"I don't believe there is another pure soul like hers in the world. Why, she finds something pure hidden even in a man like Landolin. Our Madame Pfann is a woman such as they had in the time of the Apostles." "Bravo!" cried the doctor, "I have seen a rare wonder: one woman unreservedly praising another." "Yes; who can know the judge's wife and not praise her? But she seeks neither praise nor thanks from anybody." "She needs none. He to whom nature has given the blessing of such a good heart is the possessor of all human good." The telegraph messenger came into the garden, and handed the physician a dispatch. "I've got it now," cried the physician, when he had read it. "When does the next express train leave?" "In seven minutes." The physician explained to her that the defendant had called for his oral opinion. He left word for his wife that he was called away, and hastened to the station, where he met Thoma, just coming in. "Are you going too?" asked he. "No; I just want to send word to my brother to telegraph me the decision as soon as it is announced." "I will attend to that for you." The train sped away. Thoma asked the telegraph messenger, who was a brother of the "Galloping Cooper," to wait all night and bring her the dispatch as soon as received. Thoma walked homeward. From the hill she could see the train in the distance. It sped by hamlets and villages, through newly-mown meadows, past fields where potatoes were being gathered in little heaps. The passengers talked together about the flood which had done such great damage in Switzerland; of the political questions of the day; of the conflict with Rome. The physician heard it all as in a dream. It troubled him that he had after all to testify in Landolin's case. How could the defence hope for any advantage from his testimony? The train stopped at the county-town. One of the court officers was waiting for him with a carriage, and took him to the court-house. The air within was damp and sultry. CHAPTER XXVII. Long before day the bell from Landolin's prison cell rang violently. The keeper heard it, but did not hurry in the least. "You can wait," he said to himself, and dressed leisurely. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man, of dignified and imposing appearance. He had been appointed to his excellent position as a reward for bravery in the war, and felt that he carried in his own person the whole dignity of the court. He was gruff, but could, when he chose, be polite and condescending; and he had a reason for being polite to Landolin. Softening his powerful voice as much as he could, he asked what Landolin wanted so early. It was scarcely day. Landolin gave him a bewildered look; then he said, "I heard the early train whistle. The people from my village have come in it. Go to the Ritter inn and bring my head-servant, Tobias, here. It shall not be to your disadvantage."