"Was your master here?"
"No, sire. He is away."
"Who is your master?"
He looked astonished.
"Herr Schemmell, your Grace."
"And were the preparations all complete at Herr Schemmell's country-seat when you left—the preparations for the expected guests, I mean?"
The shot told; for he started and looked up and I thought he was going to reply, when a stolid, sullen look settled on his face and he was silent.
I jingled the two gold pieces and added a third, and then on my side I was considerably startled, for a deep voice said from behind me:
"The bribery of a servant is not a very princely employment."
"Who are you, sir?" I cried, turning quickly on the newcomer.