"How long does it take to go to the manor?" asked the Professor, irritated by the short answers of the man.
"Do you wish to go there?" inquired the landlord. "Do you know the owner?"
"No," answered the Professor.
"Have you any business with him?"
"That is our affair," answered the Professor, curtly.
"The road leads through the wood, and takes half an hour--you cannot miss it;" and the landlord abruptly closed the conversation and left the room. The citizen followed him.
"We have not learnt much," said the Doctor, laughing. "I hope the pastor and magistrate will be more communicative."
"We will go direct to the place," said the Professor, with decision.
Meanwhile the landlord and the citizen consulted together. "Whatever the strangers may be," repeated the citizen, "they are not ecclesiastics, and they did not seem to care for the magistrate. Did you remark how they inquired about the monastery and the Manor?" The landlord nodded. "I will tell you my suspicion," continued the citizen, eagerly; "they have not come here for nothing; they are after something."
"What can that be?" asked the landlord, pondering.