“It delights my heart to hear you say so. And now I ask, as a favour, that you allow me to deal untrammelled with the Fehmgerichte.”
“I grant that most willingly.”
By this time they were almost under the shadow of the great wall of the city, and Wilhelm, stopping, said to the Emperor:
“I think it well that we now divest ourselves of these disguises.”
They had scarcely thrown their cloaks behind the bushes at the side of the road when they were accosted by the guard at the top of the wall.
“Halt! Who approaches the gate?”
Wilhelm strode forward.
“Is Gottlieb at the guard-house or at the barracks?” he asked.
“He is at the guard-house,” replied the sentinel, recognising the questioner.
“Then arouse him immediately, and open the gates.”