n his fever might give us some important
tidings, and when at midnight my aunt bid us go to bed, Ann declared it
to be her purpose to keep watch by Eppelein all night, and I would not
for the world have quitted her at such a moment. And whereas she well
knew Master Ulsenius, and had already lent a helping hand of her own
free will to old Uhlwurm, the tending the sick man was wholly given over
to her; and I sat me down by the fire, gazing sometimes at the leaping
flames and flying sparks, and sometimes at the sick-bed and at all Ann
was doing. Then I waxed sleepy, and the hours flew past while I sat wide
awake, or dreaming as I slept for a few minutes. Then it was morning
again, and there was somewhat before my eyes whereof I knew not whether
it were happening in very truth, or whether it were still a dream,
yet meseemed it was so pleasant that I was still smiling when the
house-keeper came in, and that chased sleep away. I thought I had seen
Ann lead ugly old Uhlwurm to the window, and stroke down his rough
cheeks with her soft small hand. This being all unlike her wonted timid
modesty, it amused me all the more, and the old man's demeanor likewise
had made me smile; he was surly, and notwithstanding courteous to her
and had said to her I know not what. Now, when I was wide-awake, Ann had
indeed departed, and the house-wife had seen her quit the house and walk
towards the stables, following old Uhlwurm.

Hereupon a strange unrest fell upon me, and when Kubbeling presently
answered to my questioning that old Uhlwurm had craved leave to be
absent till noon, to the end that he might go to the very spot where
they had found Eppelein, and make search for that letter which he
doubtless had had on his person, I plainly saw wherefor Ann had beguiled
the old man.

CHAPTER X.

"The old owl! I will give him somewhat to remember me by till some one
else can say 'Gone' over him!" This was what my Uncle Christian growled
a little later, out near the stables, where Matthew was putting the
bridle on my bay nag, while the other serving-men were saddling the
horses for the gentlemen. I had stolen hither, knowing full well that
the old folks would not have suffered me to ride forth after Ann, and
my good godfather even now ceased not from railing, in his fears for his
darling. "What else did we talk of yestereve, Master leech and I, all
the way we rode with the misguided maid, but of the wicked deeds done in
these last few weeks