s destination. The reply was, "Yes."
The clicking of the telegraph-lever thrilled him; he felt the same
blows in his throbbing temples. He requested the operator to remain
there during the night, as one could not tell but that a message might
be sent to him, or he might want to send one.

But the operator refused, although a large sum of money was offered
him; he was not allowed to change the arrangements without orders from
his superiors. He ordered his assistant to stay there as long as he
himself remained; he closed the door with a bang, and went off. He was
evidently afraid of Sonnenkamp.

Sonnenkamp was again alone. Then he heard the stroke of oars on the
river.

"Is it you, Herr Major?" he cried out into the starlight night.

"Yes."

"Have you found him?"

"No."

The Major got out of the boat; there was no trace of Roland in the
town. An answer could not be received from the convent before early the
next morning. Now the thought presented itself, that perhaps Roland was
with Count Wolfsgarten. A messenger was sent thither, and they returned
to the villa.

When Sonnenkamp extended his hand to the Major to help him into the
carriage the latter said,--

"Your hand is so cold to-day."

It shot through Sonnenkamp's brain, like an arrow, that he had wanted
to punish the boy to-day. If the boy, with this thought in his mind,
had drowned himself in the waters of the Rhine!

The ring on his thumb burned into his flesh, as if it were red-hot.

Joseph met them on their way back to the villa.

"Is he there?" cried the Major. Sonnenkamp could not himself ask the
question.

"No; but the gracious lady has got hold of it."

In the village through which they drove, people were still standing
together in groups, and chatting in the mild spring-night. They met the
priest, and Sonnenkamp requested him to accompany them to the villa.

When they arrived at the court of the villa, Sonnenkamp remained
sitting in the carriage, as if he had lost himself, and did not get out
until he was spoken to. He gained strength and self-possession after
his feet touched the ground.

Lights flitted to and fro, and shone through the lofty windows of the
house. Now a shriek was heard, and he hurried in. In the great saloon,
Frau Ceres, in her night-dress, was kneeling before a chair, her face
hidden in the cushion. The priest stood by her side, Fraeulein Perini
was pouring an effervescent powder into a glass. Sonnenkamp went
quick