Judith nodded assentingly, as if Blasi's information confirmed her own
suspicions.

"Here, Blasi, here's a little something for you. Now I want you to tell me
exactly how this thing happened, from the very beginning; and don't leave
out a single thing. I want to hear the whole story, connectedly."

"You may be sure I will," said Blasi, weighing the silver piece which
Judith had given him affectionately in his hand. "You see they were all
together in the little back room at first; the red-haired man and Jost and
Dietrich, and when I went in I noticed at once that something had happened
that our two didn't like; for Dietrich sat with his elbows on the table
and his head in his hands, and Jost was swearing roundly. Presently Jost
said, 'We will double our bets, Dietrich, and perhaps the luck will turn.'
Dietrich, only groaned. Then the red-haired fellow said, 'Come, let's go
down and play cards with the cattle-dealer, and take a glass of something
that will raise your spirits.'"

"Dietrich never used to gamble; nor to drink when he was not thirsty;"
cried Judith angrily.

"Pooh! When every one is playing cards, a fellow can't hold off and say he
won't join, and as for the drink, Dietrich has washed down a good deal of
vexation with it lately, and he took it powerfully too, I can tell you.
Well, the play began, and it went on fast. I noticed that the red man
looked mightily pleased, and urged them all on, and the louder the
cattle-dealer scolded, the more the red man filled up his glass. When the
quarrel came to blows, I heard the red-head call out to the
cattle-dealer, 'Come over here, you'll soon silence them,' So he kept