CHAPTERIV。
AfewdaysafterthebattleofSorau，theusualcamppostmanbroughtmealetterfrommycousinTrenck，thecolonelofpandours，antedatedatEffekfourmonths，ofwhichthefollowingisacopy：—
"Yourletter，ofthe12thofFebruary，fromBerlin，informsmeyoudesiretohavesomeHungarianhorses。Ontheseyouwouldcomeandattackmeandmypandours。Isawwithpleasure，duringthelastcampaign，thatthePrussianTrenckwasagoodsoldier；andthatI
mightgiveyousomeproofsofmyattachment，Ithenreturnedthehorseswhichmymenhadtaken。If，however，youwishtohaveHungarianhorses，youmusttakemineinlikemannerfrommeinthefieldofbattle：or，shouldyousothinkfit，comeandjoinonewhowillreceiveyouwithopenarms，likehisfriendandson，andwhowillprocureyoueveryadvantageyoucandesire，"&c。
AtfirstIwasterrifiedatreadingthisletter，yetcouldnothelpsmiling。CornetWagenitz，nowgeneralinchiefoftheHesseCasselforces，andLieutenantGrotthausen，bothnowalive，andthenpresent，weremycampcomrades。Igavethemthelettertoread，andtheylaughedatitscontents。Itwasdeterminedtoshowittooursuperiorofficer，Jaschinsky，onapromiseofsecrecy，anditwasaccordinglyshownhimwithinanhourafteritwasreceived。
Thereaderwillbesokindastorecollectthat，asIhavebeforesaid，itwasthisColonelJaschinskywhoonthe12thofFebruary，thesameyear，atBerlin，prevailedonmetowritetotheAustrianTrenck，mycousin；thathereceivedtheletteropen，andundertooktosenditaccordingtoitsaddress；alsothat，inthisletter，IinjesthadaskedhimtosendmesomeHungarianhorses，and，shouldtheycome，hadpromisedonetoJaschinsky。Hereadtheletterwithanairofsomesurprise；welaughed，and，itbeingwhisperedthroughthearmythat，inconsequenceofourlatevictory，detachedcorpswouldbesentintoHungary，Jaschinskysaid，"WeshallnowgoandtakeHungarianhorsesforourselves。"Heretheconversationended，andI，littlesuspectingfutureconsequences，returnedtomytent。
Imusthereremarkthefollowingobservations：—
1st。Ihadnotobservedthedateoftheletterbroughtbythepostman，which，asIhavesaid，wasantedatedfourmonths：this，however，thecoloneldidnotfailtoremark。
2ndly。Theprobabilityisthatthiswasanet，spreadformebythisfalseandwickedman。Thereturnofmyhorses，duringtheprecedingcampaign，hadbeenthesubjectofmuchconversation。ItispossiblehehadtheKing’sorderstowatchme；butmoreprobablyheonlyprevailedonmetowritethathemightentrapmebyafictitiousanswer。Certainitis，mycousinTrenck，atVienna，affirmedtohisdeathheneverreceivedanyletterfromme，consequentlynevercouldsendanyanswer。Imustthereforeconcludethisletterwasforged。
JaschinskywasatthistimeoneoftheKing’sfavourites；hisspyoverthearmy；atale—bearer；aninventorofwickedliesandcalumnies。SomeyearsaftertheeventofwhichIamnowspeaking，theKingwasobligedtobreakandbanishhimthecountry。
HewasthenalsotheparamourofthebeauteousMadameBrossart，wifeoftheSaxonresidentatBerlin，andtherecanbelittledoubtbutthatthisfalseletterwas，byhermeans，conveyedtosomeSaxonorAustrianpost—office，andthence，accordingtoitsaddress，senttome。HehaddailyopportunitiesofinfusingsuspicionsintotheKing’smindconcerningme；and，unknowntome，ofpursuinghisdiabolicalplan。
