“Whether or not they permit me, I shall go to the _Untersuchung_,” Everett replied. “Would it not be safe for me to wait behind the line of poplars not far off from the platform upon which the elders will sit?” “If thou shouldst go out there early, and stay where the wild hop-vine might hide thee, there is a chance no one would behold thee,” admitted the simple one. “When does the prophetess go before the elders?” Everett inquired. “I know nothing of to-day’s arrangements, because here at the inn no one will give me any information. You are my only friend, Hans Peter. I expect you to tell me all you know.” “Thou forgettest that the fool hath no memory.” “Where are your gourds? Is there not one that will help me to find out when to hide among the poplars?” Hans Peter twirled his cap. “Thou wert merciful to me when I was in the stocks,” he said, slowly. “The fool’s memory hath still a knowledge of that day. The fool doth know that, last of all Zanah, Walda Kellar will appear before the elders.” “That means I need not go to the _Untersuchung_ until this afternoon?” queried Everett. “Yea, thou shouldst wait until late in the day.” Hans Peter turned as if to run away, but Everett caught him by the sleeve of his gingham shirt. “Have you been to the meeting-house to-day?” Everett asked, looking at the simple one with such entreaty in his eyes that Hans Peter answered: “Yea, I have but just come from the place where the prophetess of Zanah hath been keeping her vigil.” “You went there on an errand, I suppose?” “I carried orders from the elders.” At this point Hans Peter closed his mouth very tightly and stared stupidly. Everett saw that further questioning would be of no avail.