bank, her parents insisting that she should not spend the least part of them on the general expenses.
Thus quietly and concealed from the world the Sadovsky family had lived in Prague for three years.
In his office Sadovsky enjoyed the favor and confidence of his superior officers and the sincere friendship of his colleagues. Being well versed in law, and having a reputation for great conscientiousness in the performance of every duty, he was entrusted with some of the most important investigations. He always did his work with the utmost faithfulness, and when there was more than he could do in regular hours he made it up by robbing himself of much needed rest, unmindful of the fact that his health suffered thereby.
In this hard, cheerless life one star still remained for him above the horizon—the hope of promotion. With an increase of salary all would be changed for the better. Many a time he saw this hope almost realized. Vacancies occurred; his colleagues that had started on their official career with him were already provided for; now surely it was his turn; but again and again he was doomed to bitter disappointment. At forty-two he was still merely an adjutant. It never occurred to him that his haggard face, his weakened constitution could have anything to do with the fact that men younger than himself were promoted over him. In spite of disappointment he never showed the least ill will toward the more fortunate ones, nor did he neglect his duties.
Not even his family ever heard a word of complaint from him; he would not make Hedwiga any unhappier, though she herself at times touched the sore spot in his heart.
"When I entered upon my official career," he often said, I made no agreement with my superiors that in so many years I should become a circuit judge, or a member of the state judiciary. I have no right to demand anything, or to complain, I can only be patient and wait."
He was patient, and he continued to wait. He waited and worked beneath his green lamp shade, until one night he fell asleep there. Nature, so long defrauded, finally demanded her rights. The next day the people across the street told each other in great wonder that the adjutant had not gone to bed at all, but that the lamp had burned to the very dawn. He was found thus asleep by his wife, who blew out the lamp, and gently raising his head, pushed a pillow under it, and left him to sleep on. When he woke up he scarcely had time to eat his breakfast and rush to his office, not little vexed with his wife for allowing him to sleep so long.
That day he was to carry on the examination of Vojta Sykora. Some new developments had been brought to light by the police, all pointing to him as one of the leaders in the dangerous socialistic agitation in Prague. He was suspected of inciting the laboring men to strike.
In a few moments now the trial was to begin and the adjutant was not prepared. He had not even read all the papers delivered to him by the police. He was in a state of feverish excitement. His cheeks
Vol. III 5
