There followed a violent fall upon the pavement, and a wild huzza shouted by many voices. Then all was still as death. "They have murdered him!" shrieked the maiden. "They have murdered my brother!" She burst into the room in which the officers sat, and threw herself at the feet of the first she saw. "Save, save! Oh, for heaven's love, save my brother!" "My little girl," quoth Lieutenant Martini in a tone of quiet jocularity, "it strikes me you are not at all wanted here." Just then the loud and cheerful notes of a post-horn resounded in front of the house, and a carriage stopped at the door. "A carriage at this late hour! Quite a day of adventures, I declare!" yawned Count Engelhart. The house door was heard to open. A few seconds later, that of the public room was thrown wide, and a lady in an elegant travelling-dress was ushered in by the host. She was tall, rather full than slender in person, and apparently about five-and-twenty. Her complexion was fresh, her eyes were lively. Her air and bearing were those of the first society. On her entrance Prince Amberg sprang from his seat in astonishment. "Frau von Horberg! Your ladyship, what an unhoped-for pleasure!" "You here, Prince!--how unexpected a meeting!" Anna Hammer rose to her feet. The thought of a last possible chance of succour and mercy flashed through her soul when she saw that the stranger was acquainted with the prince. Throwing herself before her, she clasped her knees. "Oh, most gracious lady," implored she, "have compassion on my poor brother: say one word for him to the gentleman, that he may free him from the soldiers' hands." "Will the little toad be gone!" exclaimed Prince Amberg, stepping forward. Then, turning to the lady--"A harp-player, an impudent stroller, who has been making a disturbance here with her brother." "Ah, fie!" cried the lady, and pushed the young girl from her with a sort of loathing--not with her hand, but with her foot. Anna Hammer stood up. Feelings of inexpressible grief and bitterness crowded upon her young heart. At that moment she felt herself no longer a child. One hour's events had converted her into a woman. She cast a glance of scorn at the lady, at the officer. Then she silently left the room. She crossed the empty entrance hall, and passed through the open door into the street. Here all was still; not a living creature was to be seen. An icy wind blew. She sought around. A moonbeam, forcing its way through the scudding clouds, revealed to her a dark form lying along the side of the street. She approached this object. It was her brother; he was covered with blood, and did not stir. She threw herself upon his body. He still breathed. Poor, unhappy sister! At that moment an officer rode up. He drew bridle at the tavern door, dismounted, gave his horse to the orderly who followed him, and entered the house.