"I ask my prime minister if he knows how far the King of Prussia has
advanced into Saxony?"

"Sire, I was in perfect ignorance of this unheard-of event. The King
of Prussia wishes to surprise us in a manner worthy of the most
skilful magician. Perhaps it is one of those April jests which
Frederick II is so fond of practising."

"Your excellency can judge for yourself," said Count Mattzahn,
earnestly, "whether the taking of towns and fortresses is to be
considered a jest. For, if I am rightly informed, you have this day
received two dispatches, informing you of my royal master's line of
march."

"How?" said the king, hastily; "you were aware of this, count, and I
was not informed? You received important dispatches, and I was not
notified of it?"

"It is true," said the count, much embarrassed. "I received two
couriers. The dispatches of the first were handed to me the same
moment your majesties entered my house; I received the other just as
Count Mattzahn arrived. I have, therefore, read neither."

"With your majesty's permission," said Count Mattzahn, "I will
inform you of their contents."

"You will be doing me a great service," said the king, earnestly.

"The first dispatch, sire, contained the news that his majesty the
King of Prussia had taken without resistance the fortresses of