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Saying this, Herr Goebel rose, and went to his desk in a corner of the room, where he indited the memorial he had outlined, and, after sprinkling it with sand, presented it to Roland, who read: "These presents warn him to whom they are presented that Roland the bearer is my son, and that what he has done has been done with my sanction, therefore he and his twenty comrades are to be held scathless, pending an appeal to me in my capital city of Frankfort.
There is no difficulty in learning that his barge went down the river, manned by a crew of his own choosing. Of course, it need never come to this, because Goebel, being a shrewd man, could at once see in what jeopardy he stood, and convinced from the men's own story that they were part, at least, of your contingent, would deliver up the treasure to them.
We have seen you safely to your waiting family, and at that reunion there should be no intruders. But to-morrow night, if you will have us, we will drink to the city, and to your own good health, Herr Goebel." This sentiment was applauded by all, and the merchant, seeing that they would not accept his present invitation, bowed in acquiescence, and bade them good-by.
Injunctions were obtained against many old offenders, and it seemed as though the Edison interests were about to come into their own for the brief unexpired term of the fundamental patent, when a new bombshell was dropped into the Edison camp in the shape of an alleged anticipation of the invention forty years previously by one Henry Goebel.
When at last quiet was restored, he continued, with a gravity in striking contrast to the hilarity of his audience: "Herr Goebel is filling his largest barge with bales of cloth, and he has engaged an efficient crew, and a capable captain who will assume charge of the navigation.
"In that case," replied the other, "you show yourself amazingly ignorant of its concerns; otherwise you would know that Herr Goebel is one of the leading merchants of the city, a man honorable, enlightened, and energetic an example to us all, and one esteemed alike by noble or peasant. We honor ourselves in honoring him."
Here, before retiring to bed, he wrote the letter which he was to send in next day to Herr Goebel, composing it with some care, so that it aroused curiosity without satisfying it. It was half-past ten next morning when Roland presented himself at the door of the leading merchant in the Fahrgasse, and sent in to that worthy his judiciously worded epistle.
"Herr Goebel should be proud of such commendation, mein Herr, coming I judge, from one to whom the words you use might also be applied." The merchant bowed gravely at this compliment, but made no remark upon it. "Pardon my further curiosity," continued the young man, "but from whence does Herr Goebel return?" "He comes from prison," said the other.
With quivering hands Herr Goebel, seeing no humor in the application, handed over the money, which the Prince slipped into his wallet. Dusk had fallen when at last he reached his room in Sachsenhausen, and there he found awaiting him Joseph Greusel, in semi-darkness and in total gloom. "Your housekeeper let me in," said the visitor. "Good! I did not expect you back so soon.
"Ah, I suppose no man is so well known as he thinks he is, but I venture to assert that you are not engaged in business here." "Sir, you are in the right. I fear I have hitherto led a somewhat useless existence." "On money earned by some one else, perhaps." "Again you hit the nail on the head, Herr Goebel.