Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 9, 1895 - Romances Volume II

THE FALL COMPLETED
'It was to no ill end. It was to buy a farm,'
quoth Otto sulkily.
' To buy a farm ! ' cried Gotthold. ' Buy a farm ! '
'Well, what then?' returned Otto. 'I have
bought it, if you come to that. '
Gotthold fairly bounded on his seat. ' And how
that ? ' he cried.
' How ? ' repeated Otto, startled.
' Ay, verily, how ! ' returned the Doctor. ' How
came you by the money ? '
The Prince's countenance darkened. ' That is my
affair,' said he.
'You see you are ashamed,' retorted Gotthold.
'And so you bought a farm in the hour of your
country's need — doubtless to be ready for the abdi-
cation ; and I put it that you stole the funds.
There are not three ways of getting money : there
are but two : to earn and steal. And now, when
you have combined Charles the Fifth and Long-
fingered Tom, you come to me to fortify your
vanity ! But I will clear my mind upon this matter :
until I know the right and wrong of the transaction
I put my hand behind my back. A man may be
the pitifullest prince ; he must be a spotless gentle-
man.'
The Prince had gotten to his feet, as pale as
paper. ' Gotthold,' he said, ' you drive me beyond
bounds. Beware, sir, beware ! '
' Do you threaten me, friend Otto ? ' asked the
Doctor grimly. ' That would be a strange con-
clusion.'
9— l 161