Part 46 (1/2)
Zaklika turned; the fool recognized him.
”What is the matter with you?” he exclaimed. ”You look as if you were married.”
”I have returned from a journey.”
”You are a Catholic, then you must have been in purgatory?”
”I wandered through the world,” answered Zaklika. ”But tell me what is going on here?”
”You wish me to be a historiographer,” laughed the fool. ”You had better ask what is not going on.”
”Do you know what has become of my former mistress?” asked Zaklika.
”I do not know who was your mistress.”
”The Countess Cosel.”
Frohlich looked round and put his fingers on his lips.
”Who p.r.o.nounces that name?” said he. ”There is nothing to laugh at, and you know that I live by laughter.”
”But you can tell me at least what has become of her?”
”Then you do not know? Where have you been?”
”Far.”
”I think that even afar they talk about that. That woman in whose slavery our lord was, it seems, is now imprisoned by him, and her captivity will last longer than her domination.”
”And where is she?” asked Zaklika.
”They say that she is in Nossen Castle, but to be sure they will build something finer for her,” laughed the fool by habit, but sadly. ”No! I would not like to be a woman. Speaking frankly, it is not much comfort to be a man either. If I had my choice, I would like to be a donkey.
n.o.body eats donkey's meat, his skin is thick, and when long-ears begins to sing, everybody runs away and leaves him alone. If one adds that he has always a good appet.i.te, and that he can live on old broom, one sees that there is no happier being in the world.”
”Nossen! Nossen!” repeated Zaklika thoughtfully, having forgotten about the fool.
”I am talking about an a.s.s, and you about Nossen! Do not prattle about sad things, and good-bye!”
Frohlich, having put the official smile on his lips, went away. Zaklika returned to Hawlik, from whom he learned where the castle was; and he started in its direction the same day.
He was very glad that Cosel had noticed him coming, for he knew that he would bring her some consolation.
He went to the inn in the village, where he a.s.sumed the role of a buyer of skins, and thus, while apparently going round on business, had plenty of time to learn all about the castle. The building was old, and Cosel's guard was composed of a few old men. They did not let any one in, but they did not watch her very strictly. The windows were very high, and n.o.body thought that an escape could be accomplished through them; consequently there were no sentries. The soldiers spent their time smoking pipes in the courtyard, and at Cosel's door.
In the rear of the castle one could approach the windows very easily.
In order to have a good pretext for longer sojourn at the inn, Zaklika simulated being unwell. The innkeeper was glad of it, for he had to feed the horse as well as take care of the man.
At supper he learned that they had brought to the castle the lady who attempted the King's life, as well as how many soldiers guarded her.