“It is not quite so bad as your calling Tottleben a notorious adventurer; for the princes are not here, but Tottleben is before the gates of Berlin, and will revenge himself.”

“I am afraid our prospects are equally bad, and for that reason I have come to you, that we might consult together as to what we had best do, to avert this threatening blow from our heads.”

“You are right,” said Kretschmer, drawing nearer to his brother editor.  “Let us consider.  Above all things, no exciting calls, no appeals to the people to perform deeds of heroic valor.  Berlin is too weak for defence; why, then, should we irritate the enemy by useless opposition?”

“You, too, are right,” said Krause thoughtfully; “let us rather advise the citizens of Berlin to be quiet; let us wheel boldly round, and speak in our journals with respect and deference of our worthy enemy.”

“Besides which, it would be well to consult with some of the principal men who have an influence on the people.  For example, let us go to Gotzkowsky,” said Kretschmer.

“Gotzkowsky gives a great holiday to his workmen to-day.”

“So much the better, for then he can immediately use his influence on his workmen.  Come, let us go at once to Gotzkowsky, this Croesus of Berlin, who bought for our king three hundred thousand dollars’ worth of pictures in Italy, without having been paid for them up to this day, and yet is able to take a contract for commissary stores to the amount of eight millions.  Let us go to him; and, hark ye! it would be as well to take Pfannenstiel with us to back us.”

“Yes,” said Krause, raising himself quickly by the arm of his younger friend, “let us go to Gotzkowsky with Pfannenstiel, and preach mildness and submission to him and his workmen.”

They both prepared to go.  Suddenly Kretschmer stopped as if struck by lightning, and sank down on a chair stunned.  “My article, my article!” moaned he.  “I am a lost man!”

“What article do you mean, my dearest friend?”

“The leading article in tomorrow’s paper,” whimpered Kretschmer.  “Oh, it was a beautiful article, full of inspiration, but it is not suitable to the times or the circumstances.  I wrote it under the erroneous impression that our armies had gained a victory, and in it I spoke with great contempt of the incendiary enemy.”

“My God, what rashness!” exclaimed Krause, clasping his hands in despair.

Kretschmer flew from his stool, and grasped his hat.  “My article!  I must have my article back.  The printer must give it up to me.  Wait for me in the street.  I come either with my article or not at all.”

Bidding Krause a hasty farewell, he hurried out.

* * * * *

CHAPTER VII.

THE INTERRUPTED FESTIVAL.

Gotzkowsky had as yet received no intelligence of the danger which threatened the town, and was enjoying the festival in his garden in the midst of his people.