Page:H.M. The Patrioteer.djvu/137

Rh blood. Finally he understood that it was he who had been challenged.

"His Majesty wears a moustache like that. It is a German fashion. Moreover, I decline all discussion with an employer who encourages revolution."

Lauer opened his mouth in a rage, although old Buck's brother, Heuteufel, Cohn and Judge Fritzsche tried to drag him off. Jadassohn and Pastor Zillich ranged themselves beside Diederich, ready for the fray. Then a detachment of infantry arrived at a quick march and closed off the street, which was quite empty. The lieutenant in charge called upon the gentlemen to move on. They lost no time in obeying, but they observed how the lieutenant went up to the sentry on duty and shook his hand.

"Bravo!" said Jadassohn, and Dr. Heuteufel added: "Tomorrow, I suppose, it will be the turn of the, captain, the major and the colonel to pronounce his eulogy and reward the fellow with money."

"Quite right!" said Jadassohn.

"But—" Heuteufel stood still—"gentlemen, let us understand one another. What is the sense in all that? Just be cause this lout of a peasant could not understand a joke. A joking reply, a good-humoured laugh, and he would disarm the workman who wanted to challenge him, his comrade, a poor devil like himself, instead of that, he is ordered to shoot. And afterwards come the grandiloquent phrases." Judge Fritzsche agreed, and counselled moderation. Then said Diederich, still pale and with a voice that trembled:

"The people must learn to feel power! The life of one man is not too much to pay for the sensation of imperial power!"

"Provided it is not your life," retorted Heuteufel.

"Even if it were mine!" he returned, placing his hand upon his heart.