He took the arm of the baron, and they soon reached the border of the Spree.  The large skiff, which had been lying so dark and still, was now lighted by the torches of the servants, who ranged themselves on each side; it was brilliantly lighted, and great activity prevailed.  The twelve heyducks, bending under their heavy burden, entered the skiff, and piled up the silver-ware, then sprang again ashore.

“We are going to the treasure-room, will you follow us?” said Fredersdorf.

“Certainly; if not, you may perhaps expect to leave me here as sentinel.”

“That is not at all necessary; there are some soldiers with loaded muskets in the skiff.  Come.”

Silently and hastily they all mounted the steps and reached at last the large room where the royal silver had been kept; the door was open, but guarded by sentinels, and Melchoir, who had had the silver in charge, now walked before the door with a disturbed and sad visage.

“May I enter, Melchoir?” said Pollnitz to his old acquaintance, greeting him with a friendly smile.

“There is no necessity to ask,” said Melchoir, sadly.  “My kingdom is at an end, as you see, when the silver is gone; there is no necessity for a steward, and the old Melchoir will be set aside, with all those who yet remain of the good old times of the ever-blessed Frederick William!”

Pollnitz entered the room with Fredersdorf, and his eye wandered over the rich treasures spread out before him, and which the heyducks were now packing in large sacks.

“Oh, if these plates and dishes could speak and converse with me, what curious things we would have to confide with each other!” said Pollnitz, twirling one of the plates between his fingers.  “How often have I dined from your rich abundance!  Under the first pomp-and-splendor-loving Frederick, you furnished me with gala dinners; under the parsimonious Frederick William, with solid family dinners!  How often have I seen my smiling face reflected in your polished surface! how often has this silver fork conveyed the rarest morsels to my lips!  I declare to you, Fredersdorf, I think a dinner plate fulfils a noble mission; within its narrow bound lie the bone and sinew, as also the best enjoyments of life.  But tell me, for God’s sake, how can you bear that these rascals should handle the king’s silver so roughly?  Only look, now, at that heyduck, he has completely doubled up one of those beautiful salad-bowls, in order to force it into the mouth of the sack.”

“What signifies, dear baron?  That said salad-bowl will never again he used for salad, henceforth it is only silver.”

“You speak in riddles, and I do not understand you.  Well, well, those fellows have already filled their twelve sacks, and this room is now as empty and forlorn as the heart of an old bachelor.  Now tell me what you are going to do with all these treasures?”

“Can you not guess?”

“I think the king, who now lives in Potsdam, needs his silver service, and as he does not wish to make a new purchase, he sends to Berlin for this.  Am I right?”