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There was nothing remarkable about the outward look of the letter except, perhaps, the superscription, in which Wastei had detected something of old Greifenstein's roughness. But Berbel thought it quite natural that he should have addressed it simply, 'To my son Greif, as he had done.
Being interpreted, the name signifies Sebastian. 'And Wastei must have got it by poaching ? Hilda's face fell. 'No the forester has given him a licence this year, and I mended his breeches. There you have the whole history. Hilda's spirits revived immediately and she broke into a merry laugh, just as the sound of the horses' bells was heard jingling in the castle-yard below the window.
From that day, Wastei, who would have waged war to the death with all regular foresters, had surrendered at discretion to the kindness shown him, and had given up poaching for ever. Berbel could not help liking him, and being grateful to him for many a good turn he had done the poor ladies at Sigmundskron.
'Then you want me to show the coat, together with the letter? 'Of course. 'But when they know that it belonged to Herr von Greifenstein, they will wish to keep it, will they not? 'Of course, repeated Wastei. 'And then, when they find that you have bought it honestly, they will want to buy it of you. 'Of course. 'And you gave twenty marks for it? 'Twenty marks.
'How do you know it is? she asked at last. 'It was stolen on that night by one of those city servants who were always at Greifenstein. Your mother did not notice it. The man took it to a Jew, who kept it a year and then hung it up for sale. A few days ago Wastei bought it to wear at the christening. 'But how did he know? 'He guessed it, and found these marks.
How could a man have eyes with no pupils in them, and yet be able to tell a swift from a swallow as well as Wastei himself and at as great a distance? There was evidently something wrong about Rex, and Berbel preferred to trust any other member of the household. For the rest, there was the baroness and there was Hilda.
She had an odd liking for the fellow. 'God greet you, Frau Berbel, said Wastei with far more politeness than he vouchsafed to most people, high or low. 'I have brought these fish for the christening feast, and I have seen worse. Berbel took the willow wand from his hand, tried the weight, counted the trout with a housewife's eye, tried the weight again, and then nodded approvingly.
'Yes but you have thought about that in the night, answered Wastei keenly. 'You will not wait much longer than to-day. 'What makes you think that? 'It would not be like you, Frau Berbel, said the man, with affected indifference. 'Perhaps not, replied Berbel, smiling unconsciously at the subtle flattery bestowed upon her scrupulously honest character. 'Perhaps not.
Berbel used to suspect that Wastei knew more of the nakedness of the land than he admitted, and that he risked more than one dangerous bit of poaching out of secret pity for the poor ladies who were known to buy so little food in the village.
'Yes, she continued, 'and the wretched servant took it to a Jew and sold it, and the Jew hid it I suppose because he knew it was stolen and long afterwards, only a very few days ago, he sold it to Wastei and Wastei gave it to Berbel, and Berbel showed it to me. 'Is it safe? asked Greif, almost under his breath. 'Yes quite safe. 'Then I do not want to see it 'I have not told you all, dear.
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