This was done. When, however, the children saw their pastor getting into the carriage, they commenced to weep aloud, in which the girls and women joined, so that heart-rending lamentations filled the air. The driver whipped the horses, and the carriage almost flew through the now desolated village.
“Do not weep so!” said Keller; “our pastor will return: he has promised it.”
“But if they imprison him?” said a timid woman.
“Ah! bah! things have not yet come to such a pass!” observed the burgomaster; “the parish will protect him!”
The people now separated. Only the burgomaster and some of the influential villagers remained in the priest’s house conversing together. In a short time, another carriage stopped at the door. The astonished men saw an official wearing a very rich uniform descend from the carriage.
“I think I know him,” said Keller. “Yes; I am right: he is one of the four Freemasons.”
A priest who accompanied the official was received by the villagers with sharp and suspicious looks.
“Good-morning!” said the friendly official. “I am rejoiced to meet here in the priest’s house such a number of gentlemen. Herr Burgomaster, if I am not mistaken?”
“Yes; I am he, and these are the councilmen.”
“This is splendid; what a fortunate circumstance!” remarked the official. “I am the government counsellor, and have come to introduce this reverend gentlemen into his office, so that the good parish of Weselheim should not be one moment without a pastor.”