Part 48 (1/2)

”I am sure the Countess does not remember a lad whom she has seen many times as the King's page. I am here on a sad duty, and I came here only to spare you some suffering if I can. You must try not to make your position worse.”

Cosel looked at him proudly.

”If you wish to prove to me your sympathy,” she said, ”tell me then what they have discovered and how.”

”I do not know the details,” said the officer. ”The orders were given by Marshal Lowendahl. They have changed the garrison and the servants; the steward of the castle is arrested.”

”And who besides?”

”n.o.body else, besides the servants, I believe,” answered the officer.

”I will come to see you every day. I shall be very severe in the presence of the servants, but I will do anything to please you.”

He saluted and went off.

A few days pa.s.sed by in fear and uncertainty. Zaklika, having learned in Dresden that the plan of escape was discovered, kept quiet, waiting to see if they would try to arrest him. He understood that he could not show himself near Nossen, and in the meantime he felt it would relieve the Countess if she knew he was still free and that she could count on him.

In consequence he dressed as a beggar and stole at nights to the castle. During the day, lying in the thickets, he noticed that the string was not at the window, and that a sentry was beneath it.

Communication with the Countess was therefore very difficult, and he racked his brains how he could do it. Wandering through the country, notwithstanding the snow and cold, he met a pedlar named Trene selling various wares for Christmas. He had a small van which he used to draw to an inn, to which the women came to make their purchases, while to the houses of the richer people he carried the goods himself.

Zaklika had known this pedlar in Dresden. He stopped him and reminded him that he used to make purchases from him at the Wend's house.

”In Nossen,” said Zaklika, ”you can do good business, for in the castle the Countess Cosel is imprisoned. I am sure she will purchase some presents for the servants.”

The pedlar's eyes sparkled.

”Thank you for the advice,” said he. ”I never should have thought of it.”

”When you are there,” said Zaklika, ”remember me to her, for I was in her service formerly.”

”What shall I tell her?” asked the pedlar.

”Tell her that her servant who used to break horseshoes is free, and wanders throughout G.o.d's world. Where are you going from Nossen?” asked Zaklika.

”I think home, for Christmas is not far off, and I would like to spend it with my family.”

”Then perhaps we shall meet on the road.”

The pedlar, like all sellers when it is a question of gain, knew how to act. When he came to the town he went straight to the castle. The soldiers wanted to drive him away; but he raised such a din that the officer came out. He was more indulgent, and sent to the Countess, asking her whether she would admit a pedlar. For distraction's sake Cosel consented.

The modest wares of the poor pedlar did not satisfy her refined taste, and she was looking contemptuously at them, when Herr Trene whispered to her,--

”I was asked to tell you that your faithful servant, the horseshoe-breaker, is in good health, and wanders free through G.o.d's world.”

”Who told you this?” asked Cosel.

”He himself,” answered Trene. ”I met him in the neighbourhood.”

When the Countess had heard those words she purchased a lot from him, and the pedlar was surprised at his good luck. He left the castle happy. He also did good business in the inn, and was obliged to stay overnight. The next day he met Zaklika on the road to Dresden. He greeted him cordially.