[FORESTER _draws a single loud breath, and still keeps holding the muffler mechanically before him, without seeing it_.] WEILER. Your face is quite distorted. I am going to call your wife. FORESTER (_makes a movement, as if he were pushing a load from him with utmost exertion_). Never mind! A slight dizziness. Have not been bled recently; the wine into the bargain--it's already passing away--say nothing to any one about this. [_Rises with difficulty_.] WEILER. So they have had a regular stand-up fight, Andrew and Robert! But what do you intend to do now? As a dismissed man? If that fellow says: "I challenged the poacher, he did not throw down his gun?" You know better than any one that a hunter may then shoot. He is not even obliged to challenge; if he only hits the mark, he is also in the right. And whoever, like your Andrew, has fallen the height of two stories from the rock into the water, his tongue will cease wagging even without powder and lead. You know the law, as it is nowadays. And they will lock you up into the bargain because of insubordination. I am sorry for you. I should not like to be you. Hey? FORESTER. The thunderstorm has already passed the Lautenberg, do you hear? If you delay any longer you will be caught in the rain. WEILER. There was lightning some time ago. As I came along the hill with the larch-firs, the whole country was lighted up. Then I saw Robert still walking up and down by the willows below. [FORESTER _goes to the door so that_ WEILER _may see he is waiting for his departure_.] WEILER. Are you going once more to the lawyer? That might do some good if you were an official of the state. But what are you going to do when you are not? FORESTER. Nothing. WEILER. Whoever believes it-- FORESTER. Fool that you are! I'm going to bed. WEILER. It isn't late enough for that. FORESTER. I am going to lock the door and the shutters. WEILER (_as he has no alternative, hesitating_). Now then, sleep well, Ulrich--if you can. [_Exit, the_ FORESTER _after him_.] SCENE VII _Enter_ SOPHY; _then the_ FORESTER _and_ WILLIAM. SOPHY (_coming out of_ MARY'S _room_). Now she may be where the willows begin. [_At the window_.] He is closing the shutters. I must close Mary's for appearance's sake, so that she can climb in when she returns. And Andrew not yet back! All at once a feeling comes over me, as if I should not have allowed Mary to go. _Enter the_ FORESTER _with_ WILLIAM. SOPHY _goes again into_ MARY'S _room_. WILLIAM (_while entering_). Father, Lora Kramer came to the fence, and said that Stein was beside himself--that shots had been heard in the forest--that Robert was missing, and that Stein had sent Möller into town; he was to get the soldiers; they were to arrest the whole band of murderers from the hunter's house, he said. She also said that Möller had passed Kramer's house at full gallop. They might be expected to arrive before one o'clock.