The Deans Watch | Page 7

what was going on, and I ordered a pint of wine
and a dish of sauerkraut. Annette came near betraying me. "Goodness!"
she cried, "is it possible!" But one exclamation, more or less, in such a
babel of voices possessed but little significance. It passed unnoticed,
and, while I ate with a ravenous appetite, I listened to the examination
to which Dame Grédel was subjected as she lay back in a large
armchair, her hair falling down and her eyes bulged out with fright.
"How old did the man appear to be?" asked the bailiff. "Between forty
and fifty, sir. He was an enormous man with black side whiskers, or
maybe brown, I don't exactly remember, with a long nose and green
eyes." "Did he have any birthmark or scars?" "I don't remember any.
He only had a big hammer and pistols." "Very good! And what did he
say to you?" "He seized me by the throat, but fortunately I screamed so
loud it frightened him, and I defended myself with my finger-nails.
When any one tries to murder you, you fight hard for your life, sir."
"Nothing is more natural or legitimate, madame. Take this down, Roth!
The coolness of this good woman is remarkable." The rest of the
deposition was in the same strain. They questioned Annette afterward,
but she testified to having been so frightened that she could remember
nothing.
"That will do," said the bailiff; "if we need anything further, we will
return to-morrow morning." Everybody withdrew, and I asked Dame
Grédel for a room for the night. So great had been her fear that she had
not the slightest recollection of having seen me before. "Annette," said
she, "Show the gentleman to the little room on the third floor. I can not
stand on my legs. Oh! dear! what trials we have to bear in this world."
She began to weep.

Annette, having lighted a candle, led me up to the little chamber, and
when we found ourselves alone, she cried innocently: "Oh! Kasper,
Kasper! Who would have believed that you were one of the band! I can
never console myself for having loved a robber!" "What! you, too,
believe us guilty, Annette?" I exclaimed despairingly, dropping into a
chair; "that is the last straw on the camel's back." "No! no! you can not
be. You are too much of a gentleman, dear Kasper! And you were so
brave to come back." I explained to her that I was perishing with cold
and hunger, and that that was the only consideration which led me to
return.
We were left to ourselves for some time; then Annette departed, lest
she should arouse Madame Grédel's suspicions. Left to myself, after
having ascertained that the windows were not approached by any wall,
and that the sashes were securely fastened, I thanked God that I had
thus far been brought safely through the perils which surrounded me,
and then going to bed, I was soon fast asleep.

II
I got up at about eight o'clock the next morning. It was foggy and dark.
As I drew aside the hangings of the bed, I noticed that the snow was
drifted on a level with the windows; the sashes were all white. I began
to reflect upon the sad condition of my companions; they must have
suffered with the cold, particularly old Bremer and Bertha, and the idea
filled me with sorrow. As I was reflecting thus, a strange noise arose
outside. It drew near the inn, and I sprang anxiously to the window to
see if some new dangers were threatening. They were bringing the
famous band of robbers to confront Dame Grédel Dick, who was not
yet sufficiently recovered from her fright to venture out of doors. My
poor comrades came down the street between a double file of police,
and followed by a crowd of street urchins, who screamed and yelled
like savages. It seems to me that I can still see that terrible scene; poor
Bremer chained between his sons, Ludwig and Karl, Wilfred behind
them, and Bertha bringing up the rear and crying piteously: "In the
name of Heaven, my masters, have pity on a poor, innocent harpist! I

kill? I steal? O God! can it be?" She wrung her hands distractedly. The
others proceeded with bowed heads, their hair falling over their faces.
The crowd swarmed into the dark alleyway of the inn. The guards
drove back the rabble, and the door was closed and barred. The eager
crowd remained outside, standing ankle-deep in slush, with their noses
flattened against the panes. A profound silence settled upon the house.
Having by this time got into my clothes, I opened the door part way to
listen, and see if it would be possible to escape from my