"And this is my silent Gethsemane!" The moon had sunk behind the hills, and the cool morning breeze came floating along. Bertram was about to close the window when he heard from afar a short, sharp sound, soon succeeded by other similar sounds, succeeding each other so swiftly that the echo could clearly continue the scattered noises and reverberate them as thunder. And now shrill, long-drawn trumpet-blasts were heard, mingling with the beat of the drum. Bertram quickly turned to the sleeper, who was not, for his sake, to neglect his military duties. But already Kurt had staggered up from his sofa-corner, his eyes wide open, though still veiled by slumber, and his arms stretched out, clutching the air, as though in search of some weapon. "I--I--not you! I will fight him! Give me the pistol!" Bertram touched his shoulder. "They are sounding the assembly in the village!" "Oh! I thought ..." He brushed his hand across his eyes. "I have been asleep! Pardon me. How good you are! You have been watching for me. Is it long since ...?" and he pointed to the window. "Not half a minute." "Then I am in good time!" He had already fastened his sword, and seized his helmet. "Excuse my hurry. You know ..." "No excuses! A matter of course. _Au revoir_." He held out his hand to the young man, in whose fine features, now full of life again, he noticed a strange quiver. Kurt evidently wanted to say something, and could not hit upon the right word. So he only pressed Bertram's hand vigorously. "Well, _au revoir!_" He hurried away. Bertram stood gazing at the door through which the slender young figure had vanished. "Heaven be thanked! It is at least no disgrace to yield to him. He is thoroughly sound and sweet,--mind and body alike!" XXIII. In the mansion-house which had until now been hushed in slumber, many voices were heard shouting, and the tramp of horses came echoing from the court-yard. A smart, heavy step was heard below in the passage. "Which door?" "The second, Colonel. Allow me, Colonel." But Bertram had already opened the door, and Colonel von Waldor came rushing in. "Good evening, friend, or rather good morning. A good thing that I met your servant at once--otherwise I might have been hunting for you ever so long--I have only one minute to spare--where is Ringberg? Your servant said he was here." "He left five minutes ago, when they were sounding the assembly." "That came unexpectedly, eh?" cried the Colonel. "An hour before the time--I did it on my own responsibility. His Excellency will be furious--wait for the attack, forsooth!--in such an exposed situation--not if I know it!--we shall have to retreat ultimately as it is--so I'll give them some trouble first. But that does not concern you. Here is something that does, a little, and which will greatly please you. Read this!"