Chapter 41

EVERSMANN _comes from the_ KING'S _room._

SECKENDORF (_puts his head in at another door_).

Pst! Eversmann! Have you seen him yet?

EVERSMANN.

Seen whom, Count?

SECKENDORF. The Prince of Wales. He is indeed in Berlin--he has been seen everywhere. _Unter den Linden_--by the river--even beyond Treptow--a frail figure of a man, stooping slightly--his left shoulder higher than the right. When he speaks you see that one eye-tooth is missing--

EVERSMANN.

The King will not recognize the presence of the Prince of Wales.

SECKENDORF.

We are being deceived, Eversmann. The King has recognized it. [_Low._] Or can it be that you have not heard of that most strange--most remarkable command that has gone out to the Castle Guards--a command which upsets all our deductions and plans? All sentries have orders to let a white domino, if such a one should appear at night about the castle, pass unhindered and even unchallenged. Do you not see the thoughtfulness for the Prince of Wales in that? It is he who is to visit His Majesty secretly in disguise. Eversmann, all our pro-Austrian plans are in danger. [_There is a knock at the door._] Every noise startles me these days.

EVERSMANN.

It is the court tailor most likely, pardon me. [_He goes to the door._] Ha, ha! the white domino!

SECKENDORF.

The court tailor? What can the court tailor be doing here? And a white domino? Vienna's interests are in danger. The King does favor England. I must have certainty. This is the moment when I must show my whole power.