The King, on reading this statement, was observed to be greatly disturbed.
He questioned my father minutely as to the age, complexion, height, and
general appearance of the said Count von Rettel, and with his own hand
noted down my father's replies on the back of my father's manuscript. This
done, His Majesty desired that the man Hartmann should be brought before
him.
But Hartmann was nowhere to be found. His room was empty. His bed had not
been slept in. He had disappeared, in short, as completely as if he had
never dwelt within the precincts of the Chateau.
It was found, on more particular inquiry being made, that he had not been
seen since the previous evening. Overwhelmed with terror, and perhaps with
remorse, he had rushed out of Monsieur Maurice's presence, never to
return. It was supposed that he had then immediately gathered together all
that belonged to him, and had taken advantage of the bustle and confusion
consequent on the King's arrival, to leave Bruehl in one of the return
carriages or fourgons that had brought the royal party from Cologne. I am
not aware that anything more was ever seen or heard of him; or that any
active search for him was judicially instituted either then, or at any
other time.
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