"That is Regelsch," said Franz, who stood near him.
"Yes," said Axel, hastily, "what has he to do with her? I must find out."
"That is very singular," said Pomuchelskopp.
Habermann stood in the yard, with the laborer's wife, apparently persuading her to something; she resisted, but finally yielded, and came with him towards the manor house. They entered the room.
"Herr von Rambow," said Habermann, "the woman has confessed to me that she helped her husband away in the night."
"Yes, Herr," said the woman, trembling all over, "I did it, I am guilty; but I could not do otherwise, he would have taken his life else," and the tears started from her eyes, and she put her apron to her face.
"A pretty story!" said Axel, coldly,--and he was usually so kindhearted--"a pretty story! This seems to be a regular conspiracy!"
Franz went up to the woman, made her sit down, and inquired, "Regelsch, didn't he confess to you what he had done with the money?"
"No, young Herr, he told me nothing, and what he said was false; I know that; but he hasn't taken it."
"How came you," said Axel roughly to Habermann, "to be questioning this woman without my orders?"