The dusk prevented him from seeing their faces very clearly, or noticing what clothes they wore, but after awhile Brühl was able to distinguish that they were young men.
What could they have been doing so close to the King? Curiosity, fear and suspicion, kept him rooted to the spot. He wondered whether it would not be right to return to the tents and give warning of the presence of two suspicious strangers. He changed his mind however, and drawn more by instinct than reason, moved forward, and approached so near to the strangers that they could see him. His appearance must have astonished them, for one of them rose hastily, and seemed about to ask what he was doing there.
Without waiting for this question, Brühl advanced a few steps further, and asked severely:
'What are you doing here?'
'We are resting,' replied the man. 'Is it forbidden here for travellers to rest?'
The voice was mild, and the speech indicated an educated man.
'The King's court and his Majesty in person are not far distant,' said Brühl.
'Are we in the way?' asked the stranger, who did not appear to be in the least alarmed.
'No,' answered Brühl with animation, 'but if you were noticed here, you might be suspected of evil designs.'
The man who remained seated laughed and rose, and when he came out from beneath the shadow of the trees, Brühl beheld a good-looking man, with long hair and a noble mien. By his dress he was easily to be recognised as a student from one of the German universities.