“We seem to be the whole show here, Gren,” said Anguish, as they sat down at one of the tables in the garden.

“I guess Americans are rare.”

“I’ve found one fellow who can speak German and French, and not one, except our guard who can talk English.  That clerk talks German fairly well.  I never heard such a language as these other people use.  Say, old man, we’d better make inquiry about our friends to-night.  That clerk probably won’t be on duty to-morrow.”

“We’ll ask him before we go to bed,” agreed Lorry, and upon leaving the brilliantly lighted garden they sought the landlord and asked if he could tell them where Caspar Guggenslocker lived.  He looked politely incredulous and thoughtful, and then, with profound regret, assured them he had never heard the name.  He said he had lived in Edelweiss all his life, and knew everybody of consequence in the town.

“Surely there must be such people here,” cried Lorry, almost appealingly.  He felt disheartened and cheated.  Anguish was biting his lips.

“Oh, possibly among the poorer classes.  If I were you, sir, I should call on Captain Dangloss, the Chief of Police.  He knows every soul in Edelweiss.  I am positive I have never heard the name.  You will find the Captain at the Tower to-morrow morning.”

The two Americans went to bed, one so dismayed by his disappointment that he could not sleep for hours.

VII

THE LADY IN THE CARRIAGE

They slept rather late in the morning, first because they were very much fatigued after their long journey, second for the reason that they had been unable to woo slumber until long past midnight.  Anguish stretched himself lazily in bed when he heard Lorry’s voice from the adjoining room.

“I suppose we are to consult the police in order to get a clue to your charmer,” he yawned.  “Nice friends you pickup on railway journeys.  I’d be ashamed.”

“Well, Harry, I’ll confess I’m disgusted.  This has been the most idiotic thing I’ve ever done, and if you say the word we’ll get out of here on the first train—­freight or passenger.  The Guggenslockers—­pigs!” Mr. Lorry was savage.

“Not a bit of it, my boy, not a bit of it.  We’ll make a house-to-house canvass if the police fail us.  Cheer up, cheer up!”

“You go to thunder!”

“Hold on!  Don’t talk like that, or I’ll go back on you in a minute.  I’m here because I choose to be, and I’ve more heart in the chase at this minute than you have.  I’ve not lost hope, We’ll find the Guggenslockers if we have to hire detectives to trace ’em from the United States to their very doorstep.  We’re going to see the police after breakfast.”

After breakfast they did go to see the Baron Dangloss.  After some inquiry they found the gloomy, foreboding prison, and Mr. Anguish boldly pounded on the huge gates.  A little shutter flew open, and a man’s face appeared.  Evidently he asked what was wanted, but he might as, well have demanded their lives, so far were they from understanding his query.