"Two," said the host, more politely. "But the old pastor is dead; meanwhile, there is a candidate here." "Is the other pastor at home?" "I do not know," said the landlord. "Have you a court of justice here?" "We have a Justice of the Peace; he is now here--court is in session to-day." "Was there not in former times a monastery in the city?" said the Doctor, taking up the examination. The citizen and the landlord looked at each other. "That is long since," replied the master of the inn. "Does not the Manor of Bielstein lie in the neighborhood?" inquired Fritz. Again the citizen and the landlord looked significantly at each other. "It lies somewhere here in the neighborhood," answered the landlord, with reserve. "How long does it take to go to the manor?" asked the Professor, irritated by the short answers of the man. "Do you wish to go there?" inquired the landlord. "Do you know the owner?" "No," answered the Professor. "Have you any business with him?" "That is our affair," answered the Professor, curtly. "The road leads through the wood, and takes half an hour--you cannot miss it;" and the landlord abruptly closed the conversation and left the room. The citizen followed him. "We have not learnt much," said the Doctor, laughing. "I hope the pastor and magistrate will be more communicative." "We will go direct to the place," said the Professor, with decision. Meanwhile the landlord and the citizen consulted together. "Whatever the strangers may be," repeated the citizen, "they are not ecclesiastics, and they did not seem to care for the magistrate. Did you remark how they inquired about the monastery and the Manor?" The landlord nodded. "I will tell you my suspicion," continued the citizen, eagerly; "they have not come here for nothing; they are after something." "What can that be?" asked the landlord, pondering. "They are disguised Jesuits; that's what they look like to me." "Well, if they intend to seek a quarrel with the people at the Manor, they will find their match." "I am on my way now to the Inspector on business; I will give him a hint." "Do not meddle with what does not concern you," said the landlord, warningly. But the citizen only held the boots he carried, tighter under his arm, and drove round the corner. Our two friends left, disgusted with the lack of courtesy they encountered at the Dragon. They inquired the way to the manor of an old woman at the opposite gate of the city. Behind the town the path rose from the gravel bed of the brook to the woody height. They entered a clearing of underbrush, from which, here and there, rose up high oaks. The rain of the last evening still hung in drops on the leaves--the deep green of summer glistened in the sun's rays--the song of birds and the tapping of the woodpecker above broke the stillness. "This puts one in different frame of mind," exclaimed the Doctor, cheerfully.