"Here's where you went astray," he said; "you didn't see the bit of red flannel, torn from the lining of Sebalt's jacket, that we pinned to the tree, just here, within the left-hand path? By Jove, it's gone! This stiff breeze must have drawn it against the knife's edge and cut it through. Look! There it is, caught in the thicket."
Sure enough, a long strip of red flannel was fluttering in the twigs of the underbrush a few feet away.
"I shudder when I think how we might be returning now!" exclaimed the Count, and a look of gloom settled for a moment upon his face.
Gideon rode up to the tree, and pulling out his hunting-knife, restored it to his belt. We looked thoughtfully along the fateful path for several minutes still. Then we resumed our homeward course.
It was towards two o'clock when we trooped into the courtyard. We presented a somewhat less spirited appearance than at our setting out at daybreak, but we were victorious and happy, nevertheless.
While the huntsmen and hostlers were busy in removing the boar and caring for the dogs and horses, the Count continued to the lodge gate, and Odile and I followed him leisurely, along the rugged path.
As we passed the lodge room, wherein we could descry the dwarf and a half-dozen other figures seated about the fireplace, Offenloch stepped out, and bowing to the Count, he said:
"Some musicians from the Forest, monsieur! They ask permission to play in the Castle this evening in return for food and a night's lodging."
"Good!" said the Count; "music is just what we want, and such as these fellows play! For I was just sending for you, Offenloch, to bid you prepare a feast to-night worthy of the triple event to be celebrated. Tell all the people of the Castle to be present in the dining-room at eight o'clock, and see that no one of them all is missing. These players shall furnish us music. Let nothing be wanting to every one's pleasure."
The delighted butler smiled expectantly, and withdrew to carry out his master's instructions.