The woman's little eyes dwelt on me stolidly for a space. Then she made as if she would shut the door. 'For shame!' she said spitefully. 'We have no girls here. Begone with you!'
But I put my foot against the door. 'Whose house is this?' I said.
'No, he is not,' she retorted; 'and if he were, we have no baggages here.' And again she tried to shut the door, but I prevented her.
'He is at morning drill, if you must know,' she snapped; 'and his two sons. Now, will you let me shut my door? Or must I cry out?'
'Nonsense, mother!' I said. 'Who is in the house besides yourself?'
'What is that to you?' she replied, breathing short.
'I have told you,' I said, trying to control my anger. 'I----'
But, quick as lightning, the door slammed to and cut me short. I had thoughtlessly moved my foot. I heard the woman chuckle and go slipshod down the passage, and though I knocked again in a rage, the door remained closed.
I fell back and looked at the house. An elderly man in a grave, sober dress was passing, among others, and I caught his eye.
'I am a stranger,' I said. 'Is he a man of substance?'
The person I addressed smiled. 'He is a member of the Council of Safety,' he said dryly. 'His brother is prefect of this ward. But here is Herr Krapp. Doubtless he has been at St. Sebald's drilling.'
I thanked him, and made but two steps to Herr Krapp's side. He was the other's twin--elderly, soberly dressed, his only distinction a sword and pistol in his girdle and a white shoulder sash.
'The same,' he answered, eying me gravely.
'I am the Countess of Heritzburg's steward,' I said. I began to see the need of explanation. 'Doubtless you have heard that she is in the city?'
'Certainly,' he answered. 'In the Ritter Strasse.'
'Yes,' I replied. 'A fortnight ago she missed a young woman, one of her attendants. She was lost in a night adventure,' I continued, my throat dry and husky. 'A few minutes ago I saw her looking from one of your windows.'
'From one of my windows?' he exclaimed in a tone of surprise.
He opened his eyes wide. 'Here?' he said. He pointed to his house.
'Impossible!' he replied, shutting his lips suddenly. 'Quite impossible, my friend. My household consists of my two sons and myself. We have a housekeeper only, and two lads. I have no young women in the house.'