Imustlikewiseaddhewasfourhundredducatsindebtedtome。AtthattimeIhadalwaysaplentifulsupplyofmoney。ThisbootybecamehisownwhenI，unexamined，wasarrested，andthrownintoprison。Inlikemannerheseizedonthegreatestpartofmycampequipage。
Further，wehadquarrelledduringourfirstcampaign，becausehehadbeatenoneofmyservants；weevenwereproceedingtofightwithpistols，hadnotColonelWinterfieldinterfered，andamicablyendedourquarrel。TheLithuanianis，bynature，obstinateandrevengeful；and，fromthatday，Ihavereasontobelievehesoughtmydestruction。
GodonlyknowswhatwerethemeanshetooktoexcitetheKing’ssuspicious；foritisincrediblethatFrederic，consideringhisWELL—KNOWNPROFESSIONSofpublicjustice，shouldtreatmeinthemannerhedid，withoutahearing，withoutexamination，andwithoutacourt—martial。Thistomehaseverremainedamystery，whichtheKingalonewasabletoexplain；heafterwardswasconvincedIwasinnocent：butmysufferingshadbeentoocruel，andthemiserieshehadinflictedtoohorrible，formeevertohopeforcompensation。
Inanaffairofthisnature，whichwillsoonheknowntoallEurope，asitlonghasbeeninPrussia，theweakestisalwaysguilty。I
havebeenmadeaterribleexampletothisourage，howtruethatmaximisindespoticStates。
Amanofmyrank，havingonceunjustlysuffered，andnothavingthepowerofmakinghissufferingsknown，musteverbehighlyrewardedorstillmoreunjustlypunished。MynameandinjurieswilleverstaintheannalsofFredericTHEGREAT；eventhosewhoreadthisbookwillperhapssupposethatI，frompoliticalmotivesofhopeorfear，havesometimesconcealedtruthbyendeavouringtopalliatehisconduct。
Itmusteverremainincomprehensiblethatamonarchsoclear—
sighted，himselfthedailywitnessofmydemeanour，onewellacquaintedwithmankind，andconsciousIwantedneithermoney，honour，norhopeoffuturepreferment；Isayitisincomprehensiblethatheshouldreallysupposemeguilty。ItakeGodtowitness，andallthosewhoknewmeinprosperityandmisfortune，Ineverharbouredathoughtofbetrayingmycountry。Howwasitpossibletosuspectme？Iwasneithermadmannoridiot。InmyeighteenthyearIwasacornetofthebodyguard，adjutanttotheKing，andpossessedhisfavourandconfidenceinthehighestdegree。Hispresentstome，inoneyear，amountedtofifteenhundreddollars。I
keptsevenhorses，fourmeninlivery；Iwasvalued，distinguished，andbelovedbythemistressofmysoul。Myrelationsheldhighoffices，bothcivilandmilitary；IwasevenfanaticallydevotedtomyKingandcountry，andhadnothingtowish。
ThatIshouldbecomethuswretched，inconsequenceofthisunfortunateletter，isequallywonderful：itcamebythepublicpost。Hadtherebeenanycriminalcorrespondence，mykinsmancertainlywouldnothavechosenthismodeofconveyance；since，itiswellknown，allsuchlettersareopened；norcouldIactmoreopenly。MycolonelreadtheletterIwrote；andalsothatwhichI
received，immediatelyafteritwasbrought。
ThedayafterthereceiptofthisletterIwas，asIhavebeforesaid，unheard，unaccused，unjudged，conductedlikeacriminalfromthearmy，byfiftyhussars，andimprisonedinthefortressofGlatz。
Iwasallowedtotakethreehorses，andmyservants，butmywholeequipagewasleftbehind，whichIneversawmore，andwhichbecamethebootyofJaschinsky。MycommissionwasgiventoCornetSchatzel，andIcashieredwithoutknowingwhy。Therewerenolegalinquiriesmade：allwasdonebytheKing’scommand。
Unhappypeople！wherepowerissuperiortolaw，andwheretheinnocentandthevirtuousmeetpunishmentinsteadofreward。
