He fastened his horse to a hitching-ring in the wall and proceeded up to the house.
“My lord is not at home,” answered Fritz.
“I am a soldier and so understand the value of orders,” said the captain: “your master cannot have foreseen my call which is exceptional.”
“The prohibition is for everybody,” replied Fritz, blunderingly.
“Oh, then, your master is in!”
“Well, suppose he is?” challenged Fritz, who was beginning to lose patience.
“Then I shall wait till I see him.”
“My lord is not at home,” repeated the valet: “we have had a fire here and the place is not fit to live in.”
“But you are living here!”
“I am the care-taker. And any way,” he continued, getting warm, “whether the count is or is not in, people do not force their way in; if you try to break the rule, why—I will put you out,” he added tranquilly.