Franz, after lounging about in his usual way, left _am Sand_, announcing his intention of going to Meran. Before he had proceeded far, however, some one said "Hist!" and he looked round and saw Donay. "Well?" said the priest, coming up to him, and walking with him. "Well," said Franz, "I've been there, and breakfasted there, but to no good. Theresa wouldn't drop a word that one could lay hold of." "Ah, there are other things besides words that sharp people can lay hold of," said Father Donay. "For example, I have laid hold of something that certifies to me the Sandwirth has been to his house and from it, within these twelve hours." "Aye? And yet, father, we've watched that house as a cat watches a mouse!" "Pooh, pooh!" "What's your proof?" "His footprints, my son. One day, at Innsbruck, when your famous Hofer was lodging in the imperial palace, he kept me waiting some time. I left without seeing him; but, before I did so, happening to observe a pair of his clumsy boots lying on the parqueté floor, which they graced as well as _he_ graced the palace, I soiled my hands so far as to take their length and breadth." "That was far-sighted of you, father!" said Franz, with a kind of sympathetic admiration. "Well, I did not know at the time all that might come of it--I merely amused myself by showing the clumsy proportions to one or two in the camp; but there must have been something pre-ordained--I was but an instrument," said this pious priest. "On coming to _am Sand_ this morning, to look about a little, what should I see but numerous footprints in the new-fallen snow, different from those of any who are supposed to be sleeping in the house, namely, women and children. I dropped on my knees, and--_measured them_! they were Hofer's! I afterwards tracked them across the pastures, full half a mile, till--plump!--into the snow I sank till it was above my head!" Franz burst out laughing, and suddenly stopped short, as he saw Father Donay turn red with wrath. "You are rude to laugh," said the priest, with displeasure. "I nearly lost my life, I can tell you! When I floundered out, I found so many foot-tracks that I got confused, and could make none of them out to be Hofer's; yet, whoever it was who had walked up to that spot, must have turned back or gone on, unless, indeed, they could have been smothered in the snow." "Which he may have been, in the darkness of night," cried Franz. "Well, I think not; he might have floundered about as I did," said Father Donay. "Life is equally dear to us all, I suppose.--So, now I leave it to you to find where he is, whether there or anywhere else; and, when you do, you know your reward." "Well, I can't say I like this job," cried Franz, after a pause. "Do you know, father, in a miracle-play, I once played Judas--" "Well, you've only got to play Judas again," said the priest, with a sinister smile. "What, and _hang_ myself?" cried Franz, hoarsely. "Why, father, what is it you are asking me?"