peacefully, and have not said a word about
freeing the prisoners." Saying this he got down and disappeared within
the tavern, where Xylander laughingly greeted him. His audience
followed his example and dispersed. At the same time the trotting of
horses was heard, and an officer's guard of infantry moreover appeared
on the Burgway, coming towards the town at the double. Immediately the
crowd in the other squares began to break up, at first hesitatingly,
growling, and slowly, then by degrees quicker, and when the soldiers
appeared they found the market place deserted and empty, and only
laughing faces were seen at the windows above looking down at the
horses' tails, as they disappeared round the corner of the
Heiligengeist towards the Hauptstrasse.

Erastus had taken refuge from the surging crowd in the gable house
opposite the church, and resolved to leave Lydia in the care of the
owner, his French friend Belier, till he had made further inquiries.
Herr Belier was one of those industrious Huguenots, who had founded new
businesses in the places to which they had immigrated and had acquired
a fortune through unwearied toil. The master of the house, a tall
distinguished looking man, whose moustachios reminded one of Henry the
Bearnais (IV.), and his small plump wife, greeted their beloved
physician with evident pleasure. "Can you tell me what all this means?
Three of the Clergy imprisoned, one a fugitive, the people embittered
against strangers, cavalry in all the streets, houses searched
everywhere," asked the energetic Frenchman, whilst his wife
affectionately drew Erastus' daughter with her to the window.

"Look at this crowd, dear child," she said. "Did you ever before see
Heidelberg in such a state of excitement?"

"I wished to hear the news from you, Herr Belier," answered Erastus.
"Let us go over to the Hirsch, there we can certainly ascertain."

"I do not visit taverns," said Belier with a polite but negative motion
of the hand.

"Good, then I will take that sin on myself," laughed Erastus, "take
care of my child, I shall soon be back."

Whilst Herr Belier accompanied Erastus downstairs and then returned to
his study, Lydia remained at the window with the lively Frenchwoman.
She felt very sad, and would have wished to be alone so as to have a
good cry. All this misery had been caused by the horrid man, who had
wished to drag her to destruction, and against whom she nevertheless
felt herself to be defenceless