The Price He Paid — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

CARRYING OUT ORDERS. 25 The answer was courteous, but decided. “So far _as I know, my predecessor was removed on account of incapacity.” “You are much mistaken. He fell, because he was not agreeable to Baron von Raven, because he occasionally took upon himself to have an opposite opinion of his own. He had to give way, of course, before the all-powerful will which has held arbi- trary sway over us for so long. The attitude as- sumed by our governor to-day will have shown you better than a month in office what the situation of affairs here really is, and if lam not mistaken, you have chosen your side already.” The last words were spoken in a very pointed man- ner, but the superintendent seemed not to remark it. He only smiled affably by way of reply; and as they had now reached the door of exit, the two gentle- men parted company. Meanwhile the baron and his third visitor had remained closeted together. Colonel Wilten, com- manding officer of the garrison stationed at R—, was aman of right soldierly appearance, yet not- withstanding his natural advantages, enhanced as they were by his uniform and the orders he wore, he could not bear comparison with the tall and stately figure of his host in plain civilian attire. “You really should not proceed with too great severity, baron,” the colonel remarked, taking up the thread of the conversation where the others had left it. “These perpetual conflicts with the respect- able citizens are looked on with great disfavor in high quarters.” “Do you suppose the conflicts are agreeable to me?” asked Raven. “But in this case to forbear would be to show weakness, and that, 1 hope, will hardly be expected of me.” The other shook his head dubiously. “You are aware that Il have been absent, spend- ing a few weeks in the capital,” he began anew. “During that time I mixed a good dealin minis- terial circles, and I must tell you, confidentially, that opinion there is not favorable to you. You are - in ill-odor.” EOmichboo cS eC)