staring eyes, her name upon his
dying lips.

Adam sadly shook his head, but Hans Eitelfritz was touched by the girl's
eager longing to help the man who was dear to him, so he hastily taxed
his inventive brain, saying:

"Perhaps it might be risked... listen to me, Meister! You won't be
particularly safe in the streets, yourself, and could hardly reach the
rampart without me. I shall lose precious time; but you are his father,
and this girl--is she his sister?--No?--So much the better for him, if
he lives! It isn't an easy matter, but it can be done. Yonder good dame
will take care of Lelaps for me. Poor dog! That feels good, doesn't it?
Well then... I can be here again at midnight. Have you a handcart in the
house?"

"For coal and iron."

"That will answer. Let the woman make a kettle of soup, and if you have
a few hams...."

"There are four in the store-room," cried Ruth.

"Take some bread, a few jugs of wine, and a keg of beer, too, and then
follow me quietly. I have the password, my servant will accompany me,
and I'll make the Spaniards believe you belong to us, and are bringing
my men their supper. Blacken your pretty face a little, my dear girl,
wrap yourself up well, and if we find Ulrich we will put him in the
empty cart, and I will accompany you home again. Take yonder spicesack,
and if we find the poor fellow, dead or alive, hide him with it. The
sack was intended for other things, but I shall be well content with
this booty. Take care of these silver toys. What pretty things they are!
How the little horse rears, and see the bird in the cage! Don't look so
fierce, Meister! In catching fish we must be content even with smelts;
if I hadn't taken these, others would have done so; they are for
my sister's children, and there is something else hidden here in my
doublet; it shall help me to pass my leisure hours. One man's meat is
another man's poison."

When Hans Eitelfritz returned at midnight, the cart with the food and
liquor was ready. Adam's warnings were unavailing. Ruth resolutely
insisted upon accompanying him, and he well knew what urged her to risk
safety and life as freely as he did himself.

Old Rahel had done her best to conceal Ruth's beauty.

The dangerous nocturnal pilgrimage began.

The smith pulled the cart, and Ruth pushed, Hans Eitelfritz, with his
sword-bearer, walking by her side. From time to time Spanish soldiers
met and accosted them; but Hans skilfully satisfied their curiosity