“No,” said Greusel quietly; “I shall carry out Roland’s instructions.”
“I thought you hadn’t seen him this morning?”
“Not a trace of him. You heard his orders at Breckenheim.”
“I don’t remember. What were they?”
“That if anything happened to him, I was to drive the herd to Assmannshausen. I quite agree with you, Ebearhard, that he is justified in deserting this menagerie, but, on the other hand, you and I have stood faithfully by him, and it doesn’t seem to me right that he should leave us without a word. I don’t believe he has done so, and I expect any moment to see him return.”
“You’re wrong, Greusel. He’s gone. That purse is sufficient explanation, and as you recall to my mind his instructions, I believe something of this must have suggested itself to him even that early in the day. He has divested himself of every particle of money in his possession, turning it over to you, but instead of returning to Frankfort he has made his way over the hills to Assmannshausen, and will await us there.”
“What would be the object of that?”
“One reason may be that he will learn whether or not you have enough control over these people to bring them to the Rhine. He will satisfy himself that your discipline is such as to improve their manners. It may be in his mind to resign, and make you leader, if you prove yourself able to control them.”
“Suppose I fail in that?”
“Well, then—this is all fancy, remember—I imagine he may look round Assmannshausen to find another company who will at least obey him.”