“What is the matter?” she asked; “what are you in such a hurry for? Why do you thus disturb quiet citizens from their early rest?”
So nervous was she, however, that she could scarcely continue her interrogations. At length the last bolt was withdrawn, and a party in dark cloaks and masks were seen at the door.
“Where are your master and his daughter?” asked one of them; “they must accompany us forthwith.”
“My master and his daughter!” asked Barbara, “what can you want with them at this hour of the night?”
“They must come to the Holy Office, to answer certain questions,” answered the speaker. “Lead the way.”
“But if the door is opened the light will be blown out, and you will be unable to follow me.”
Her great aim was to delay as long as possible, in the hope that by some means her master and Gretchen might make their escape by the back of the house. She was greatly in hope that the light would blow out, that she might thus have an excuse for a longer delay.
“Come—come! no fooling, mistress!” exclaimed the officer. “Lead on, or we must find the way by ourselves.”
On this, Barbara proceeded up the broad steps to the floor above. Two or three men, however, kept watch below. In vain were all her precautions. In the usual sitting room, quietly seated at a table, were Gretchen and her father. They rose as the officers of the Inquisition entered, and the merchant asked them what they wanted. The officer repeated what he had said to Barbara.
“We must obey,” said the merchant; “we have no power to resist.”