Part 47 (1/2)
He was avaricious, and had a large family. Treating him with beer, Zaklika learned from him which way the windows of the Countess's rooms looked out, and also that the iron door of the tower, of which the steward had the key, led to a large empty hall. Zaklika told him he was very fond of old buildings; but to this the steward made no answer.
Another day they were talking about the Countess, and Zaklika tried to arouse pity for her in the steward. They looked at one another--the steward was silent again.
”The Countess,” said Zaklika, ”has still many friends at Court, and some of them think that she will return to the King's favour. I would not be surprised if some of them appeared here one day and offered you a handsome sum of money for a moment's conversation with her.”
The steward muttered something.
”What would you do in that case?” asked Zaklika.
”It would be a devilish temptation,” answered the steward. ”I would do as Luther did, I would throw the inkstand at the devil!”
But he smiled.
”Suppose someone should offer you thirty thalers?” asked Zaklika.
”For thirty thalers they would hang me,” laughed the steward.
”But it is not a crime to let the Countess talk for a few minutes with a friend. However,” continued Zaklika, ”we are talking just in fun; but I am sure just the same that someone would give you even fifty thalers.”
The steward looked at him with wide-open eyes and stroked his beard.
The thought of getting fifty thalers intoxicated him.
”If you know someone who would give me fifty thalers, then tell him to come and see me,” answered the German.
”Here he is,” answered Zaklika.
”I thought so.”
”Conduct me to the empty hall when the women are not with the Countess; I shall not be long with her.”
”Were it not for the women everything could be done very easily.
Unfortunately, they are with the Countess by turns.”
”Tell your wife to invite them.”
”No, a woman should not know about anything.”
”Yes,” said Zaklika; ”but she can invite them without knowing why.”
The consultation lasted quite a while, and they agreed that at the next opportunity the steward should let Zaklika see the Countess.
One day, as she was in her chamber, she heard a knocking at the iron door of the tower. With throbbing heart she rushed there and knocked at it too. At that moment the door opened and Zaklika appeared.
”I have only time to tell you that I am in the vicinity, and that I will do anything to come to your rescue.”
”Help me to escape!” said Cosel.
”It is impossible just now,” said Zaklika; ”at least it requires a great deal of time. You must rely upon me--I will do my best. Drop a cord from the window in the tower, and I will attach a paper with the news to it, for it will be impossible for us to see one another.”
The steward began to grow impatient. Zaklika slipped into the Countess's hand a bag of money, and whispered,--
”You must bribe one of the servants. I am at the inn called 'The Golden Horse Shoe.'”