thought, as had often happened already, that
one wished to lead me privately to some sick person. Accordingly I
resolved to go; nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, I put on
the sabre which my father had given me. As it was fast approaching
midnight, I set out upon my way, and soon arrived at the Ponte
Vecchio; I found the bridge forsaken and desolate, and resolved to
wait until it should appear who had addressed me.

It was a cold night; the moon shone clear as I looked down upon the
waters of the Arno, which sparkled in her light. On the church of the
city the twelfth hour was sounding, when I looked up, and before me
stood a tall man, entirely covered with a red cloak, a corner of which
he held before his face. At this sudden apparition I was at first
somewhat startled, but I soon recovered myself and said--

"If you have summoned me hither, tell me, what is your pleasure?"

The Red-mantle turned, and solemnly ejaculated, "Follow!"

My mind was nevertheless somewhat uneasy at the idea of going alone
with this Unknown; I stood still and said, "Not so, dear sir; you will
first tell me whither; moreover, you may show me your face a little,
that I may see whether you have good intentions towards me."

The Stranger, however, appeared not to be concerned thereat. "If thou
wishest it not, Zaleukos, then remain!" answered he, moving away. At
this my anger burned.

"Think you," I cried, "that I will suffer a man to play the fool with
me, and wait here this cold night for nothing?" In three bounds I
reached him; crying still louder, I seized him by the cloak, laying
the other hand upon my sabre; but the mantle remained in my hand, and
the Unknown vanished around the nearest corner. My anger gradually
cooled; I still had the cloak, and this should furnish the key to this
strange adventure. I put it on, and moved towards home. Before I had
taken a hundred steps, somebody passed very near, and whispered in the
French tongue, "Observe, Count, to-night, we can do nothing." Before I
could look around, this somebody had passed, and I saw only a shadow
hovering near the houses. That this exclamation was addressed to the
mantle, and not to me, I plainly perceived; nevertheless, this threw
no light upon the matter. Next morning I considered what was best to
be done. At first I thought of having proclamation made respecting
the cloak, that I had found it; but in that case the Unknown could
send for it by a third person, and I