Volume II Part 2 (2/2)

The stranger did not reply; his gaze was directed toward the table and the guests, and the host, who had observed his look, again repeated the question

The stranger walked into thehilass of brandy”

”I thought--I believed--” began the host

”Do as I told you I aood dinner ready, and as soon as--the other one arrives, you can serve it”

”It shall be attended to,” nodded Schho thought thelord

Just as the host was about to leave the rooain and two more travellers entered The first comer threw a look at the new arrivals, and a frown crossed his ugly face

The last tho entered were entirely dissi, must have formerly been a soldier He was dressed plainly in civilian's clothes, and his bushy whitelook; the deep blue eyes, however, served to soften the features The other man was evidently a carman; he wore a blue linen blouse, leathern shoes, knee-breeches and a large round hat

When the host praised his kitchen to the new-coround, for when he asked the first guest whether he would like to have sos, the proposition was at once accepted

”Where shall I serve the gentleuests had just perceived the first comer and did not seem to be impressed by his appearance

Nevertheless, the man who looked like a soldier decided that they should be served at one of the side tables When he said this Girdel looked up, and his features showed that the new-coers to hily when he perceived that the two strangers chose a table as far away from his as possible He looked fixedly at theht hilass and eulp He then took so the pages in such a way as to conceal his face

The host now brought the has As he placed them on the table, the carman hastily asked:

”How far is it, sir, froentle to the vicinity

To Remireet there then in the course of the afternoon”

”That is a question,” remarked Schwan

”How so? What do you mean?”

”The road is very bad,” he replied

”That won't be so very dangerous”

”Oh, but the floods!”