KOSINSKY. There I lay a whole month, and knew not what was taking place. I was full of anxiety for my Amelia, who I was sure would suffer the pangs of death every moment in apprehension of my fate. At last the prime minister makes his appearance,--congratulates me in honey-sweet words on the establishment of my innocence,--reads to me a warrant of discharge,--and returns me my sword. I flew in triumph to my castle, to the arms of my Amelia, but she had disappeared! She had been carried off, it was said, at midnight, no one knew whither, and no eye had beheld her since. A suspicion instantly flashed across my mind. I rushed to the capital--I made inquiries at court--all eyes were upon me,--no one would give me information. At last I discovered her through a grated window of the palace--she threw me a small billet. SCHWEITZER. Did I not say so? KOSINSKY. Death and destruction! The contents were these! They had given her the choice between seeing me put to death, and becoming the mistress of the prince. In the struggle between honor and love she chose the latter, and (with a bitter smile) I was saved. SCHWEITZER. And what did you do then? KOSINSKY. Then I stood like one transfixed with a thunderbolt! Blood was my first thought, blood my last! Foaming at the mouth, I ran to my quarters, armed myself with a two-edged sword, and, with all haste, rushed to the minister's house, for he--he alone--had been the fiendish pander. They must have observed me in the street, for, as I went up, I found all the doors fastened. I searched, I enquired. He was gone, they said, to the prince. I went straight thither, but nobody there would know anything about him. I return, force the doors, find the base wretch, and was on the point when five or six servants suddenly rushed on me from behind, and wrenched the weapon from my hands. SCHWEITZER (stamping the ground). And so the fellow got off clear, and you lost your labor? KOSINSKY. I was arrested, accused, criminally prosecuted, degraded, and--mark this--transported beyond the frontier, as a special favor. My estates were confiscated to the minister, and Amelia remained in the clutches of the tiger, where she weeps and mourns away her life, while my vengeance must keep a fast, and crouch submissively to the yoke of despotism. SCHWEITZER (rising and whetting his sword). That is grist to our mill, captain! There is something here for the incendiaries! CHARLES (who has been walking up and down in violent agitation, with a sudden start to the ROBBERS). I must see her. Up! collect your baggage--you'll stay with us, Kosinsky! Quick, pack up! THE ROBBERS. Where to? What? CHARLES. Where to? Who asks that question? (Fiercely to SCHWEITZER) Traitor, wouldst thou keep me back? But by the hope for heaven! SCHWEITZER. I, a traitor? Lead on to hell and I will follow you!