“And I have been thinking it over and over, herr, till I can think no more; for the thoughts always come to the same point. I cannot understand it.”
“Why, the rope got worked up, Melk; that’s all.”
“No, herr—impossible: that loop could not have worked up unless hands touched it.”
“Gnomes or kobolds?” said Saxe, smiling as he had not been able to smile in the gloomy ravine.
“Ah, herr! you laugh at the old fancy; but there the matter lies; and I am beginning to think that a great deal of our misfortune is due to the same cause.”
“What! the stone-throwing from the mountain?”
“Yes, herr.”
“Well, don’t let us talk any more about it, or you’ll be making me fancy all sorts of things after it is dark. How much farther have we to go?”
“A good piece yet, herr; but we know the way. There is no doubt about it. In a little while I shall hurry on before, and get the fire lit, so as to have the tea ready for Herr Dale. I am sorry I have angered him so.”
“Don’t say any more about it, and he will soon forget it all.”