'What is now to be done to advance the main object?' asked Conradi of
the sullenly silent Arwed. 'I think we had better send a pressing
petition to the diet, although I should hope nothing from it. They will
leave every thing to the special commission,--and from the people, who
are congratulating each other and rejoicing that they have become
coadjutors in this business, we have nothing to expect.'
'Have they done that?' asked Arwed eagerly.
'Yes,' answered Conradi. 'Some among them have presumed openly to say,
if Goertz does not lose his head this time, we shall lose ours.'
'Miserable spirit of party!' cried Arwed; 'under whose shield the judge
may venture unpunished to throw his own hatred into the scale against
the accused.'
For a while they walked on silently together. All at once Arwed
stopped. 'God has given me a thought!' said he. 'The young duke arrived
here yesterday. Goertz has never ceased to be his servant. He was only
_loaned_ to Sweden, and the duke must interfere in his favor. The
officer of a foreign sovereign cannot be judged here.'
'It is undeniable,' said Conradi thoughtfully, 'that the duke has the
right and it is also his duty to interfere. The question is, however,
has he the will? This prince still flatters himself that he has yet a
chance of ascending the Swedish throne, and will not, therefore, be
willing to lessen his influence with the diet.'
'The attempt must be made,' cried Arwed resolutely. 'I will hasten to
him. Have the goodness to send information to the baroness Goertz upon
the Blasiusholm, that she will, as I hope, be permitted to visit her
father; and, God willing, we will meet in the morning at the Suedermalm
council house.'
They shook hands and separated, Arwed flew to the palace of the duke of
Holstein Gottorp. He was immediately announced and admitted. With an
irresolute face, wherein hope and fear alternately prevailed, came the
young prince to meet him, asking in an effeminate tone, 'what is your
pleasure?'
'One of the officers,' answered Arwed, 'who, in the camp before
Frederickshall, was anxious to have your grace proclaimed king of
Sweden, ventures to bring the name of the unhappy Goertz to your
remembrance.'
'I do not wish to hear any thing of this man,' said the duke, looking
timidly about him. 'My interference in the case might be misconstrued
by the Swedes, and it behoves me at this moment to avoid every thing
which might occasion a misunderstanding.'
'Goertz is without aid and in prison,' proceeded Arwed, with manly
earnestness, 'because they fear his ability, his activity and his
devotion to your grace. Through this imprisonment of your servant, your
sovereign rights are infringed. His life is in danger. To save it, it
is only necessary for your grace to claim him of the Swedish government
with princely energy. However great the animosity against him, party
rage cannot withstand your demand, without violating the law of
nations. They must deliver the unhappy man to you, and you will have
the satisfaction of gratifying the feelings of your heart by this
exercise of your rightful power, and of preserving for yourself an able
supporter.'
'You would have spared yourself this long exposition, captain,' said
the duke, with an unmeaning smile, 'had you known that Goertz has
ceased to be my servant.'
An indignant 'ah!' escaped from the youth, and the duke proceeded.--'A
man whom the whole Swedish nation as with one voice accuses, could not
remain in my service. He has been dismissed from the offices which he
held under me. And, being wholly surrendered, the laws of the country
which he has offended must decide his fate.'
'I understand!' exclaimed Arwed with great excitement.--'Your grace
hopes to win the love of Sweden by the desertion of your truest friend,
and by publicly offering him up to gratify her vengeance. But if I may
venture to judge of my native country, this sad expedient will entirely
fail. It will only cause you to be hated. And your ingratitude will
again with ingratitude be rewarded.'
Overwhelmed with despair at the wreck of this last hope, he rushed into
the street.