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Updated: September 23, 2025
He did not finish, for Stadinger, who had followed the servant stood in the doorway, and said in a suppressed tone: "I come upon a family matter, Herr von Schönau, but it is a sad one. I cannot wait, but must speak with you at once." "What is it? speak out!" said the head forester. "Has any misfortune happened to the prince? He's not at Rodeck?"
"Her grace only smiled and then asked me about the women employed here at Rodeck, and if all the girls in the region were not here. But I said," and Stadinger threw his head back proudly, "'all the women at the castle, your grace, were engaged by me.
"No, you will not die, you will not die ." "Do you think it is so hard?" said Egon quietly. "Yesterday you were quite right, a burden was on my heart, now it is light. Take a greeting to dear Rodeck, and the forest, and to the lady of Ostwalden." "To whom? To Frau von Wallmoden?" asked Stadinger, thinking he had not heard aright.
How do you think I look as a soldier?" He stood back and straightened himself as he asked the question. He was a handsome man, and his tall, slender figure appeared to great advantage in the rich uniform which he wore. Stadinger looked at him with eyes full of admiration. "You're magnificent!" he said. "It's a pity your highness has to go as a soldier!" "What do you mean?
But I'm provoked enough at you for having gathered together all the repulsive looking creatures in the neighborhood as soon as you knew I was coming. You should be ashamed of yourself, Stadinger." The old man looked his young master full in the face, and his voice had an impressive sound, as he answered: "I am not at all ashamed, your highness.
"I'm afraid if I attempted that, it would be all the worse for me," laughed the prince. "Such an old heir-loom, who has served three generations already, and trotted me on his knee as a baby, deserves to be treated with respect. I would gain nothing by commanding and calling him to account. Peter Stadinger does what he pleases, and whenever it suits him, reads me a little text into the bargain."
Orderly from Rodeck, present yourself before his highness, Herr lieutenant, Prince Adelsberg." Through the open door came a tall figure which Egon recognized as that of his old, gray-haired steward. He closed the door cautiously, and came forward into the room. "Saints preserve us, it's Peter Stadinger!" It was, indeed, old Peter who stood in front of his master.
Stadinger looked his young master well over and then replied, discreetly: "I do not know, your highness but it might be so." "You're an old bear," cried the prince sharply. "The whole forest knows that, your highness." "Come on, Hartmut, there's nothing to be gained from this old ghost of the woods," said Egon half angry, half laughing.
Stadinger was silent; everything that he said was laughable or impossible. The prince was only vexed because he had discovered that his friend was only a common soldier.
"More than probable it's an adventurer with whom the prince is amusing himself," murmured Schönau, and aloud he said: "Well good-bye, Stadinger, I must meet my brother-in-law now, and don't lose any sleep over the sea-serpent. When his highness threatens you with it again, tell him I will gladly keep it for him in our fish-pond, but I must see it alive first."
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