The Professor started from his chair, and cast such a flaming glance at the student that in fright he quickly set down his cup of tea in order not to spill it "Where is the chest?" said the Professor.
"Where is it? I do not know," replied the student surprised. "I was told of it, some years ago, by a countryman of mine, who was born in the district of Rossau"--the student mentioned the name, and Ilse knew the family--"but it must be in our county, for he lived there as tutor in several places."
"Was he a philologist?" asked an older scholar, as eager as the Professor.
"He was a theologian," replied our student. A murmur of regret passed through the room.
"Then the account is still very uncertain," concluded the critic.
"Did the man see the chest himself?" asked the Professor.
"I am not certain of that, either," replied the student. "I did not then know the importance that attached to the communication. But, I think, he must have seen it himself, for I remember he said it was thickly plated with iron."
"Unfortunate man! You must do your utmost to procure us information about this chest," cried the Professor. He paced impatiently up and down the room, the students making way for him respectfully. "Your communication is of more importance than I can now tell you," began the Professor, stopping before the student. "Endeavor, in the first place, to recall what you have heard about it. Did your acquaintance ever see the chest open?"
"When I come to think of it," replied the student, "I believe that he saw some old monastic relics lying in it."
"Then it was no longer closed?" inquired the Professor. "And where is your friend, now?"