“That is, perhaps, the alarm-bell,” said the second monk; “the wind is against us; we could not hear the sound of the small bells.  I fear that is the alarm-bell.”

“Why should the Frankensteiners sound the alarm-bell, Brother Tobias?” said his companion, with a soft, incredulous smile.

“Why, Brother Anastasius, because the Austrians have possibly sent their advance guard to Frankenstein.  The Frankensteiners have sworn allegiance to the King of Prussia, and probably desire to keep this oath; they sound the alarm, therefore, to call the lusty burghers to arms.”

“And do you truly believe that the Austrians are so near us, Brother Tobias?”

“I do not believe—­I know it.  Before three days General Count Wallis will enter our cloister with his staff, and, in the name of Maria Theresa, command us to take the oath.”

“You can never forget that we were once Austrians, Brother Tobias.  Your eyes sparkle when you think that the Austrians are coming, and you forget that his excellency the Abbot Stusche is, with his whole heart, devoted to the King of Prussia, and that he will never again subject himself to Austrian rule.”

“He will be forced to it, Brother Anastasius.  The star of the Prussian king has declined; his war triumphs are at an end; God has turned away His face from him, because he is not a true Christian; he is, indeed, a heathen and an infidel.”

“Still, still, Brother Tobias! if the abbot heard you, he would punish you with twenty pater-nosters, and you know very well that praying is not the business of your choice.”

“It is true; I am fonder of war and politics.  I can never forget that in my youth I was a brave soldier, and have more than once shed my blood for Austria.  You will understand now why I am an Austrian.  I declare to you, I would cheerfully say thirty pater-nosters every day, if we could be once more subject to Austria.”

“Well, happily, there is no hope of that.”

“Happily, there is great hope of it.  You know nothing about it.  You read your holy prayers, you study your learned books, and take but little interest in the outward world.  I know all, hear all, take part in all.  I study politics and the world’s history, as diligently as you study the old Fathers.”

“Well, Brother Tobias, instruct me a little in your studies.  You are right; I care but little for these things, and I am heartily glad of it.  It grieves me to hear of the wrath and contentions of men.  God sent us into the world to live in peace and love with one another.”

“If that be so, why has God permitted us to discover gunpowder?” said Brother Tobias, whistling merrily.  “I say to you that by the power of gunpowder and the naked sword Silesia will soon be in possession of the faithful believer Maria Theresa.  Is it not manifest that God is with her?  The devil in the beginning, with the help of the Prussian king and his wild army, did seem more powerful than