“Yes, always.”
“Did you notice anything on that particular evening?”
“No.”
“Did you see any one lurking in the neighborhood?”
It flashed like lightning upon him. He only remembered at this moment the shadow which he had seen disappearing into the wood at the beginning of the fire. But that was not in the neighborhood, and, drawing a long breath, he answered,
“No.”
“Well, now it will come out,” he thought; the very next question would bring his night wanderings to the light of day—would betray the secret that hitherto he had kept in his inmost heart.
But no. The magistrate broke off suddenly, and said, after a little pause,
“Was not a servant called Raudszus in your service till a short time ago?”
“Yes.” he answered, and stared at the magistrate with astonished eyes. So it was on Raudszus, then, that suspicion fell.