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"In the first place, I am to go to General Gneisenau and inform him that the field-marshal is sick and confined to his bed to-day, and refuses to see any one. General Gneisenau will mention it, of course, to Surgeon-General Dr. Voelzke, who will come to see the field-marshal.
First, however, look at my eyes, do you hear; look closely at them. Well, how do they look?" "Very sore," said Christian, mournfully. "And they have not grown better, though Voelzke, the surgeon-general has been doctoring them every day; and, by his salves, mixtures, leeches, and blisters, causing me almost as much pain as the eyes themselves.
"I have often and urgently begged him to-day to announce me to the field-marshal; but he persisted in replying that he was not allowed to do so, and that he was ordered to admit no one." "And I would have given my little-finger, if I could have admitted General Gneisenau, and Dr. Voelzke, too; for I knew that, as soon as they would be with the field-marshal, his departure would not be very soon.
"He intends to forsake us his army that worships him, his friends who idolize him, his king who hopes in him he intends to leave us all!" said Gneisenau, mournfully. "It is written here, doctor; I may mention it to you, for you are one of our most devoted friends." "And he intends also to leave his physician; he will go, and get blind!" exclaimed Voelzke, reproachfully.
"Why, yes, of course, I am," said Blucher, sullenly. "I must make my entry, I must keep my word, and get into Paris after aiding in getting HIM out of it." "That is to say," cried Dr. Voelzke, "you intend to break your pledge, and prove faithless to your oath?" "What oath?" asked Blucher, greatly surprised.
"You yourself, your excellency," said Surgeon-General Voelzke. "What, I! What nonsense is this!" cried Blucher, laughing. "Yes, I heard it from yourself. Do you not remember that you heard a mouse rustle in your alcove?" "To be sure, I did; I heard it twice." "Well, then, the mouse was myself! I discovered a small secret side- door in your room, and desired to know whither it led.
"Well, good-by, then; make haste and leave!" cried Blucher, pushing Gneisenau and Voelzke toward the door. They left, and the field-marshal was again alone with Christian Hennemann. "Well," he said, "give me a pipe: while the others are making their entrance into Paris, I want you to afford me a little pleasure, too.
"Stay!" begged Voelzke; "think of the pain which you have already suffered, and of that you will suffer, and of which I give you sufficient warning." "Yes, field-marshal," begged Hennemann, with tearful eyes, "pray do what the doctor says; do not hazard your sight; for, let me say, field-marshal, a blind man is like a pipe that will not draw; both of them will go out."
"Yes, your excellency," cried Gneisenau and Voelzke at the same time. "Well, tell me, then, how did you discover that I intended to start to-day, the pipe-master having said nothing about it to you? For I shall never believe that both of you could happen to come to me at so unusual an hour, and without any reason. Reply who told you that I was about to leave?"
"It is true, I did not think sufficiently on this matter," murmured Blucher to himself "Voelzke," he then cried aloud, "you pledge me your word of honor that you can cure me?" "I swear it to your excellency by all that is sacred that, if you take care of yourself, and comply with my prescriptions, you will be cured in the course of two weeks."
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