"Is that your coat there?" asked the man.
"Unfortunately I cannot give you an affirmative answer," replied Raschke conscientiously.
"There must be something wrong here," exclaimed the stranger, again eyeing the professor suspiciously.
"There is, indeed," replied Raschke. "The dog is out of his mind; the coat is exchanged, and I do not know where we are."
"Close to the valley gate, Professor Raschke," answered the voice of Gabriel, who hastily joined the group. "Excuse me, but what brings you here?"
"Capital!" exclaimed Raschke joyously. "Pray take charge of this coat and this dog."
Gabriel gazed in amazement at Speihahn, who was now lying on the coat and bending his head before his friend. Gabriel threw down the dog and seized the coat. "Why, that is our greatcoat!" exclaimed he.
"Yes, Gabriel," said the professor, "that was my mistake, and the dog has shown marvelous fidelity to the coat."
"Fidelity!" exclaimed Gabriel indignantly, as he drew a parcel out of the coat pocket. "It was greedy selfishness, sir; there must be some food in this pocket."
"Yes, true," exclaimed Raschke; "it is all the chicken's fault. Give me the parcel, Gabriel; I must eat the fowl myself; and we might bid each other good-night now with mutual satisfaction, if you would just show me my way a little among these trees."