as alone with his son, he questioned him on all kinds of
subjects; he even went so far as to ask him how often Eric visited the
Countess Bella, and whether they often took walks alone together.

Roland was perplexed.

On the road they overtook the saddle-horses, which had been sent
homewards in advance of the party. The horses were wholly enveloped in
coverings, so that only their eyes and feet were visible. Sonnenkamp
ordered a halt to be made; the creatures' great eyes were fixed with a
singular expression on their master from under their close coverings.
He severely reprimanded one of the grooms, whom he had seen at a
distance sitting on one of the horses instead of walking by the
animal's side. The next act of disobedience should lose the man his
place. As they drove on, Roland made the remark that these horses were
better clothed than many men.

Sonnenkamp threw a sidelong glance of surprise at his son, but made no
answer.

All at once Roland beckoned to the driver to stop. He had noticed by
the road-side the teamster, employed in carting the stone bottles to
the mineral-spring, whom he had walked with on that eventful night.
Alighting, Roland held out his hand to the man and requested him to
tell the hostler, when he met him, that he was innocent; whereupon he
resumed his seat in the carriage, the teamster all the while staring
after him, while his father desired him to tell him more about the
strange rencontre.

Roland related all he knew, not omitting the legend of the laughing
sprite; but the story about this sprite seemed to have no effect upon
Sonnenkamp's risibles; and when Roland remarked, that he liked to
familiarize himself with the life of poor people battling with abject
misery, Sonnenkamp whistled the inaudible tune to himself. At the same
time, the more Roland talked, the more surprised did his father appear
at the mental activity of the lad; and the conversation in the old
castle, after Claus had questioned him, was brought back to his mind
with strange associations and connections.

Sonnenkamp was inwardly debating what to do. To dismiss Eric on the
spot would not answer, on Roland's account; such peremptory dismissal
might only make him cling all the more obstinately to his erroneous
views and tendencies. Besides, it would be ill-advised to bring about a
rupture with Eric, on account of the Cabinetsraethin, especially since
she had expressed herself strongly on the point of procuring the
as