clear amber liquid, and then drank it with evident
enjoyment.

"I had to go out before day this morning, all the way to Hochenbraud,"
said the doctor, as he drained the glass; then said, "Give me another,
for my twins." As he drank the second glass, he told the hostess that
he had that morning assisted at the advent of a pair of twins into the
world; two fine, healthy boys.

"It is curious that something very extraordinary is always happening
to Walderjoergli. His first great grandchildren are twins. It is a
blessing that this strong, upright race should go on growing. They are
honest-hearted men of the old primitive German type."

"They are shrewd, too," interposed the hostess. The physician went on
to say that the primitive Germans must have been crafty rascals, for
savages are always cunning.

"But where is our host?"

"Of course he has gone to the trial. There is an actual pilgrimage
to-day. As early as half-past three this morning we had sold a whole
keg of beer. The witnesses went on the express-train. There were men
and women from Berstingen, from Bieringen, from Zusmarsleiten, from
everywhere, who had nothing to do with the trial, but went from
curiosity. They wanted to see Landolin brought before the court. The
station-master says that when a man is on trial for his life the people
throng to see his distress. He thinks that people will spare neither
pains nor money to gratify their desire to see the misfortunes of
others. But the district-forester says that the people go more because
they long for something new to break in upon the monotony of every-day
life."

The cautious hostess gave this as a report, and not as an opinion of
her own.

As soon as the physician said: "Both are true," she cried:

"I am glad to hear you say so. It is pleasant when one gives medicine
to have the doctor come and say: 'that was right. I should have
prescribed that myself.' But I should like to ask you----"

"What is it?"

"Do you think it possible for Landolin to be acquitted?"

"With God and a jury all things are possible."

"Yes; but then, who killed Vetturi? For he is dead!"

"That question is not on the list."

The hostess went on to tell how Landolin's head-servant, Tobias, had
been talking that morning with every one, and cunningly instructing
them what to say. How he had said, with a laugh, that the life of such
a person as Vetturi was not of enough value to have a man like the
ex-bailiff imprisoned an ho