The Price He Paid — page 112: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AT THE BALL. 103 society, and for the State, were they to share the views I have expressed.” With these words the councilor inclined his head, or rather attempted to do so, for his neckcloth im- posed limits on his will, and majestically left the room, sublimely conscious of having, in a figurative sense, crushed and slain his adversary. The super- intendent who had throughout been a silent listener, now drew near. “You seem to be in disgrace with our loval friend,” he remarked, in a jesting tone. “He was giving me a long account of your dangerous and treasonable connections. I hope——” “The councilor is in error,” interposed George, with quiet distinctness. “The connection with which he reproaches me is a perfectly harmless college friendship, bearing no relation whatever to politics.” The superintendent laughed. “So much the better. The councilor grows quite alarming at times through excess of loyalty. He sees ghosts and specters at every turn. Could he but guess that his own chief was once the comrade and friend of this very Dr. Brunnow, whom he stizgmatizes as an enemy of the State! You, prob- ably, are not unaware of this fact?” “Tam aware of it, certainly,” said George, taken aback by the question. The _ police officer’s intimate acquaintance with circumstances so re- mote surprised him greatly. “How these early friends get separated! How strangely and widely do their paths in life differ!” remarked the other. “The governor, Baron Arno von Raven, anda refugee living in exile, no con- trast could well be greater! It is said, I believe, that the baron himself entertained rather extravagant political views in his youth.” He paused, apparently expecting an answér, but none came. Assessor Winterfeld listened in silence. “T have even heard it asserted that Herr von Raven was in some way mixed up with that trial which resulted in the imprisonment of Dr. Brun- now and his associates. None but vague rumors Gomicbooks (E(0)