United States or Western Sahara ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
No one could ever guess the secret now, thought Rex, not dreaming that by a strange train of circumstances another letter had been stored away beneath the same roof but yesterday in the safe keeping of honest Berbel. Greif was safe, thought Rex, as he laid his hand upon the drawer again, to take the other thing from its place. He, Rex, would leave no tell-tale letters behind.
She gazed a few moments longer at the pair, regretting that she must be thought heartless if she waved her handkerchief as a signal of welcome, and then she swiftly descended the broken steps that led down into the house, closing as well as she could the crazy door of the turret, to keep out at least a little of the strong north wind. 'Berbel! Berbel!
'God greet, he said, and tossed off the liquor in a trice. 'Luck! he exclaimed again, as he smacked his lips. 'Why do you say luck, in that way? asked the good woman. 'I will tell you, Frau Berbel, answered Wastei, lowering his tone. 'It is the new coat that brought me luck to-day. 'It is a good coat, observed Berbel, in her usual manner.
He bore his burden very carefully, and it was clear that he had gone home to dress himself after catching the trout and before coming to the castle, for he was splendidly arrayed in a pair of new leather breeches and he wore a velvet coat, the like of which had not been seen in Sigmundsdorf within the memory of man, for, like Berbel's ribbands, it was of real silk. Berbel eyed him curiously.
I suppose you have game whenever you like, now, do you not? 'Ay, Wastei I sometimes could not find any lead in your hares 'That made them lighter to carry and more wholesome to eat, observed the other with a chuckle. 'And I had my doubts about them, of course 'But you did not ask many questions not very many did you? 'Not always, Wastei, answered Berbel with a twitch of the lips.
'What is it? asked Hilda, who wanted to lose no time in rejoining her husband. 'It is a very serious affair, and concerns the baron, answered Berbel. 'Perhaps it would be better if you would come to my room. Hilda followed her, wondering what could have happened, and not without some presentiment of evil.
Poor Herr Greif will not eat much 'No but only potatoes, Berbel! 'Potato dumplings are good things, observed the woman. 'And fried potatoes with a stewed hare are better, she added after a pause. 'Is there a hare, then? Oh, Berbel, you dear old thing, how could you frighten me in that way! Where did you get it? We have not had one for ever so long! 'Wastei, answered Berbel.
Sigmundskron had been very desolate and lonely during the last two days, since Hilda's mother had ridden away through the bitter night to do her duty in the house of death. Of course both Hilda and the faithful Berbel had their occupations as usual, and talked over them when they were together, but the time had passed slowly and heavily.
Well, well, those times are gone now, and if I ever shot a hare or a roebuck without lead, or pulled the trout out of the stream without making a hole in his nose, why I have forgotten it, and I will not do it again, I promise you. I am growing old, Frau Berbel, I am growing old. 'And wise, I hope 'When a man is young he can do without a gun license, observed Wastei.
It was evident that nothing would be done on that day, and it was probable that Greif would stay at home. Berbel turned away and went towards the entrance of the hall. She was about to go in when she heard footsteps behind her, and on looking round saw Wastei striding up with his long, greyhound step. 'God greet you, Frau Berbel, he said, coming nearer.
Word Of The Day