At this moment, she heard through the stillness loud shouts and cries,
first at a distance, then nearer and nearer, until they grew into a wild
tumult. Then many of the voices seemed to scatter in different directions
while some sounded as if approaching the garden. A vague fear seized
Gertrude. Three fellows shouting and calling, passed on the other side of
the hedge; she recognized one of the voices.

"Jost," she cried feebly, "Jost, what is it? where is Dietrich?"

There was no answer; Jost did not or would not, hear. He ran faster than
before, and the second fellow ran too. The last one paused a little; it
was Blasi. He said hastily:

"He isn't coming yet awhile. You can go to bed;" and was making off.

"Oh do tell me what has happened," said Gertrude, white with terror.
"Don't leave me so, but tell me, Blasi, why Dietrich hasn't come home with
the rest of you?"

Blasi had too much respect for Dietrich's mother to run away from her when
she put a direct question to him, although he would fain have escaped. He
came close to the hedge, and replied,

"There has been a row at the Rehbock. Two men were killed. Some one stole
the cattle dealer's money bag--"

"Is Dietrich killed? Speak out!" broke in Gertrude, trembling.

"No; he struck about him bravely, till one of the fellows got enough of
it, and lay dead on the ground; and then he made off."