'I am a stranger,' I said. 'Is he a man of substance?'
The person I addressed smiled. 'He is a member of the Council of Safety,' he said dryly. 'His brother is prefect of this ward. But here is Herr Krapp. Doubtless he has been at St. Sebald's drilling.'
I thanked him, and made but two steps to Herr Krapp's side. He was the other's twin--elderly, soberly dressed, his only distinction a sword and pistol in his girdle and a white shoulder sash.
'Herr Krapp?' I said.
'The same,' he answered, eying me gravely.
'I am the Countess of Heritzburg's steward,' I said. I began to see the need of explanation. 'Doubtless you have heard that she is in the city?'
'Certainly,' he answered. 'In the Ritter Strasse.'
'Yes,' I replied. 'A fortnight ago she missed a young woman, one of her attendants. She was lost in a night adventure,' I continued, my throat dry and husky. 'A few minutes ago I saw her looking from one of your windows.'
'From one of my windows?' he exclaimed in a tone of surprise.
'Yes,' I said stiffly.