Spain | Page 4

Munich--My Stay at
Augsburg--Gasconnade at Louisburg--The Cologne Newspaper--My
Arrival at Aix-la-Chapelle
The greatest mistake a man that punishes a knave can commit is to
leave the said rogue alive, for he is certain to take vengeance. If I had
had my sword in the den of thieves, I should no doubt have defended
myself, but it would have gone ill with me, three against one, and I
should probably have been cut to pieces, while the murderers would
have escaped unpunished.
At eight o'clock Campioni came to see me in my bed, and was
astonished at my adventure. Without troubling himself to
compassionate me, we both began to think how we could get back my
purse; but we came to the conclusion that it would be impossible, as I
had nothing more than my mere assertion to prove the case. In spite of
that, however, I wrote out the whole story, beginning with the girl who
recited the Latin verses. I intended to bring the document before the
police; however, I had not time to do so.
I was just sitting down to dinner, when an agent of the police came and
gave me an order to go and speak to Count Schrotembach, the
Statthalter. I told him to instruct my coachman, who was waiting at the
door, and that I would follow him shortly.
When I called on the Statthalter, I found him to be a thick-set
individual; he was standing up, and surrounded by men who seemed
ready to execute his orders. When he saw me, he shewed me a watch,
and requested me to note the hour.
"I see it."
"If you are at Vienna at that time to-morrow I shall have you expelled
from the city."
"Why do you give me such an unjust order?"

"In the first place, I am not here to give you accounts or reasons for my
actions. However, I may tell you that you are expelled for playing at
games of chance, which are forbidden by the laws under pain of the
galleys. Do you recognize that purse and these cards?"
I did not know the cards, but I knew the purse which had been stolen
from me. I was in a terrible rage, and I only replied by presenting the
magistrate with the truthful narrative of what had happened to me. He
read it, and then said with a laugh that I was well known to be a man of
parts, that my character was known, that I had been expelled from
Warsaw, and that as for the document before him he judged it to be a
pack of lies, since in his opinion it was altogether void of probability.
"In fine," he added, "you will obey my order to leave the town, and you
must tell me where you are going."
"I will tell you that when I have made up my mind to go."
"What? You dare to tell me that you will not obey?"
"You yourself have said that if I do not go I shall be removed by force."
"Very good. I have heard you have a strong will, but here it will be of
no use to you. I advise you to go quietly, and so avoid harsh measures."
"I request you to return me that document."
"I will not do so. Begone!"
This was one of the most terrible moments of my life. I shudder still
when I think of it. It was only a cowardly love of life that hindered me
from running my sword through the body of the Statthalter, who had
treated me as if he were a hangman and not a judge.
As I went away I took it into my head to complain to Prince Kaunitz,
though I had not the honour of knowing him. I called at his house, and
a man I met told me to stay in the ante-chamber, as the prince would
pass through to go to dinner.

It was five o'clock. The prince appeared, followed by his guests,
amongst whom was M. Polo Renieri, the Venetian ambassador. The
prince asked me what he could do for me, and I told my story in a loud
voice before them all.
"I have received my order to go, but I shall not obey. I implore your
highness to give me your protection, and to help me to bring my plea to
the foot of the throne."
"Write out your petition," he replied, "and I will see that the empress
gets it. But I advise you to ask her majesty for a respite, for if you say
that you won't obey, she will be predisposed against you."
"But if the royal grace does not place me in security, I shall be driven
away by violence."
"Then take refuge with