No More Learning

_Stral. _ (_to_ FRITZ). Prithee, Fritz, inform me
What hath been done to trace the fellow?

_Fritz_. Faith!
My Lord, not much as yet, except conjecture.

_Stral. _ Besides the loss (which, I must own, affects me
Just now materially), I needs would find
The villain out of public motives; for
So dexterous a spoiler, who could creep
Through my attendants, and so many peopled 220
And lighted chambers, on my rest, and snatch
The gold before my scarce-closed eyes, would soon
Leave bare your borough, Sir Intendant!

_Iden. _ True;
If there were aught to carry off, my Lord.

_Ulr. _ What is all this?

_Stral. _ You joined us but this morning,
And have not heard that I was robbed last night.

_Ulr.
_ Some rumour of it reached me as I passed
The outer chambers of the palace, but
I know no further.

_Stral. _ It is a strange business:
The Intendant can inform you of the facts. 230

_Iden. _ Most willingly. You see----

_Stral. _ (_impatiently_). Defer your tale,
Till certain of the hearer's patience.

_Iden. _ That
Can only be approved by proofs. You see----

_Stral. _ (_again interrupting him, and addressing_ ULRIC).
In short, I was asleep upon my chair,
My cabinet before me, with some gold
Upon it (more than I much like to lose,
Though in part only): some ingenious person
Contrived to glide through all my own attendants,
Besides those of the place, and bore away
A hundred golden ducats, which to find 240
I would be fain, and there's an end. Perhaps
You (as I still am rather faint) would add
To yesterday's great obligation, this,
Though slighter, yet not slight, to aid these men
(Who seem but lukewarm) in recovering it?

_Ulr. _ Most willingly, and without loss of time--
(_To_ IDENSTEIN.