"That might hardly be to her liking," was the answer.
At a sign from her, Ellerey's eyes were bound with a scarf, and in a few minutes he was being guided along the streets.
"One moment, monsieur," said one of his guides, presently. "There are footsteps, surely!"
Ellerey stood still and waited, listening. He heard no footsteps, and presently did not perceive the breathing of the man beside him. Then he understood the ruse, and tore the bandage from his eyes. He was alone at the corner of the Altstrasse, and the rain was beating slantwise into his face.
CHAPTER IV.
THE COURT OF STURATZBERG
Ellerey's servant had fallen asleep on a settle, partly induced, perhaps, by the liquor the empty tankard beside him had held, but he started, wide awake on the instant, as his master entered. Ellery expected him to remark upon his sorry condition, as he threw off his cloak, but the man did not do so.
"There has been some rough handling in my neighborhood to-night,
Stefan."
"That's plain enough, Captain," was the answer. "They were good clothes, too."
"And interest you more than the man inside them," said Ellerey, grimly.