"Without Fronsberg's aid, it had not been such an easy matter," said he: "I was desired to inquire for you at Dieterick von Kraft's house. But as I was entering the gate of the town, I saw a large crowd of people in the field. I thought half an hour would make no great difference, so I joined the spectators to see the infantry exercise. Really, Fronsberg has done wonders. Well; it struck me I heard your name mentioned. I looked round, and saw three old men talking about you, and pointing to you. I noticed your figure, and followed your steps; but not certain if I was quite right, I put the enigma of Sturm and Licht to you."
"You have acted cleverly," said Albert, smiling; "but come to my house, and get something to eat. When do you go home again?"
Hans considered a moment; at last, he said, with a cunning smile on his mouth, "No offence, sir; but I have pledged myself to the young lady, not to quit you before you have taken your leave of the League."
"And then?" asked Albert.
"And then I go direct to Lichtenstein, to give her good news from you. How she longs to hear the happy tidings! She stands on the rock of the garden every day, and all day long, to see whether old Hans is coming."
"She shall soon have that pleasure," answered Albert; "I will be off to-morrow, if possible; and will write to her in the mean time."
"But be cautious what you do," said Hans; "the strip of parchment must not be longer than the one I brought you, for I must conceal it also under my knee-band. We cannot be too careful in these times; and no one will look for it there."
"Let it be so, then," answered Albert, as he rose from his seat. "And now adieu for the present; come to me at noon at Dieterick von Kraft's house, it is not far from the cathedral, and any one will shew it you. If they ask you where you come from, say you are a countryman of mine from Franconia, because the Ulmers are not well affected towards the Würtembergers."
"Don't be afraid, sir; you will not have any fault to find with me," replied Hans, as he parted from Albert. He looked back at the slim young man, and thought his sister's foster child, had made no bad choice in the object of her love.