By half-past five everything was in readiness for their departure; Baptiste had retired with a liberal tip, and Grey and O’Hara were making themselves ready for the journey. Just at this juncture there was a knock at the door, and in answer to Grey’s command to enter, it swung open to reveal, bowing on the threshold, the sturdy little figure, pale face, and close-cropped yellow head of Johann.
The two occupants of the room stood astonished, their eyes wide with surprise.
“Johann!” they exclaimed together.
“Yes, Herr Arndt,” said the lad, bowing again; “it is as you see—I have come back.”
“Back from where, Johann?” Grey asked.
“I started for Kürschdorf with the Herr Captain Lindenwald; but I am come back from Strasburg.”
“And why?” queried the American, very much puzzled.
“Because, Herr Arndt, I knew it was not right for me to be going with the Herr Captain. I was in your service, and perhaps if you were seized with madness you have all the more need of me.”
“Madness!” repeated Grey, frowning. “What is this? Who said I was mad?”
“The Herr Captain and Lutz,” confessed Johann, stolidly, with scarce a change of expression.