I received full information in Sassnitz, and started
at once. This horned cattle of a coachman, however, will drive me no
farther. I therefore appeal to thee to take me on in thy carriage.'

'What, never to-night?'

'To-night? Certainly to-night. Who knows where she will go to-morrow?'

'But Arkona is miles away--we should never get there--it would kill the
horses'----

'Tut, tut, tut,' was all the answer I got, ejected with a terrific
impatience; and much accompanying clinking of money made it evident that
the person described as horned cattle was being paid.

I turned and stared at Gertrud, who had been arrested by this
conversation in the act of arranging my bed, with a stare of horror.
Then in a flash I saw which was the one safe place, and I flung myself
all dressed into the bed. 'Go down, Gertrud,' I said, pulling the
bedclothes up to my chin, 'and say what you like to the Professor. Tell
him I am in bed and nothing will get me out of it. Tell him I'll drive
him to-morrow to any place on earth. Yes--tell him that. Tell him I
promise, I promise faithfully, to see him through. Go on, and lock me
in.' For I heard a great clamour on the stairs, and who knows what an
agitated wise man may not do, and afterwards pretend he was in an
abstraction?

But I had definitely pledged myself to a course of active meddling.

THE NINTH DAY

FROM GLOWE TO WIEK

The landlord was concerned, Gertrud told me, when he heard we were going
to drive to Arkona at an hour in the morning known practically only to
birds. Professor Nieberlein, after fuming long and audibly in the
passage downstairs, had sent her up with a request, made in his hearing,
that the carriage might be at the door for that purpose at four o'clock.

'At that hour there is no door,' said the landlord.

'Tut, tut,' said the Professor.

The landlord raised his hands and described the length and sandiness of
the way.

'Three o'clock, then,' was all the Professor said to that, calling after
Gertrud.

'Oh, oh!' was my eloquent exclamation when she came in and told me; and
I pulled the bedclothes up still higher, as though seeking protection in
them from the blows of Fate.

'It is possible August may oversleep himself,' suggested Gertrud, seeing
my speechless objection to starting for anywhere at three o'clock.

'So it is; I think it very likely,' I said, emerging from the bedclothes
to speak earnestly. 'Till six o'clock, I should think he would sle