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Updated: June 19, 2025
Gretchen sadly viewed her wooden shoes and roughened hands. "Never mind your hands and feet; your face will open any gate or door for you." "I have never been to the palace. Will they not laugh and turn me out?" "If they try that, demand to see his excellency, Count von Herbeck, and say that you came from forty Krumerweg." Gretchen shuddered with a mixture of apprehension and delight.
"By my orders, father," said Hildegarde, who gathered that this privileged visitor must be Gretchen of the Krumerweg. "Admit her." "Truly we are becoming socialists," said the duke, appealing to Herbeck, who replied with his usual grim smile. Gretchen was ushered in. Her throat was a little full as she recognized the three most important persons in the grand duchy. Outwardly she was composed.
"Wretch that I am! Damnable wretch! Krumerweg, Krumerweg! Crooked way, indeed!" He flung down his arm passionately. "There will be a God up yonder," looking at the stars. "He will see into my heart and know that it is not bad, only young. Oh, Gretchen!" "Gretchen?" The carter stepped into a shadow and waited. Carmichael did not enjoy the opera that night.
"Very well," acquiesced Gretchen, somewhat disappointed. She wanted to see all there was to be seen. "It is half-after ten," he added, as if to put forward some logical excuse for leaving at this moment. A man followed them all the way to the Krumerweg. Carmichael threw himself eagerly into the gaiety of the dance. Never had he seen the ball-room so brilliant with color.
I must be going," she added to Fräu Bauer. "May I walk along with you?" asked Hans. "If you wish," diffidently. So Grumbach walked with her to the Krumerweg, and he asked her many questions, and some of her answers surprised him. "Never knew father or mother?" "No, Herr. I am only a foundling who fell into kind hands. This is where I live." "And if I should ask to come in?"
To-night there was love in the duke's eyes as he looked down the table's length; there was love in the old chancellor's eyes, too; and in Carmichael's. And there was love in her eyes as she gazed back at the two old men. But who could read her eyes whenever they roved in Carmichael's direction? Not even Gretchen's grandmother, who lived in the Krumerweg.
He choked, for he was furious. To be trussed like this, without any explanation whatever! What the devil was going on? Unanswered. The carriage began to move slowly. It had to; swift driving in the Krumerweg was hardly possible and at no time safe. Carmichael set himself to note the turns of the street.
"If Herr Carmichael would learn the secret of number forty Krumerweg, let him attire himself as a vintner and be in the Krumerweg at eight o'clock to-night." This note was as welcome to the recipient as the flowers in the spring. An adventure? He was ready, now and always. Anything to take his mind off his own dismal affairs.
"Oh, that will be easy," affirmed the concierge, "if your excellency does not mind wearing clothes that have already been worn." "My excellency will not care a hang. Procure them as soon as you can." So it came about that Carmichael, dressed as a vintner, his hat over his eyes, stole into the misty night and took the way to the Krumerweg. He knew exactly where he wished to go: number forty.
"And, Highness," added Grumbach, "despatch some one for Gretchen, who lives at number forty the Krumerweg." "The goose-girl? What does she know? Ah, I remember. She is even now with her highness. I shall send for them both." Gretchen? Carmichael's bewilderment increased. What place had the goose-girl in this tragedy?
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