Unhappyland！wheretheomnipotent"SUCHISOURWILL"supersedesalllegalsentence，androbsthesubjectofproperty，life，andhonour。
IoncemorerepeatIwasbroughttothecitadelofGlatz；Iwasnot，however，thrownintoadungeon，butimprisonedinachamberoftheofficeroftheguard；wasallowedmyservantstowaitonme，andpermittedtowalkontheramparts。
Ididnotwantmoney，andtherewasonlyadetachmentfromthegarrisonregimentinthecitadelofGlatz，theofficersofwhichwereallpoor。Isoonhadbothfriendsandfreedom，andtherichprisonereverydaykeptopentable。
Heonlywhohadknownmeinthistheardourofmyyouth，whohadwitnessedhowhighIaspired，andthefortunethatattendedmeatBerlin，canimaginewhatmyfeelingswereatfindingmyselfthussuddenlycastfrommyhighhopes。
IwrotesubmissivelytotheKing，requestingtobetriedbyacourt—
martial，andnotdesiringanyfavourshouldIbefoundguilty。Thishaughtytone，inayouth，wasdispleasing，andIreceivednoanswer，whichthrewmeintodespair，andinducedmetouseeverypossiblemeanstoobtainmyliberty。
Myfirstcarewastoestablish，bytheinterventionofanofficer，acertaincorrespondencewiththeobjectofmyheart。Sheanswered，shewasfarfromsupposingIhadeverentertainedtheleastthoughttreacheroustomycountry；thatsheknew，toowell，Iwasperfectlyincapable，ofdissimulation。SheblamedtheprecipitateangerandunjustsuspicionsoftheKing；promisedmespeedyaid，andsentmeathousandducats。
HadI，atthiscriticalmoment，possessedaprudentandintelligentfriend，whocouldhavecalmedmyimpatience，nothingperhapsmighthavebeenmoreeasythantohaveobtainedpardonfromtheKing，byprovingmyinnocence；or，itmaybe，thantohaveinducedhimtopunishmyenemies。
ButtheofficerswhothenwereatGlatzfedtheflameofdiscontent。
TheysupposedthemoneyIsofreelydistributedcameallfromHungary，furnishedbythepandourchest；andadvisedmenottosuffermyfreedomtodependuponthewilloftheKing，buttoenjoyitinhisdespite。
Itwasnotmoreeasytogivethisadvicethantopersuadeamantotakeit，who，tillthen，hadneverencounteredanythingbutgoodfortune，andwhoconsequentlysupportedthereversewithimpatience。
Iwasnotyet，however，determined；becauseIcouldnotyetresolvetoabandonmycountry，andespeciallyBerlin。
Fivemonthssoonpassedawayinprison：peacewasconcluded；theKingwasreturnedtohiscapital；mycommissionintheguardswasbestowedonanother，whenLieutenantPiaschky，oftheregimentofFouquet，andEnsignReitz，whooftenmountedguardoverme，proposedthattheyandIshouldescapetogether。Iyielded；ourplanwasfixed，andeverypreparatorysteptaken。
AtthattimetherewasanotherprisoneratGlatz，whosenamewasManget，bybirthaSwiss，andcaptainofcavalryintheNatzmerschenhussars；hehadbeenbroken，andcondemnedbyacourt—martialtotenyears’imprisonment，withanallowanceofonlyfourrix—dollarspermonth。
Havingdonethismankindness，Iwasresolvedtorescuehimfrombondage，atthesametimethatIobtainedfreedomformyself。I
communicatedmydesign，andmadetheproposal，whichwasacceptedbyhim，andmeasuresweretaken；yetwerewebetrayedbythisvileman，whothuspurchasedpardonandliberty。
Piaschky，whohadbeeninformedthatReitzwasarrested，savedhimselfbydeserting。IdeniedthefactinpresenceofManget，withwhomIwasconfronted，andbribedtheAuditorwithahundredducats。
