and approaching them; and now, as the lamplight fell upon this
form, the soldiers recognized it very well--it was the Stadtholder in the
Mark himself who stood before them, and behind him they saw his
Chamberlain von Lehndorf and the police-master Brandt.

"Which of you has seen the White Lady?" asked Count Schwarzenberg once
more.

"I, gracious sir," stammered one of the three with difficulty. "I was
stationed before the Electoral Prince's rooms, and I saw the White Lady
enter through the little door between the two presses."

"And whither went she?"

"That I did not see, your excellency, for--"

"For you ran away directly," concluded Count Schwarzenberg for him. "And
you two others! You stood in the great corridor; did you see the
apparition, too?"

"No, your excellency, we did not see her. She did not come through the
great corridor."

"You did not see her. Why did you run away then?"

"Your excellency, we ran away because--because--we do not know ourselves."

"Well, I know," cried the count, shrugging his shoulders. "You ran away
because you are cowards! Hush! No excuses now! We shall talk about it
early to-morrow morning. Stay here in the guardroom. I myself will go up
and see what folly has frightened you hares. Lehndorf and Brandt, both of
you stay here and await my return."

"But, most gracious sir," implored the chamberlain, "I beg your permission
to accompany you. Nobody can know--"

"Whether the White Lady may not stab and throttle me, would you say? No,
Lehndorf, I fear no woman's shape, be she clothed in white or black. I am
well armed, and methinks the White Lady will find her match in me. All of
you stay here; but if I should not return in an hour, then you may mount
the stairs and see whether the White Lady has borne me off through the
air.--Which of you," he said, turning to the soldiers--"which of you stood
guard before the princely apartments?"

"It was I, your excellency."

"Whence came the White Lady?"

"She came through the little door between the two presses in the
vestibule."

"It is well! You will all stay here. And, as I said, Lehndorf, if I return
not in an hour, then come."

He nodded kindly to the chamberlain and strode out of the room.

Meanwhile above, in the Electoral Prince's chamber, the White Lady had
been expected with glowing impatience. Dietrich had already stood for a
quarter of an hour at the antechamber door, waiting with palpitating heart
for her appearanc