"The carriage will take us to the castle in five minutes, your ladyship." "But we did not come in a carriage; we walked." Only now the doctor noticed that the lady's gown was thickly spattered with mud. "What? Came on foot in such weather--all the way from the Nameless Castle? and your ladyship has a carriage and horses?" "Cannot you come with us on foot, Herr Doctor?" "I should like very much to accompany your ladyship; but really, I have _rheumatismus acutus_ in my foot, and were I to get wet I should certainly have an _ischias_." Marie lifted her clasped hands in despair to her lips, but the beseeching expression on her face was hidden by the heavy veil. Could the doctor have seen the tearful eyes, the trembling lips! Seeing that her voiceless petition was in vain, Marie drew from her bosom a silken purse, and emptied the contents, gold, silver, and copper coins, on the table. "Here," she exclaimed proudly. "I have much more money like this, and will reward you richly if you will come with me." The doctor was amazed. There on the table lay more gold than the whole county could have mustered in these days of paper notes. Truly these people were not to be despised. "If only it did not rain so heavily--" "I will let you take my umbrella." "Thanks, your ladyship; I have one of my own." "Then let us start at once." "But my foot--it pains dreadfully." "We can easily arrange that. Henry, here, is a very strong man; he will take you on his shoulders, and bring you back from the castle in the carriage." There were no further objections to be offered when Henry, with great willingness, placed his broad shoulders at the doctor's service. The doctor hastily thrust what was necessary into a bag, locked the money Marie had given him in a drawer, bade Frau Zsuzsa remain awake until he returned, and clambered on Henry's back. In one hand he held his umbrella, in the other the lantern; and thus the little company took their way to the castle--the "double man" in advance, the little maid following with her umbrella. The doctor had sufficient cause to be excited. What usurious gossip-interest might be collected from such a capitol! Dr. Tromfszky already had an enviable reputation in the county, but what would it become when it became known that he was physician in ordinary to the Nameless Castle? The rain was not falling so heavily when they arrived at the castle. Marie and Henry at once conducted the doctor to Ludwig's chamber. Henry first thrust his head cautiously through the partly open door, then whispered that his master was still tossing deliriously about on the bed; whereupon the doctor summoned courage to enter the room. His first act was to snuff the candle, the wick having become so charred it scarcely gave any light. He could now examine the invalid's face, which was covered with a burning flush. His eyes rolled wildly. He had not removed his clothes, but had torn them away from his breast.