BythismeansReitzonlysufferedayear’simprisonment，andthelossofhiscommission。Iwasafterwardscloselyconfinedinachamber，forhavingendeavouredtocorrupttheKing’sofficers，andwasguardedwithgreatercaution。
HereIwillinterruptmynarrative，foramoment，torelateanadventurewhichhappenedbetweenmeandthisCaptainManget，threeyearsafterhehadthusbetrayedme——thatistosay，in1749，atWarsaw。
Itheremethimbychance，anditisnotdifficulttoimaginewhatwasthesalutationhereceived。Icanedhim；hetookthisill，andchallengedmetofightwithpistols。CaptainHeucking，ofthePolishguards，wasmysecond。Webothfiredtogether；Ishothimthroughtheneckatthefirstshot，andhefelldeadonthefield。
Healone，ofallmyenemies，everdiedbymyownhand；andhewellmeritedhisend，forhiscowardlytreacherytowardsthetwobravefellowsofwhomIhavespoken；andstillmoresowithrespecttomyself，whohadbeenhisbenefactor。Iown，Ihaveneverreproachedmyselfforthisduel，bywhichIsentarascaloutoftheworld。
Ireturntomytale。MydestinyatGlatzwasnowbecomemoreuntowardandsevere。TheKing’ssuspicionswereincreased，aslikewisewashisanger，bythismylateattempttoescape。
Lefttomyself，Iconsideredmysituationintheworstpointofview，anddeterminedeitheronflightordeath。Thelengthandclosenessofmyconfinementbecameinsupportabletomyimpatienttemper。
Ihadalwayshadthegarrisononmyside，norwasitpossibletopreventmymakingfriendsamongthem。TheyknewIhadmoney，and，inapoorgarrisonregiment，theofficersofwhicharealldissatisfied，havingmostofthembeendraftedfromothercorps，andsentthitherasapunishment，therewasnothingthatmightnotbeundertaken。
Myschemewasasfollows：—Mywindowlookedtowardsthecity，andwasninetyfeetfromthegroundinthetowerofthecitadel，outofwhichIcouldnotget，withouthavingfoundaplaceofrefugeinthecity。
Thisanofficerundertooktoprocureme，andprevailedonanhonestsoap—boilertograntmeahidingplace。Ithennotchedmypen—
knife，andsawedthroughthreeironbars；butthismodewastootedious，itbeingnecessarytofileawayeightbarsfrommywindow，beforeIcouldpassthrough；anotherofficerthereforeprocuredmeafile，whichIwasobligedtousewithcaution，lestIshouldbeoverheardbythesentinels。
Havingendedthislabour，Icutmyleatherportmanteauintothongs，sewedthemendtoend，addedthesheetsofmybed，anddescendedsafelyfromthisastonishingheight。
Itrained，thenightwasdark，andallseemedfortunate，butIhadtowadethroughmoatsfullofmud，beforeIcouldenterthecity，acircumstanceIhadneveronceconsidered。Isankuptotheknees，andafterlongstruggling，andincredibleeffortstoextricatemyself，Iwasobligedtocallthesentinel，anddesirehimtogoandtellthegovernor，Trenckwasstuckfastinthemoat。
Mymisfortunewasthegreateronthisoccasion，becausethatGeneralFouquetwasthengovernorofGlatz。Hewasoneofthecruellestofmen。Hehadbeenwoundedbymyfatherinaduel；andtheAustrianTrenckhadtakenhisbaggagein1744，andhadalsolaidthecountryofGlatzundercontribution。Hewas，therefore，anenemytotheverynameofTrenck；nordidheloseanyopportunityofgivingproofsofhisenmity，andespeciallyonthepresentoccasion，whenheleftmestandinginthemiretillnoon，thesportofthesoldiers。Iwasthendrawnout，halfdead，onlyagaintobeimprisoned，andshutupthewholeday，withoutwatertowashme。NoonecanimaginehowIlooked，exhaustedanddirty，mylonghairhavingfallenintothemud，withwhich，bymystruggling，itwasloaded。
