The servant shook his head. "I did not see the star. I was only in the room a moment to receive the Herr Count's order about the carriage." Steinrück looked in extreme astonishment at the empty case. "Have you not been in the room since?" "No, Herr Count." "Has no one else been here?" "The forester's son was here when I left the room, and, I think, was here alone for some time." There was suspicion more than hinted at in these words, but the Count shook his head decidedly. "Nonsense! that's impossible. Has no one else been here? Bethink yourself." "No, Herr Count; no one has even been in the corridor." "But the bedroom on that side,--it is a thoroughfare." "Only from the sleeping apartment of the Frau Countess by the tapestried door." Steinrück turned pale, and involuntarily he clinched his hand, but he still combated the dawning suspicion. "Look for it," he said. "The star must be found; perhaps I mislaid it among the books and papers." And without waiting for the man's assistance he began to look for the jewel himself. He knew perfectly well that he had laid the star in the case, which he had left open; nevertheless, he lifted every book and paper, and searched every drawer, but to no purpose the thing was not to be found. "It is not here," the servant said at last, in a low tone. "If it was lying here in the open case, there is but one explanation." Steinrück made no reply. He himself doubted no longer. "A thief, then! A common thief!" The measure of his contempt and aversion was filled to the brim. There was silence for a few minutes; the servant stood waiting for orders, startled by the expression on his master's face. "Is Wolfram still in the castle?" the Count asked at last. "I think he is. He wanted to see the major-domo." "Then send his son to me! But not a word of what has happened!--not even to the forester; send the boy here." The man left the room, and for a moment Steinrück covered his eyes with his hand. This was terrible! And yet was it unnatural in the son of such a father? The lad's whole appearance showed that he had inherited not a drop of his mother's blood, and that other that filled his veins, did it not proclaim itself what it was, and was it not a duty to disclaim it and thrust it forth? Away with it! The Count stood erect, resolute as ever, when Michael entered, unwillingly to be sure, but with no idea of what this new summons betokened. "Close the door," said Steinrück, "and come here!" This time no second command was necessary: Michael obeyed without hesitation. He stood before the Count, who, looking him directly in the eye, held out to him the empty case. "Do you know what this is?" he asked, with apparent composure. The young man shook his head; he did not comprehend the strange question. "It was lying here on the writing-table," Steinrück continued, "but it was not empty as it is now. It contained a star of sparkling stones. Did you not see it?"