alone at the corner of the Altstrasse, and the rain was beating
slantwise into his face.




CHAPTER IV.

THE COURT OF STURATZBERG



Ellerey's servant had fallen asleep on a settle, partly induced,
perhaps, by the liquor the empty tankard beside him had held, but he
started, wide awake on the instant, as his master entered. Ellery
expected him to remark upon his sorry condition, as he threw off his
cloak, but the man did not do so.

"There has been some rough handling in my neighborhood to-night,
Stefan."

"That's plain enough, Captain," was the answer. "They were good clothes,
too."

"And interest you more than the man inside them," said Ellerey, grimly.

"For the moment, yes. The man is unhurt, while the clothes are only
fit for the rag-shop or to be given to me."

"And, for choice, you would sooner have a corpse to deal with, so that