Iremainedinthisconditiontillthenextday，whentwofellow—
prisonersweresenttoassistandcleanme。
Myimprisonmentnowbecamemoreintolerable。Ihadstilleightylouis—d’orsinmypurse，whichhadnotbeentakenfrommeatmyremovalintoanotherdungeon，andtheseafterwardsdidmegoodservice。
Thepassionssoonallassailedmeatonce，andimpetuous，boiling，youthfulbloodoverpoweredreason；hopedisappeared；Ithoughtmyselfthemostunfortunateofmen，andmyKinganirreconcileablejudge，morewrathfulandmorefortifiedinsuspicionbymyownrashness。Mynightsweresleepless，mydaysmiserable；mysoulwastorturedbythedesireoffame；aconsciousnessofinnocencewasacontinuedstimulusincitingmetoendmymisfortunes。Youth，inexperiencedinwoeanddisastrousfate，beholdseveryevilmagnified，anddespondsoneverynewdisappointment，moreespeciallyafterhavingfailedinattemptingfreedom。Educationhadtaughtmetodespisedeath，andtheseopinionshadbeenconfirmedbymyfriendLaMettrie，authorofthefamouswork，"L’HommeMachine，"or"ManaMachine。"
IreadmuchduringmyconfinementatGlatz，wherebookswereallowedme；timewasthereforelesstedious；butwhentheloveoflibertyawoke，whenfameandaffectioncalledmetoBerlin，andmybaulkedhopespaintedthewretchednessofmysituation；whenIrememberedthatmylovedcountry，judgingbyappearances，couldnotbutpronouncemeatraitor；thenwasIhourlyimpelledtorushonthenakedbayonetsofmyguards，bywhom，tome，theroadoffreedomwasbarred。
Bigwithsuch—likethoughts，eightdayshadnotelapsedsincemylastfruitlessattempttoescape，whenaneventhappenedwhichwouldappearincredible，wereI，theprincipalactorinthescene，notalivetoattestitstruth，andmightnotallGlatzandthePrussiangarrisonbeproducedaseyeandearwitnesses。Thisincidentwillprovethatadventurous，andevenrash，daringwillrenderthemostimprobableundertakingspossible，andthatdesperateattemptsmayoftenmakeageneralmorefortunateandfamousthanthewisestandbestconcertedplans。
MajorDoo{2}cametovisitme，accompaniedbyanofficeroftheguard，andanadjutant。Afterexaminingeverycornerofmychamber，headdressedme，taxingmewithasecondcrimeinendeavouringtoobtainmyliberty；addingthismustcertainlyincreasetheangeroftheKing。
Mybloodboiledatthewordcrime；hetalkedofpatience；IaskedhimhowlongtheKinghadcondemnedmetoimprisonment；heanswered，atraitortohiscountry，whohascorrespondencewiththeenemy，cannotbecondemnedforacertaintime，butmustdependforgraceandpardonontheKing。
AtthatinstantIsnatchedhisswordfromhisside，onwhichmyeyeshadsometimebeenfixed，sprangoutofthedoor，tumbledthesentinelfromthetoptothebottomofthestairs，passedthemenwhohappenedtobedrawnupbeforetheprisondoortorelievetheguard，attackedthemswordinhand，threwthemsuddenlyintosurprisebythemannerinwhichIlaidaboutme，woundedfourofthem，madewaythroughtherest，sprangoverthebreastworkoftheramparts，and，withmysworddrawninmyhand，immediatelyleapedthisastonishingheightwithoutreceivingtheleastinjury。I
leapedthesecondwallwithequalsafetyandgoodfortune。Noneoftheirpieceswereloaded；noonedurstleapafterme，andinordertopursue，theymustgoroundthroughthetownandgateofthecitadel；sothatIhadthestartfullhalfanhour。
