"The princess was ordered to Stettin the next day, where she still lives as a prisoner for her gay pranks.

I remembered her punishment, and when a lady has kissed me, I have bravely returned it." The footmen had followed the king up the slowly ascending horse-path to the terrace, and now they sprang quickly forward.

Kretzschmar swung himself from his saddle, threw Schultz the reins, and, as the king drew up at the side-door of the palace of Sans-Souci, he stood ready to assist him to dismount.

The king had given strict orders that no one should notice his going or coming, and to-day, as usual, he entered without pomp or ceremony into his private room, followed by Kretzschmar alone.

He sank back into his armchair, the blue damask covering of which was torn and bitten by the dogs, so that the horse-hair stood out from the holes.
"Now relate to me, Kretzschmar, how your expedition succeeded.