IV
A tall man with keen eyes and a round stomach stood in the shadow of the Johanneskirche, lost in thought and humming to himself. Now and then he took off his glasses and rubbed them vigorously, and put them on again to peer absently down the street.
A heavy figure, clad in the faded blue uniform of the Michaelsschule, rounded the corner, puffing heavily.
"Ach, Kerlman!" The tall man started forward with a stride. "You are late."
The other nodded imperturbably.
"Ja, I am late. Those boys—I cannot make to hurry." He spoke as if assigning sufficient reason and wiped his brow.
A twinkle came into the keen eyes. "And one of them you have lost to-day," he said dryly. He cocked his eye a trifle toward the heavy church that rose behind them.
The other looked quickly around.
"That S'bastian—was he here?" he demanded.