-yes,
even suspicious, and it seemed very remarkable to him that such plain,
ordinary looking wanderers should have a servant, for, doubtless, the
man walking behind them, carrying the very small carpet-bag, was their
servant; but, truly, he appeared to be a proud person, and had the
haughty bearing of a general or a field-marshal, he would not even
return the friendly greetings of the people he passed. His masters could
not be distinguished or rich, for both of them carried a case under
their arms. What could be in those long cases, what secret was hidden
there? Perhaps they held pistols, and the good people of Grave would
have to deal with robbers or murderers. The appearance of the strangers
was wild and bold enough to allow of the worst suspicions.

The whole town, as before mentioned, was in commotion, and all were
anxious to see the three strangers, about whom there was certainly
something mysterious. They had the manners and bearing of noblemen, but
were dressed like common men.

A crowd of idlers had assembled before the post-house, whispering and
staring at the windows of the guests' rooms. At last their curiosity
was about to be gratified, at last the servant appeared with the little
carpet-bag, and placed it in the stage, and returned for the two cases,
whose contents they would so greedily have known. The postilion blew his
horn, the moment of departure had arrived.

A murmur was heard through the crowd, the strangers appeared, they
approached the stage, and with such haughty and commanding glances that
the men nearest them stepped timidly back.

The postilion sounded his horn again, the strangers were entering the
stage. At the door stood the postmaster, and behind him his wife, the
commanding postmistress.

"Niclas," she whispered, "I must and will know who these strangers are.
Go and demand their passports."

The obedient Niclas stepped out and cried in a thundering voice to the
postilion, who was just about to start, to wait. Stepping to the stage,
he opened the door.

"Your passports, gentlemen," he said, roughly. "You forgot to show me
your passports."

The curious observers breathed more freely, and nodded encouragingly to
the daring postmaster.

"You rejoice," murmured his wife, who was still standing in the door,
from whence she saw all that passed, and seemed to divine the thoughts
of her gaping friends--"you rejoice, but you shall know nothing. I shall
not satisfy your curiosity."

M