“He has been among us since the turn of the day, mein Herr, and is now in conference with those you have just named, on matters connected with the object of your common visit.”

“He is an honest magistrate! and like ourselves, Master Sigismund, he comes of the pure German root, which is a foundation to support merit, though it might better be said by another.  Had he a comfortable ride?”

“I have heard no complaint of his ascent.”

“’Tis well.  When the magistrate goes forth to do justice, he hath a right to look for a fair time.  All are then comfortable;—­the noble Genoese, the honorable Melchior, and the worthy Chatelain.—­And Jacques Colis?”

“You know his unhappy fate, Herr Bailiff,” returned Sigismund briefly; for he was a little vexed with the other’s phlegm in a matter that so nearly touched his own feelings.

“If I did not know it, Herr Steinbach, dost think I should now be here, instead of preparing for a warm bed near the great square of Vevey?  Poor Jacques Colis!  Well, he did the ceremonies of the abbaye an ill turn in refusing to buckle with the headsman’s daughter, but I do not know that he at all deserved the fate with which he has met.”

“God forbid that any who were hurt, and that perhaps not without reason, by his want of faith, should think his weakness merited a punishment so heavy!”

“Thou speakest like a sensible youth, a very Sensible youth—­ay, and like a Christian, Herr Sigismund,” answered Peterchen, “and I approve of thy words.  To refuse to wive a maiden and to be murdered are very different offences, and should not be confounded.  Dost think these Augustines keep kirschwasser among their stores?  It is strong work to climb up to their abode, and strong toil needs strong drink.  Well, should they not be so provided, we must make the best of their other liquors.  Herr Sigismund, do me the favor to lend me thy arm.”

The bailiff now alighted with stiffened limbs, and, taking the arm of the other, he moved slowly toward the building.

“It is damnable to bear malice, and doubly damnable to bear malice against the dead!  Therefore I beg you to take notice that I have quite forgotten the recent conduct of the deceased in the matter of our public games, as it becomes an impartial and upright judge to do.  Poor Jacques Colis!  Ah, death is awful at any time, but it is tenfold terrible to die in this sudden manner, posthaste as it were, and that, too, on a path where we put one foot before the other with so much bodily pain.  This is the ninth visit I have made the Augustines, and I cannot flatter the holy monks on the subject of their roads, much as I wish them well.  Is the reverend clavier back at his post again?”

“He is, and has been active in taking the usual examinations.”

“Activity is his strong property, and he needs be that, Herr Steinbach, who passeth the life of a mountaineer.  The noble Genoese, and my ancient friend Melchior, and his fair daughter the beautiful Adelheid, and the equitable Chatelain, thou sayest, are all fairly reposed and comfortable?”