_Stral._ Well, sir, since you will not-- You are nobly born? _Ulr._ I have heard my kinsmen say so. _Stral._ Your actions show it. Might I ask your name? _Ulr._ Ulric. _Stral._ Your house's? _Ulr._ When I'm worthy of it, 190 I'll answer you. _Stral._ (_aside_). Most probably an Austrian, Whom these unsettled times forbid to boast His lineage on these wild and dangerous frontiers, Where the name of his country is abhorred. [_Aloud to_ FRITZ _and_ IDENSTEIN. So, sirs! how have ye sped in your researches? _Iden._ Indifferent well, your Excellency. _Stral._ Then I am to deem the plunderer is caught? _Iden._ Humph!--not exactly. _Stral._ Or, at least, suspected? _Iden._ Oh! for that matter, very much suspected. _Stral._ Who may he be? _Iden._ Why, don't _you_ know, my Lord? 200 _Stral._ How should I? I was fast asleep. _Iden._ And so Was I--and that's the cause I know no more Than does your Excellency. _Stral._ Dolt! _Iden._ Why, if Your Lordship, being robbed, don't recognise The rogue; how should I, not being robbed, identify The thief among so many? In the crowd, May it please your Excellency, your thief looks Exactly like the rest, or rather better: 'Tis only at the bar and in the dungeon, That wise men know your felon by his features; 210 But I'll engage, that if seen there but once, Whether he be found criminal or no, His face shall be so. _Stral._ (_to_ FRITZ). Prithee, Fritz, inform me What hath been done to trace the fellow? _Fritz_. Faith! My Lord, not much as yet, except conjecture. _Stral._ Besides the loss (which, I must own, affects me Just now materially), I needs would find The villain out of public motives; for So dexterous a spoiler, who could creep Through my attendants, and so many peopled 220 And lighted chambers, on my rest, and snatch The gold before my scarce-closed eyes, would soon Leave bare your borough, Sir Intendant! _Iden._ True; If there were aught to carry off, my Lord. _Ulr._ What is all this? _Stral._ You joined us but this morning, And have not heard that I was robbed last night. _Ulr._ Some rumour of it reached me as I passed The outer chambers of the palace, but I know no further. _Stral._ It is a strange business: The Intendant can inform you of the facts. 230 _Iden._ Most willingly. You see----