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Updated: June 23, 2025
"Mr. Zoller is every inch a king," said Balby, laughing. Wearied, indeed utterly exhausted, the king and Balby returned to the hotel of the Black Raven, at that time the most celebrated in Amsterdam.
To his great astonishment, the colonel found him searching through a trunk, which contained a few articles of clothing little calculated to arrest the attention of a king. "Balby," said the king, solemnly, but with a roguish sparkle of the eye, "I wish to present you this plain brown suit. I owe you a reward for your hearty friendship and your faithful services. This is a princely gift.
Their servant followed with the little carpet-bag and the two music-cases. When Deesen became aware of the presence of the hostess, and the two head-servants, he advanced near to the king. "Your majesty, may I now speak?" he murmured. "Not yet," said the king, smiling, "wait until we are in the carriage." He descended the steps, with a friendly nod to the hostess. Balby and himself left the house.
"I thank your majesty," said Balby, laughing, "you have saved my life. I should have died of curiosity if you had not spoken. Now, I feel powerful and strong, and can keep pace with your majesty's wandering steps." Silently they walked on until they reached a sign-post. "We are now on the border let us bid farewell to the Prussian colors, we see them for the last time.
"Certainly," said Balby, "the words are, 'majesty' and 'sire." "So they are, friend. I leave these two words on the borders of Prussia; perhaps on our return we may find and resume them. But as long as we are on the soil of Holland there must be no majesty, no sire." "What, then, must I call my king?" "You must call him friend, voila tout." "And I?" asked Deesen, respectfully.
Take it as a mark of my grateful regard. That you may be convinced, Balby, that I have long been occupied in preparing this surprise for you, I inform you that these rich articles were made secretly for you in Berlin, by your tailor; I packed them myself, and brought them here for you. Accept them, then, my friend, and wear them in memory of Frederick."
That corruption, seduction, and menaces seconded the intrigues and bayonets which convinced the Ligurian Government of the honour and advantage of becoming subjects of Bonaparte, I have not the least doubt; but that the Doge, Girolamo Durazzo, and the senators Morchio, Maglione, Travega, Maghella, Roggieri, Taddei, Balby, and Langlade sold the independence of their country for ten millions of livres though it has been positively asserted, I can hardly believe; and, indeed, money was as little necessary as resistance would have been unavailing, all the forts and strong positions being in the occupation of our troops.
Balby knew by the comic manner of the king that the sombre suit hid a secret, and he thought it wise to allow the king to take his own time for explanation. "Sire," he said, emphatically, "content is not the word to express my rapture. I am enthusiastic, speechless at this unheard-of favor.
"I will obtain one immediately," said Balby, hastening to the door. The king held him back. "My brother, you are very innocent and thoughtless. You forget entirely that we are suspected criminals.
We have undertaken to travel as ordinary men we must now see how common men get through the world. It is necessary to show the police that we are at least honest men. Happily, I believe I have the means to do so at hand. Open our ominous bag, friend Balby, I think you will discover my portfolio, and in it a few blank passes, and my state seal."
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