It galled him that the bailiff
should speak so disrespectfully, neither offering to shake hands, nor
rising; but he said with a forced smile:

"I only came to tell you, and you may announce it generally, that I
shall not be a candidate for councilman for this district at the
election; and that I resign my office of judge of the orphans' court."

"All right. I'll attend to it."

Landolin stared at the young bailiff. Is that the way to speak to him?
Must he put up with that? And not dare to get angry and give blow for
blow? Yes, Landolin; you are no longer feared. Curb your passions, and
learn to rule yourself.

After a long pause, during which Landolin struggled against his
indignation, he said abruptly:

"Good by."

"Good by," was the dry answer.

Landolin walked away, and the bailiff went on hammering his scythe. But
the strokes fell faster and faster; for he thought exultingly that he
had treated Landolin as he deserved, for having brought scandal and
dishonor upon the whole district. Had not Landolin acted as though he
could still lay claim to something? "Now, I think, he'll know what his
standing is."

But Landolin only knew that the whole world was hostile to him, and
begrudged him his life.

"Good evening, Mr. Ex-bailiff." Thus he was suddenly accosted.

He looked up and saw a rough-looking young man of sinewy make standing
before him, and taking off his hat. Disordered, bristly hair fell over
his forehead into the unquiet, black eyes, that wandered restlessly
here and there.

"Who are you?"

"The ex-bailiff does not remember me? I am Engelbert, the shepherd of
Gerlachseck. I have been waiting for you."

"For me?"

"You'll surely take me into service now."

"Where do you come from?"

"From down there."

The vagrant made a motion toward the plain. "I had three years. If my
master had been good to me, and had not prosecuted me----"

"So you are just out of the Penitentiary?"

The man nodded, and smiled in a confidential way.

"And why should I, in particular, take you?"

"Well, just because it is so. Of course, after this, your servants will
have an easy time. You'll get a new set throughout, and you'd better
have me to watch the rest."

The veins swelled on Landolin's forehead, but he concealed his
annoyance, laughed aloud, and called out in a commanding tone:

"March! How dare you speak to me so? Off with you, or----"

"Oho! So you want to murder another man. You can't finish me a