Asentinel，however，inanarrowpassage，endeavouredtoopposemyflight，butIparriedhisfixedbayonet，andwoundedhimintheface。Asecondsentinel，meantime，ranfromtheoutworks，toseizemebehind，andI，toavoidhim，madeaspringatthepalisadoes；
thereIwasunluckilycaughtbythefoot，andreceivedabayonetwoundintheupperlip；thusentangled，theybeatmewiththebutt—
endoftheirmuskets，anddraggedmebacktoprison，whileI
struggledanddefendedmyselflikeamangrowndesperate。
Certainitis，hadImorecarefullyjumpedthepalisadoes，anddespatchedthesentinelwhoopposedme，Imighthaveescaped，andgainedthemountains。ThusmightIhavefledtoBohemia，afterhaving，atnoonday，brokenfromthefortressofGlatz，sprungpastallitssentinels，overallitswalls，andpassedwithimpunity，indespiteoftheguard，whowereunderarms，readytoopposeme。I
shouldnot，havingasword，havefearedanysingleopponent，andwasabletocontendwiththeswiftestrunners。
Thatgoodfortunewhichhadsofarattendedmeforsookmeatthepalisadoes，wherehopewasatanend。Theseveritiesofimprisonmentwereincreased；twosentinelsandanunderofficerwerelockedinwithme，andwerethemselvesguardedbysentinelswithout；
Iwasbeatenandwoundedbythebutt—endsoftheirmuskets，myrightfootwassprained，Ispatblood，andmywoundswerenotcuredinlessthanamonth。
CHAPTERV。
IwasnowfirstinformedthattheKinghadonlycondemnedmetoayear’simprisonment，inordertolearnwhetherhissuspicionswerewellfounded。Mymotherhadpetitionedforme，andwasanswered，"Yoursonmustremainayearimprisoned，asapunishmentforhisrashcorrespondence。"
OfthisIwasignorant，anditwasreportedinGlatzthatmyimprisonmentwasforlife。Ihadonlythreeweekslongertorepineforthelossofliberty，whenImadethisrashattempt。WhatmusttheKingthink？Washenotobligedtoactwiththisseverity？Howcouldprudenceexcusemyimpatience，thustoriskaconfiscation，whenIwascertainofreceivingfreedom，justification，andhonour，inthreeweeks？But，suchwasmyadversefate，circumstancesalltendedtoinjureandpersecuteme，tillatlengthIgavereasontosupposeIwasatraitor，notwithstandingthepurityofmyintentions。
Oncemore，then，wasIinadungeon，andnosoonerwasItherethanIformednewprojectsofflight。Ifirstgainedtheintimacyofmyguards。Ihadmoney，andthis，withthecompassionIhadinspired，mighteffectanythingamongdiscontentedPrussiansoldiers。SoonhadIgainedthirty—twomen，whowerereadytoexecute，onthefirstsignal，whateverIshouldcommand。Twoorthreeexcepted，theywereunacquaintedwitheachother；theyconsequentlycouldnotallbebetrayedatatime：hadchosenthesub—officerNicholaitoheadthem。
Thegarrisonconsistedonlyofonehundredandtwentymenfromthegarrisonregiment，therestbeingdispersedinthecountyofGlatz，andfourofficers，theircommanders，threeofwhomwereinmyinterest。Everythingwasprepared；swordsandpistolswereconcealedintheovenwhichwasinmyprison。Weintendedtogivelibertytoalltheprisoners，andretirewithdrumsbeatingintoBohemia。
Unfortunately，anAustriandeserter，towhomNicholaihadimpartedourdesign，wentanddiscoveredourconspiracy。Thegovernorinstantlysenthisadjutanttothecitadel，withordersthattheofficeronguardshouldarrestNicholai，and，withhismen，takepossessionofthecasement。
