34 RELEASE. 



of making use of my process for forty louis (For. which 

 supplied me with the required means for making further 

 experiments. 



In the meantime a month of my confinement had 

 elapsed, and I imagined I should have at least a few 

 more months quietly to continue my work. I improved 

 my apparatus and lodged a petition for a patent, 

 whereupon with surprising rapidity a Prussian patent 

 for five years was granted me. But the officer of 

 the guard unexpectedly appeared and to my great 

 terror. I must confess, handed me a royal order-in- 

 council announcing my pardon. It was really hard to 

 be so suddenly torn from my successful activity. 

 According to the regulations I was obliged to leave 

 the citadel the same day, and had neither an abode 

 into which I could put my effects and apparatus, nor 

 any idea whither I should be ordered. 



I therefore drew up a petition to the commander 

 of the fortress, in which I begged to be allowed to 

 occupy my cell for a few more days, in order that I 

 might arrange my affairs and finish my experiments. 

 I came off badly by that however! Towards midnight 

 I was awakened by the entrance of the officer of the 

 guard, who communicated to me that he had received 

 orders to turn me at once out of the citadel. The 

 commander had regarded it as a sign of ingratitude 

 for the royal favour extended to me. that I desired a 

 prolongation of my imprisonment. Accordingly about 

 midnight I was conducted out of the citadel with my 

 effects and had to get a lodging in the town. 



