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My sons assisted me, and we laboured with our own hands: my wife took care of eight children, without so much as the help of a maid. We lived in poverty, obliged to earn our daily bread. The greatest of my misfortunes was my treatment in the military court, when Zetto and Krugel were my referendaries.
At length, however, I proved that the note was dated a year after I had been imprisoned at Magdeburg. Further, my attorney proved the writs of the court had been falsified. Zetto, referendary, and Bussy, were the forgers; but I happened to be too active, and my attorney too honest, to lose this case.
"Who copied the letter?" asked Weingarten. "Doubtlessly Baron Trenck was not magnanimous enough to do that." "Baron Waltz is a great adept in imitating handwriting, and he happily possessed original letters of Trenck's," said Zetto, smilingly. "You will find it most natural that I should try to win my bet," said Baron Waltz.
To conclude this purchase, I was obliged to solicit the referendary, Zetto, and his friend whom he had appointed as my curator, for my new estate was likewise made a fidei commissum, as my referendaries and curators would not let me escape contribution. The six thousand florins of which they emptied my purse would have done my family much service.
Why, if your story is authentic, and well calculated to startle even the brave king, have you thought it necessary to remove my doubts with this document?" Baron Waltz was silent, and looked inquiringly at Zetto. "Why did I hand you this document?" said the councillor, with a sweet smile. "Because gold remains gold, whether received from an Austrian councillor or from a Prussian prince."
"We are ready to give the most incontrovertible proofs." "I must, before acting, be convinced of the veracity of your charges." "I hope that my word of honor will convince you of their truth," said Baron Waltz, pathetically. Weingarten bowed, with an ambiguous smile, that did not escape Zetto. He drew forth his pocket-book, and took from it a small, folded paper, which he handed to Weingarten.
Zetto had clogged me with a curator and when the cow had no more milk to give, they began to torture me with deputations, sequestrations, administrations, and executions. Nineteen times was I obliged to attend in Vienna within two years, at my own expense. Every six years must I pay an attorney to dispute and quarrel with the curator. I, in conclusion, was obliged to pay.
"Gentlemen," said Baron Weingarten, smilingly, "No one has spoken of a present, but of a payment, a bribery, and you can readily understand that this is insulting to a man of honor." "Ah, he leaves open a door of escape," thought Zetto. "He is won, he can be bought. You are right, baron," he said aloud, "and we are wrong to offer you now that which hereafter will be a debt of gratitude.
The reader would now hope that my calamities were at an end; yet, upon my honour, I would prefer the suffering of the Star Fort to those I have since endured in Austria, especially while Krugel and Zetto were my referendaries and curators. At this moment I am obliged to be guarded in my expressions. I have put my enemies to shame; but the hope of justice or reward is vain.
We will speak no more of this, but of the danger that threatens the king. You alone can save him by warning him of his danger." "You really believe, then, that Trenck has the intention of murdering the king?" said Weingarten. "We will believe it," said Zetto, with an ambiguous smile. "We must believe it!" cried Baron Waltz, emphatically.
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