But, though without any fear that the noble girl would stoop to listen, the student related the rest with a cautious voice.  Others might not be so delicate.

“You have a great heart,” said Daniels, when he heard of the rescue of the major from the frigid slab of the morgue.  “To do this for an enemy is lofty conduct.  God grant that you have not met one of those monsters of ingratitude whom a kind act embitters.  But it would hardly appear that he could survive the beating by Baboushka’s gang, the ill usage from the street sweepers and that of the ghouls of the dead-house.  All this makes me tremble for the plan I formed to have you conveyed hence in a chaise.  I have the papers to cover your departure as a clerk whom a business firm of good standing are sending out to Buenos Ayres.  Once at Hamburg, you may turn your face in any direction you desire.  But the slayer of Major Von Sendlingen would not be able to cross the French or Italian frontier.”

“For a man intending to see Italy, that would be taking me greatly out of the road,” muttered Claudius, sinking into a chair.

“Then go as far as Ulm only, where you will let the train proceed without you.  Send for a doctor whose address I will give you and I answer for his helping you to get into Switzerland.  After all, that will be better.  But I see that you are weak with your exertions and want of proper nourishment.”

“It is rest I most need.”

“Then stretch yourself on this sofa, and let me cover you with a traveling-rug.  When you awake, refreshments will be at hand.”

“But you, whom I deprive of rest?”

“It is true that anxiety about you, my young friend, has prevented me lying down, but I am not desirous of sleep now.  Do as I tell you.  I will countermand the chaise, and return with the food.  This house is not a famous inn, but my coreligionists, who are traveling merchants, frequent it, and the edibles are good.  As for the honesty of the servants and of the host, I guarantee it.  Unless you have been dogged to the door, I believe you are safe.”

Claudius said that he seemed not to have been followed.  At the house, a patrolman had caught a glimpse of him but the ostler had jestingly turned him off and quieted his suspicions.  Before his host had reached the door, where he paused to look back, the young man was nodding with eyes closing in spite of his will, and he was soon steeped in slumber.

“The sleep on the night before execution,” muttered the Jew.  “This is a sad matter!  That Baboushka is a witch of malevolence, or I am woefully misinformed, and the major an awkward antagonist.  I would a thousand miles separated my daughter, and this young man, from both of them.”

In the lobby he saw a young girl, with her hair in curl-papers and a candle in her hand, descending the stairs from above.

“Ah, Hedwig,” he said gently, “I am not sorry you have risen so early.”  The girl blushed.