Now
when I enquired of the housekeeper what might be the end and reason for
this visit, the woman hid beneath her apron a jar of honey which the old
dame had given her as a sweetmeat for the children; and she gave me to
understand that the worthy lady had come forth to the forest to collect
her widow's dues of honey, and had tarried on her way for a little
friendly discourse. But methought that "little" must have had some
strange meaning, inasmuch as the housewife's withered cheeks were of the
color of a robin's breast. Hereupon I threatened her with my finger, and
enquired of her whether she had not betrayed more to the evil-tongued
old woman than she ought, but she eagerly denied the charge.

My ride home to the town after noon was not altogether a pleasant one,
by reason that icy rain poured from heaven in streams, mingled with
snow. The further we went the worse the roads were, and yet when my
companions turned at the city-gate to ride homewards again, a strange,
fierce confidence came upon me. Whether it were that the wet which ran
off from me and my stout horse had singularly refreshed me, or whether
it was the steadfast purpose I had set as I rode along, to risk my all
to the end that I might redeem my brethren, I know not. But to this hour
I mind me that, as I rode in through the dark streets, my heart beat
high with contentment, and that had I been such another man as Herdegen
I might have been ready enough to pick a quarrel with the first who
should have said me nay.

Thus I fared on past my grand-uncle's house; there I beheld from afar a
lighted lantern, as it were a glow-worm at midsummer, moving along
the street, and when I perceived that it was none other than old
Henneleinlein who carried it, I put my horse, which till now had been
wading through the mire step by step, to a swift gallop, as fast as he
might go, and the servingman behind me, passing close by her. And what
simple glee was mine when our horses splashed the old woman from head
to foot, inasmuch as I wist for certain that she could have stolen to my
grand-uncle's house at that late hour to no end but to reveal whatsoever
she might have picked up from her friend and gossip at the forest-lodge.

Thus I reached home in better cheer than I had hoped; and when Susan
told me that Cousin Maud was in the kitchen ordering the supper, I crept
up-stairs, hastily changed my wet raiment, sent forth my man to tell
Ann that she was to come to me, and then,