Nicholaiwasontheguard，andthelieutenantwasmyfriend，andbeinginthesecret，gavethesignalthatallwasdiscovered。
Nicholaionlyknewalltheconspirators，severalofwhomthatdaywereonguard。Heinstantlyformedhisresolution，leapedintothecasement，crying，"Comrades，toarms，wearebetrayed！"Allfollowedtotheguard—house，wheretheyseizedonthecartridges，theofficerhavingonlyeightmen，andthreateningtofireonwhoevershouldofferresistance，cametodelivermefromprison；buttheirondoorwastoostrong，andthetimetooshortforthattobedemolished。Nicholai，callingtome，bidmeaidthem，butinvain：
andperceivingnothingmorecouldbedoneforme，thisbraveman，headingnineteenothers，marchedtothegateofthecitadel，wheretherewasasub—officerandtensoldiers，obligedthesetoaccompanyhim，andthusarrivedsafelyatBraunau，inBohemia；for，beforethenewswasspreadthroughthecity，andmenwerecollectedforthepursuit，theywerenearlyhalf—wayontheirjourney。
TwoyearsafterImetwiththisextraordinarymanatOfenbourg，wherehuewasawriter：heenteredimmediatelyintomyservice，andbecamemyfriend，butdiedsomemonthsafterofaburningfever，atmyquartersinHungary，atwhichIwasdeeplygrieved，forhismemorywillbeeverdeartome。
NowwasIexposedtoallthestormsofill—fortune：aprosecutionwasenteredagainstmeasaconspirator，whowantedtocorrupttheofficersandsoldiersoftheKing。Theycommandedmetonametheremainingconspirators；buttothesequestionsImadenoanswer，exceptbysteadfastlydeclaringIwasaninnocentprisoner，anofficerunjustlybroken；unjustly，becauseIhadneverbeenbroughttotrial；thatconsequentlyIwasreleasedfromallmyengagements；
norcoulditbethoughtextraordinarythatIshouldavailmyselfofthatlawofnaturewhichgiveseverymanarighttodefendhishonourdefamed，andseekbyeverypossiblemeanstoregainhisliberty：thatsuchhadbeenmysolepurposeineveryenterpriseI
hadformed，andsuchshouldstillcontinuetobe，forIwasdeterminedtopersist，tillIshouldeitherbecrownedwithsuccess，orlosemylifeintheattempt。
Thingsthusremained：everyprecautionwastakenexceptthatIwasnotputinirons；itbeingalawinPrussiathatnogentlemanorofficercanbeloadedwithchains，unlesshehasfirstforsomecrimebeendeliveredovertotheexecutioner；andcertainlythishadnotbeenmycase。
Thesoldierswerewithdrawnfrommychamber；butthegreatestillwasIhadexpendedallmymoney，andmykindmistress，atBerlin，withwhomIhadalwayscorresponded，andwhichmypersecutorscouldnotprevent，atlastwrote—
"Mytearsflowwithyours；theeviliswithoutremedy——Idarenomore——escapeifyoucan。Myfidelitywilleverbethesame，whenitshallbepossibleformetoserveyou。——Adieu，unhappyfriend：youmeritabetterfate。"
Thisletterwasathunderbolt：—mycomfort，however，stillwasthattheofficerswerenotsuspected，andthatitwastheirdutytovisitmychamberseveraltimesaday，andexaminewhatpassed：fromwhichcircumstanceIfeltmyhopessomewhatrevive。Henceanadventurehappenedwhichisalmostunexampledintalesofknight—errantry。
Alieutenant，whosenamewasBach，aDanebynation，mountedguardeveryfourthday，andwastheterrorofthewholegarrison；for，beingaperfectmasterofarms，hewasincessantlyinvolvedinquarrels，andgenerallylefthismarksbehindhim。Hehadservedintworegiments，neitherofwhichwouldassociatewithhimforthisreason，andhehadbeensenttothegarrisonregimentatGlatzaspunishment。