"Knave! clown!" And Gruben and Martini struck at him with their fists.
"Befoul not your fingers with him," said Count Engelhart. "Leave him to the men." And he pointed to a group of soldiers, now assembled at the stair-foot.
"You are right, comrade; the fellow is like a mad dog. It is out of his power to disgrace our uniform."
Then the officers seized the young man, and with their united strength threw him down stairs.
"Men! there is the strolling musician who dares assault your officers."
The soldiers received Bernard as he fell headlong down the staircase, and dragged him forth with shouts of savage joy, shutting the house-door behind them. The officers returned to their bowl of cardinal, Prince Amberg previously changing his torn uniform. The people of the house looked at each other in silence.
Anna Hammer had remained for a short time in a state of total unconsciousness. She came to herself just as her brother was pushed down the stairs. With a shriek, she flew after him. But she was too late. The soldiers were already forth with their prize, and in vain she shook the door, which was held from without.
In the street there arose a wild tumult; a chorus of shouts and curses, blows and screams.
Notwithstanding her terrible anxiety, the young girl's strength was soon exhausted by her fruitless efforts to open the door. She turned despairingly to the host and hostess. "For the love of God's mercy, save my poor brother! The savages will kill him. He is so weak, so suffering!"
The innkeeper shrugged his shoulders. "What can we do against the military?" he said.