"Thank you," said Sendlingen. "I have never observed this means of communication before."
"Your predecessor had it made," answered the Governor, "so that he might inspect the prison without being announced. The key must be in your possession."
"Very likely," answered Sendlingen, and he went back to his residence.
Franz placed his breakfast before him. "There'll be a nice ending to this," he growled. "We are dangerously ill and yet we trapse about the streets in all weathers. Dr. Berger, too, is surprised at our new ways."
"Has he been here already?"
"He was here a few minutes ago, but will be back at eight.... But now we have got to drink our tea." He did not budge till the cup had been emptied.
With growing impatience Sendlingen looked at the clock. "He can have nothing fresh to say," he thought. "He must guess my intention and want to hinder me. He will not succeed."
But he did succeed. As he entered, Sendlingen had just taken up his hat and stick.
"You are going to the trial?" began his faithful friend almost roughly, "You must not, Victor, I implore you. I forbid you. What will the judges think if you are too ill to preside, and yet well enough to be present with no apparent object. But the main thing is not to torment yourself, it is unmanly. Do not lessen your strength, you may require it."
He wrested his hat from him and forced him into an armchair.