During the night I had several times gone to the spring for water, and when I brought it he was always very grateful. Indeed, towards daybreak he grew much quieter, so that I indulged the hope that after all we should soon be able to get away. At last, overcome by exhaustion, I fell asleep, and must have slept some time, for the dawn was already glimmering when I was awakened by the touch of a hand on my shoulder. Herr von Zehren stood before me; I looked at him with horror. Now I saw what he had suffered in that fearful night. His healthy bronzed face was of a clayey pallor, his large brilliant eyes were dull and deeply sunk in their sockets, his beard dishevelled, his lips white, and his clothes torn and covered with dirt and blood. It was no longer the man that I had known, but more like a spectre. A faint smile played about his pale lips, and there was a touch of the old vivacity in the tone of his voice, as he said: "I am sorry to have to awaken you, my poor boy, but it is high time." I sprang to my feet and put on my coat, which he had carefully laid over my shoulders. "That is, it is high time for you," he added. "How so?" I asked, in alarm. "I should not get far," he replied, with a sad smile; "I just now made a little trial; but it is impossible." And he seated himself on a projecting piece of the wall, and leaned his head upon his hand. "Then I also stay," I said. "They will soon follow us up here." "So much the more reason for my remaining." He raised his head. "You are a generous fool," he said, with a melancholy smile; "one of those that remain anvils all their life long. What advantage in the world could it be to me, that they caught you with me here? And why should you give up, and let yourself be caught? Are you brought down to nothing, and less than nothing? Are you an old wounded fox, burnt out of his den and with the hounds on his track? Go, and do not make me entreat you any more, for it hurts me to talk. Good-by!" He reached me an ice-cold, trembling hand, which I pressed with tears in my eyes, and said: "How can you ask it of me? I were the vilest wretch alive to leave you thus. Happen what may, I remain." "It is my will that you leave me--I command you." "You cannot--you must yourself feel that you cannot. You cannot command me to cover myself with disgrace."