear me, sir?" Benedict asked. The general made a sign of assent. "My last wish is that my wife in her widow's dress should leave this evening for Berlin, and there beg from Her Majesty the Queen the remission of the subsidy of twenty-five million florins which the town, as I testify, is unable to pay." "I have the honour to inform you, sir," added Benedict, "that I am going to conduct Madame von Bülow to Berlin." General Sturm got up. "One moment," said Benedict. "There is a final line to read, and you will see it is of some importance."