d how the duel between Wolff Eysvogel and Ulrich Vorchtel
had ended, but while she still clasped her hands in horror, the Swiss
had opened the door of a bright, spacious apartment, where Els Ortlieb's
betrothed husband received her with a kind though sorrowful greeting.
Then he continued his writing, and at last gave her two letters. One, on
whose back he drew a little heart, that she might not mistake it for
the other, was addressed to his betrothed bride; the second to Heinz
Schorlin, whom Wolff--no, her ears did not deceive her--called the
future husband of his sister-in-law Eva. At breakfast, which she shared
with her country people and their little daughter, Katterle would
have liked to learn how Wolff reached the fortress, but the gatekeeper
maintained absolute silence on this subject.

The maid at last, without hindrance, reached the Deichsler house and
found Biberli (not) at home. She ought to have returned to the Ortliebs
in his company long before, but the knight still vainly awaited his
servant's appearance. He missed him sorely, since it did not enter his
head that his faithful shadow, Biberli, knew nothing of the thunderbolt
which had almost robbed him of his master and killed his pet, the dun
horse. Besides, he was anxious about his fate and curious to learn how
he had found the Ortlieb sisters; for, though Eva alone had power to
make Heinz Schorlin's heart beat faster, the misfortune of poor Els
affected him more deeply as the thought that he was its cause grew more
and more painful.

Wolff's letter, which Katterle delivered to him, revealed young
Eysvogel's steadfast love for the hapless girl. In it he also alluded to
his nocturnal interview with Heinz, and in cordial words admitted that
he thought he had found in him a sincere friend, to whom, if to any one,
he would not grudge his fair young sister-in-law Eva. Then he described
how the unfortunate duel had occurred.

After mentioning what had excited young Ulrich Vorchtel's animosity,
he related that, soon after his interview with Heinz, he had met young
Vorchtel, accompanied by several friends. Ulrich had barred his way,
loading him with invectives so fierce and so offensive to his honour,
that he was obliged to accept the challenge. As he wore no weapon save
the dagger in his belt, he used the sword which a German knight among
Ulrich's companions offered him. Calm in the consciousness that he had
given his former friend's sister no reason to believ