“Herr,” she said quietly, “I wish to pass.”

“That is possible, Gretchen.”

It was nine o’clock in the morning.  The Adlergasse was at this time deserted.

“Will you stand aside?”

“You have been haunting my dreams, Gretchen.”

“That would be a pity.  But I wish to pass.”

“Presently.  Do you know that you are the most beautiful being in all Dreiberg?”

“I am in a hurry,” said Gretchen.

“There is plenty of time.”

“Not to listen to foolish speeches.”

“I am not going to let you pass till I have had a kiss.”

“Ah!” Battle flamed up in Gretchen’s eyes.  Somewhere in the past, in some remote age, her forebears had been men-at-arms or knights in the crusades.

“You are very hard to please.  Some women—­”

“But what kind of women?” bitingly.  “Not such as I should care to meet.  Will you let me by peacefully?”

“After the toll, after the toll!”

Too late she started to run.  He laughed and caught hold of her.  Slowly but irresistibly he drew her toward his heart.  The dead-white of her face should have warned him.  With a supreme effort she freed herself and struck him across the face; and there was a man’s strength in the flat of her hand.  Quick as a flash she whirled round and ran up the street, he hot upon her heels.  He was raging now with pain and chagrin.  The one hope for Gretchen now lay in the Black Eagle; and into the tavern she darted excitedly.

“Fraeu Bauer,” she cried, gasping as much in wrath as for lack of breath, “may I come behind your counter?”

“To be sure, child.  Whatever is the matter?”

Wallenstein’s entrance was answer sufficient.  His hand, held against his stinging cheek, was telltale enough for the proprietress of the Black Eagle.

“Shame!” she cried.  She knew her rights.  She was not afraid to speak plainly to any officer in the duchy, however high he might be placed.

“I can not get at you there, Gretchen,” said the colonel, giving to his voice that venom which the lady’s man always has at hand when thwarted in his gallantries.  “You will have to come hence presently.”

“She shall stay here all day,” declared Fraeu Bauer decidedly.

“I can wait.”  The colonel, now possessing two smarts, one to his cheek and one to his vanity, made for the door.  But there was a bulk in the doorway formidable enough to be worth serious contemplation.

“What is going on here, little goose-girl?” asked the grizzled old man, folding his arms round his oak staff.

“Herr Colonel insulted me.”

“Insulted you?” The colonel laughed boisterously.  This was good; an officer insult a wench of this order!  “Out of the way!” he snarled at the obstruction in the doorway.

“What did he try to do to you, Gretchen?”

“He tried to kiss me!”

“The man who tries to kiss a woman against her will is always at heart a coward,” said the mountaineer.