and welcomed his Austrian countrymen heartily.

The two gentlemen seated themselves silently; Weingarten took a seat
in front of them.

A painful, embarrassed pause ensued. The majestic Baron von Waltz
looked silently at the ceiling, while the black, piercing eyes of
the little Councillor Zetto examined the countenance of Weingarten
with a strangely searching and penetrating expression.

"You are from Vienna?" said Weingarten at last, putting an end to
this painful silence.

"We are from Vienna," answered the baron, with a grave bow. "And
have travelled here post-haste to have an interview with you."

"With me?" asked the secretary of legation, astonished.

"With you alone," said the baron, gravely.

"We wish you to do the King of Prussia a great service," said Zetto,
solemnly.

Weingarten reddened, and said confusedly: "The King of Prussia! You
forget, gentlemen, that my services belong alone to the Empress
Maria Theresa."

"He defends himself before he is accused," said Zetto, aside. "It is
then true, as we have been told, he is playing a double game--serves
Austria and Prussia at the same time." Turning to Baron Weingarten,