t in the poorer quarters.

Malcolm presently found a woman who agreed to let him two rooms. He
accounted for his need for the second room by saying that his young
brother was ill and needed perfect rest and quiet, and that the filing
and hammering which was necessary in his craft prevented the lad from
sleeping. As Malcolm agreed at once to the terms she asked for the
rooms, the woman accepted his statement without doubt. They were soon
lodged in two attics at the top of the house, furnished only with a
table, two chairs, and a truckle bed in each; but Malcolm was well
contented with the shelter he had found.

Seeing that it would be extremely difficult at present to journey
further, he determined to remain some little time in the town, thinking
that he might be able to carry out the instructions which he had
received from Colonel Munro, and to obtain information as to the plans
of Wallenstein and the feelings of the army.

"You will have to remain a prisoner here, Thekla, I am afraid, almost
as strictly as at Prague, for it would not do to risk the discovery that
you are a girl by your appearing in the streets in daylight, and after
dark the streets of the town, occupied by Wallenstein's soldiers, are no
place for any peaceful persons.

"I may as well be here as at Nuremberg," Thekla said, "and as I shall
have you with me instead of being with strangers, the longer we stay
here the better."

The next morning Malcolm sallied out into the town to see if he could
find employment. There was, however, but one clockmaker in Pilsen,
and the war had so injured his trade that he had discharged all his
journeymen, for clocks were still comparatively rare luxuries, and were
only to be seen in the houses of nobles and rich citizens. Knowing that
Wallenstein was devoted to luxury and magnificence, always taking with
him, except when making the most rapid marches, a long train of baggage
and furniture, Malcolm thought it possible that he might obtain some
employment in his apartments. He accordingly went boldly to the castle
where the duke had established himself, and, asking for his steward,
stated that he was a clockmaker from the workshop of the celebrated
horologist, Master Jans Boerhoff, and could repair any clocks or watches
that might be out of order.

"Then you are the very man we need," the steward said. "My master, the
duke, is curious in such matters, and ever carries with him some half
dozen clocks with his other