"I thought as much!" muttered Goebel to himself; then aloud to his friend, "So that is where you are going is it? Ah, then I will save you the trouble. Being a matter of no importance, you need not be in a hurry. Listen to me; my master has lost certain valuables, and has given orders for the gates of the town to be closed until he has discovered the thief, and has strictly commanded me to arrest any person I might find leaving the town, until his valuables shall have been recovered. I should be sorry to suspect you, but as the law respects the person of no man, it is my painful duty to take you back to the town. Let us have no more cackling or resistance, but come at once." "But, my dear friend Goebel!" pleaded the veteran, "you surely can't suspect--you will not for one moment imagine--nay, if you have any doubt of my honesty search me. I can assure it will be useless, I am innocent." "If you are innocent, you will be proved so in due time, meanwhile I have orders----" "But, friend Goebel, I assure you again and again upon my oath that I have taken nothing. There--look--search me all over, if you will, and let me go in peace. Is not my character enough? Am I not well known in ----dorf? Have I ever been known to touch my neighbour's goods? Pray satisfy yourself that I have taken nothing, and let me go. Why trouble yourself to bring back a man to the town to be searched whom you know to be innocent. Besides, it will upset my plan. I wouldn't miss my little gossip with young Leo for all the world just at this moment. Just consider, my friend----" "Cease your cackling and come along with me!" shouted Goebel, seizing him by the collar and dragging him forcibly back towards the town. "But--but----" stammered the astonished and terrified old man. "But me no buts, but do my bidding instantly, Sir Driveller, or it will be the worse for you." So saying, he dragged his old friend home again at a hurried pace, regardless of his tottering limbs and of his prayers and entreaties. It was just mid day, and the sun shone hot, when Goebel returned to the township, perspiring at every pore, and deposited his charge, more dead than alive, within the walls of ----dorf. He then retraced his steps under the broiling sun, cursing and swearing as he went at his plan having been so nearly frustrated by the cackling gossip of an old dotard. "_Potz--Himmel, Donnerwetter, Schock, Schwerer, Noth, noch mal!_" he muttered to himself. "A pretty obstacle in my path! _Tausend Teufel!_ I had a mind to dash his brains out on the spot, the old idiot, for his drivelling."