He was already in the street leading to the castle thronged with nobles vénitiens, when somebody slapped him on the shoulder.
He turned, surprised--the fool Fröhlich smiled at him.
"How did you recognize me?" asked Zaklika.
"Besides the King, nobody here has such broad shoulders as you have," whispered Fröhlich. "What are you doing here? I heard that you were with Cosel."
"I left her," answered Zaklika, "There was nothing to do after her downfall."
"You are right," said the fool; "one must always take care of one's neck. Then you returned to the King's service--or perhaps you are with Denhoff?"
"Not yet," answered Zaklika. "But tell me, what do you think of her?"
"She is like those little black animals that jump and bite, but which it is difficult to catch," said the fool, laughing.
They were still talking when a passing Spaniard, with a mask on his face, stopped, and began to look attentively at them. Zaklika wanted to go, when the masked man approached him, raised his hat, and seized him by the hand.
Fröhlich disappeared immediately.