hunter, who has climbed
time and again to the mountain's summit, and shot, and killed too, where
he had scarcely room to plant his foot. It is only here that I am so
anxious and discouraged--I would the day were well over."

"We were only in fun," said Eugen good naturedly. "Of course you're not
afraid of a shot, one only has to look at you to know that. But don't
come to us with your presentiments and misgivings; after men have stood
under a shower of bullets they don't heed croakings. When we're all home
again I am going to visit my sister at Ostwalden and we'll be good
neighbors, you and I. The prince is very fond of his hunting castle at
Rodeck, is he not? But you can banish your gloomy thoughts, for here he
comes."

There was a quick step without on the stair; the old man gave a relieved
sigh, but when the door opened it was only Eugen's man who appeared.

"Isn't his highness coming?" asked Walldorf; but Stadinger gave the man
no time to answer. He had glanced at his face, only a glance, then he
started forward and seized his hand half-frantically.

"What is it? Where--where is my master?"

The man shook his head sadly and pointed to the window; the two officers
hastened to it, but Stadinger lost no time in looking; he rushed out of
the door and down the steps and across the little yard, and sank down
with a piercing cry beside a litter which two soldiers were carrying,
and upon which a tall, youthful form was stretched.

"Silence!" said the surgeon, who accompanied the sad little procession.
"Control yourself, the prince is badly wounded."

"I see that," said the old man, huskily. "But his wound is not mortal?
Tell me it's not mortal!"

He glanced up at the physician with a look of such despair, that the
latter had not the heart to tell him the truth. He turned to the two
officers who had followed Stadinger, and answered their questions
instead.

"A bullet in the breast," he said in a whisper. "The prince desired to
be brought to his own quarters, and we have been as careful as we could,
but the end is nearer than I thought."

"No hope then?" asked Walldorf.

"Not the slightest."

The men were already lifting their burden to carry him into the house,
when the physician motioned them to put him down.

"Wait! The prince wants to speak to his old servant, I think. A few
minutes here or there doesn't matter now."

Stadinger saw and heard nothing of what was going on around him, he saw
only his master