; no trace of
farm implements or human labor to be seen. "Which is the inspector's
house," inquired Anton, in dismay. The driver looked round, and at last
made up his mind that it was a small one-storied building, with straw
thatch and dirty windows.

At the noise of the wheels a man appeared on the threshold, and waited
phlegmatically till the travelers had dismounted, and were standing
close before him. He was a broad-shouldered fellow, with a bloated,
brandy-drinking face, dressed in a jacket of shaggy cloth, while behind
him peered the muzzle of an equally shaggy dog, who snarled at the
strangers. "Are you the steward of this property?"

"I am," replied the man, in broken German, without stirring from where
he was.

"And I am the agent of the new proprietor," said Anton.

"That does not concern me," growled the shaggy man, turning sharp round,
entering the house, and bolting the door within.

Anton was thoroughly roused. "Break the window in, and help me to catch
the rascal," cried he to Karl, who coolly seized a piece of wood, struck
the panes so as to make the rotten framework give way, and cleared the
opening at one leap. Anton followed him. The room was empty, so was the
next, and in it an open window--the man was gone.

"After him!" cried Karl, and dashed on in pursuit, while Anton looked
about the house and out-buildings. He soon heard the barking of a dog,
and saw Karl capture the fugitive. Hurrying to his help, he held the man
fast, while, with a kick, Karl sent the dog flying. They then contrived
to force the steward back to the house, though he kept striking out
violently all the way.

"Go to the tavern, and bring the gendarme and the landlord," cried Anton
to the driver, who, undisturbed by all that had been going on, had
meanwhile unpacked the carriage. The man accordingly drove leisurely
off, and the fugitive being got into the room, Karl found an old cloth,
and with it bound his hands behind his back. "I beg your pardon, sir,"
said he; "it is only for an hour or so, till the arrival of the Rosmin
gendarme, whom we have appointed to meet us."

Anton then proceeded to examine the house, but there was nothing to be
found but the merest necessaries; no books nor papers of any kind. It
had doubtless been emptied already. A bundle projected from the
coat-pocket of the prisoner, which turned out to be receipts and legal
documents in Polish. In time, the driver returned with the landlord and
the arme