ur for it. Tobias wanted to pay for what
they all drank; but--and as she told the story, the hostess' face
became a flaming red--she had declared that each person must order her
to take pay from Tobias for him; then it would be known what was to be
thought of him and what might follow later. Some of them seemed to be
frightened at this hint.

The doctor laughed and replied that the rich farmer thought money would
do everything; and his son Peter, instigated by his father of course,
had offered to sell him their fine horse at a third of its value. They
wanted him to testify that Vetturi, who had suffered from severe
illness ever since his childhood, was weak and easily injured; so that
a fall on level ground might have killed him.

"I am sorry for Thoma," began the hostess. "She was such a stately,
fresh-hearted girl; and how well she and the miller, Anton, were suited
to one another. He, too, was here this morning. He is one of the
witnesses, but he staid in the garden, and kept looking at the medal of
honor on his breast. Do you think the trial will be finished in one
day?"

The physician could give no opinion, and the hostess continued:

"Our dear good Madame Pfann was going to Landolin's house to spend this
sad day with his wife and Thoma. I advised her not to go now. They will
need her soon enough.

"I don't believe there is another pure soul like hers in the world.
Why, she finds something pure hidden even in a man like Landolin. Our
Madame Pfann is a woman such as they had in the time of the Apostles."

"Bravo!" cried the doctor, "I have seen a rare wonder: one woman
unreservedly praising another."

"Yes; who can know the judge's wife and not praise her? But she seeks
neither praise nor thanks from anybody."

"She needs none. He to whom nature has given the blessing of such a
good heart is the possessor of all human good."

The telegraph messenger came into the garden, and handed the physician
a dispatch.

"I've got it now," cried the physician, when he had read it. "When does
the next express train leave?"

"In seven minutes."

The physician explained to her that the defendant had called for his
oral opinion. He left word for his wife that he was called away, and
hastened to the station, where he met Thoma, just coming in.

"Are you going too?" asked he.

"No; I just want to send word to my brother to telegraph me the
decision as soon as it is announced."

"I will attend to that for you."

T