There were no further objections to be offered when Henry, with great willingness, placed his broad shoulders at the doctor’s service.

The doctor hastily thrust what was necessary into a bag, locked the money Marie had given him in a drawer, bade Frau Zsuzsa remain awake until he returned, and clambered on Henry’s back.  In one hand he held his umbrella, in the other the lantern; and thus the little company took their way to the castle—­the “double man” in advance, the little maid following with her umbrella.

The doctor had sufficient cause to be excited.  What usurious gossip-interest might be collected from such a capitol!  Dr. Tromfszky already had an enviable reputation in the county, but what would it become when it became known that he was physician in ordinary to the Nameless Castle?

The rain was not falling so heavily when they arrived at the castle.

Marie and Henry at once conducted the doctor to Ludwig’s chamber.  Henry first thrust his head cautiously through the partly open door, then whispered that his master was still tossing deliriously about on the bed; whereupon the doctor summoned courage to enter the room.  His first act was to snuff the candle, the wick having become so charred it scarcely gave any light.  He could now examine the invalid’s face, which was covered with a burning flush.  His eyes rolled wildly.  He had not removed his clothes, but had torn them away from his breast.

“H’m! h’m!” muttered the doctor, searching in his bag for his bloodletting instruments.  Then he approached the bed, and laid his fingers on the invalid’s pulse.

At the touch of his cold hand the patient suddenly sat upright and uttered a cry of terror: 

“Who are you?”

“I am the doctor—­the county physician—­Dr. Tromfszky.  Pray, Herr Count, let me see your tongue.”

Instead of his tongue, the count exhibited a powerful fist.

“What do you want here?  Who brought you here?” he demanded.

“Pray, pray be calm, Herr Count,” soothingly responded the doctor, who was inclined to look upon this aggressive exhibition as a result of the fever.  “Allow me to examine your pulse.  We have here a slight paroxysm that requires medical aid.  Come, let me feel your pulse; one, two—­”

The count snatched his wrist from the doctor’s grasp, and cried angrily: 

“But I don’t need a doctor, or any medicine.  There is nothing at all the matter with me.  I don’t want anything from you, but to know who brought you here.”

“Beg pardon,” retorted the offended doctor.  “I was summoned, and came through this dreadful storm.  I was told that the Herr Count was seriously ill.”

“Who said so?  Henry?” demanded the count, rising on one knee.

Henry did not venture to move or speak.

“Did you fetch this doctor, Henry?” again demanded the invalid, with expanded nostrils, panting with fury.