The youth obeyed, drawing near slowly.
He already knew that Willibald had had to confess; that his rendezvous with his mother had been betrayed; but the awe with which he always approached his father was mingled to-day with defiance, which was not unnoticed by the Major.
He scanned the youthful, handsome person of his son with a long, gloomy glance.
"My sudden arrival does not seem to surprise you," he began; "you probably know what brought me here."
"Yes, father, I surmise it."
"Very well, we do not need then to continue with preliminaries. You have learned that your mother is still living. She has approached you and you are in communication with her. I know it already. When did you see her for the first time?"
"Five days ago."
"And since then you have spoken with her daily?"
"Yes, near the Burgsdorf pond."
Question and reply alike sounded curt and calm.