Messengers were
accordingly sent out at once to request them to come instantly to
Pilsen.
After this business was despatched and Wallenstein was disengaged
he was informed that Malcolm desired earnestly to speak to him on
particular business. Greatly surprised at the request, he ordered
that he should be shown in to him.
"Your excellency," Malcolm began when they were alone, "what I am
about to say may anger you, but as I trust that much advantage may
arise from my communication, I implore you to restrain your anger
until you hear me to the end, after which it will be for you to do
with me as you will."
Still more surprised at this commencement, Wallenstein signed to
him to continue.
"I am, sir," Malcolm went on, "no clockmaker, although, indeed,
having worked for some time in the shop of Master Jans Boerhoff
at the time of the siege of Nuremberg, I am able to set clocks and
watches in repair, as I have done to those which have been placed
in my hands here. In reality, sir, I am a Scottish officer, a
captain in the service of Sweden."
Wallenstein gave a short exclamation of angry surprise. "You must
not think, sir, that I have come hither in disguise to be a spy
upon the movements of your army. I came here unwillingly, being
captured by your troops, and forced to accompany them.
"I left the Swedish camp on a private mission, having received there
a missive from the Countess of Mansfeld, who, with her husband,
was a kind friend of mine, telling me that they were prisoners of
the emperor at Prague, and begging me to come to their assistance.
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