"And what do you propose to do?"
"The opportunity is a good one," he went on, seeing that I hesitated to answer. "I have a letter from the steuerrath which compels me to start for the town within the hour. I will take you with me; it is now twelve o'clock, and in three hours we can be there; you can ring up the old gentleman; sleep an hour or two in the garret of which you have so often told me; thank God to-morrow morning that you are clear of the Wild Zehren, and--go back again to school."
He spoke the last words with a slight contempt, which galled the most sensitive part in the heart of a young man, that of false pride.
"I will go with you wherever you go!" I exclaimed, starting up. "I said so this morning, and I now repeat it. Tell me what I shall do."
Herr von Zehren again paced the room for a few moments, and then paused before me and said in an agitated voice:
"Remain here--for a day or two at all events, until I return. You will do me a service."
I looked at him interrogatively.
"If you return now to-day," he continued, "that will only have the effect of confirming the rumors of which your father writes. The rats are leaving the house, they will say, and justly. And just now it is of importance to me that people shall say nothing, that as little attention as possible shall be directed to me. Do you understand, George?"
"No," I answered; "why now especially?"
I looked fixedly at him; he bore the scrutiny, and after a while answered, speaking slowly and in a low voice: