e ragged man."

"I 'll go after him at once," said I, aloud. "I 'll have more talk
with him. I 'm much mistaken if there's not good stuff in that rugged
nature."

When I entered the little inn, I found Vaterehen fast asleep; he had
finished off every flask on the table, and lay breathing stertorously,
and giving a long-drawn whistle in his snore, that smacked almost of
apoplexy. Tintefleck was singing to her guitar before a select audience
of the inn servants, and Harpar was gone!

I gave the girl a glance of rebuke and displeasure. I aroused the old
man with a kick, and imperiously demanded my bill.

"The bill has been paid by the other stranger," said the landlord; "he
has settled everything, and left a _trinkgeld_ for the servants, so that
you have nothing to pay."

I could have almost cried with spite as I heard these words. It would
have been a rare solace to my feelings if I could have put that man down
for a rogue, and then been able to say to myself, how cleverly I had
escaped the snares of a swindler. But to know now that he was not
only honest but liberal, and to think, besides, that I had been his
guest,--eaten of his salt,--it was more than I well could endure.

"Which way did he take?" asked I.

"Round the head of the lake for Lindao. I told him that the steamer
would take him there to-morrow for a trifle, but he would not wait."

"Ah me!" sighed Vaterchen, but half awake, and with one eye still
closed, "and we are going to St. Gallen."

"Who said so?" cried I, imperiously. "We are going to Lindao; at least,
if I be the person who gives orders here. Follow!" And as I spoke I
marched proudly on, while a slip-shod, shuffling noise of feet, and a
low, half-smothered sob told me that they were coming after me.

CHAPTER XXXIV. A SUMPTUOUS DINNER AND AN EMPTY POCKET

Mr poor companions had but a sorry time of it on that morning. I was in
a fearful temper, and made no effort to control it. The little romance
of my meeting with these creatures was beginning to scale off, and,
there beneath, lay the vulgar metal of their natures exposed to view.
As for old Vaterchen, shuffling along in his tattered shoes, half-stupid
with wine and shame together, I could n't bear to look at him; while
Tintefleck, although at the outset abashed by my rebukeful tone and
cold manner, had now rallied, and seemed well disposed to assert her
own against all comers. Yes, there' was a palpable air of defiance about
her, e