f that it is but a young boy, my apprentice. Why, the
governor himself left scarce an hour ago, and was in the apartment with
me while I was at work. Had it not been all right he would have hauled
me to the prison quickly enough."

As the sentry knew that the governor had left but a short time before
he came on guard this convinced him, and, standing aside, he allowed
Malcolm and his companion to pass. Malcolm made his way first to the
apartment he had occupied, where he had already settled for his lodging.

Leaving Thekla below he ran upstairs, and hastily donned the suit of
peasant's clothes, and then making the others into a bundle descended
again, and with Thekla made his way to the quiet spot outside the city
gates where the wagon was standing ready for a start. He had already
paid the peasant half the sum agreed, and now handed him the remainder.

"I should scarce have known you," the peasant said, examining Malcolm by
the light of his pinewood torch. "Why, you look like one of us instead
of a city craftsman."

"I am going to astonish them when I get home," Malcolm said, "and shall
make the old folks a present of the wagon. So I am going to arrive just
as I was when I left them."

The peasant asked no farther questions, but, handing the torch to
Malcolm, and telling him that he would find half a dozen more in the
wagon, he took his way back to the town, where he intended to sleep in
the stables and to start at daybreak for his home.

He thought that the transaction was a curious one; but, as he had
been paid handsomely for his wagon, he troubled not his head about any
mystery there might be in the matter. As soon as he had gone Malcolm
arranged the straw in the bottom of the wagon so as to form a bed; but
Thekla said that for the present she would rather walk with him.

"It is weeks since I have been out, and I shall enjoy walking for a
time; besides, it is all so strange that I should have no chance to
sleep were I to lie down."

Malcolm at once consented, and taking his place at the head of the oxen,
he started them, walking ahead to light the way and leading them by
cords passed through their nostrils. He had not the least fear of
pursuit for the present, for it had been arranged that the countess
should inform their attendant that Thekla was feeling unwell, and had
retired to bed, and the woman, whatever she might suspect, would
take care not to verify the statement, and it would be well on in the
fol