CHAPTER V.
UPON UNSAFE PATHS.
After this evening, Dietrich was scarcely ever able to go on his walkalone. Blasi had always some pretext for joining him, and when Jost foundout that regularly every evening his friend took the same walk at the samehour, he too discovered that he had a great deal to tell him, and toconsult him about. The two accompanied him through the wood, and when theyemerged from it on the other side, they usually saw a graceful figurecoming along the white road that led up the hill from Fohrensee. Thenwithout a word on the subject, as by tacit agreement, they stopped, shookhands, and separated; the other two turned back toward the village, andDietrich went on. They felt instinctively that this was the best thing todo. Dietrich, certainly, found out that his companions were not toVeronica's mind, when one evening, the three being so engaged in talk thatthey had not noticed that they were later than usual, Veronica came intothe wood before they left it, and she recognized Blasi and Jost, althoughthey turned quickly back.
"They can't have the best of consciences," said Veronica, as Dietrichjoined her; "if they had only straight-forward business on hand, why didthey take themselves off so hastily, as soon as I came in sight?"
"Can't you understand that we may have something to talk about, that wedo not wish you to hear?" asked Dietrich.
The girl was silent a few moments, and then she said, rather seriously,
"It would suit me far better, if you were not so much in company withthose two fellows. Blasi is absolutely idle, and cannot be nice, and Jostis really bad; you can see that in his face. He never dares to look mefull in the eye; he always avoids a direct glance, as if he feared thathis eyes would betray him. I believe he is thoroughly false."
"No, no, you should not judge him so harshly," said Dietrich,good-humoredly. "He is not what you think him; he is a good friend to me,and has already taught me a great deal that I should never have got atwithout his help. He is a very clever fellow."
Veronica let the matter drop, but it was plain that she had not changedher opinion.
The days grew longer and brighter. The wood was filled with sweeterperfumes evening after evening, as the two friends sauntered along theirhomeward path, and in each young heart the feeling grew and ripened, thatstill sweeter and more beautiful days were to come.
One afternoon in May, Veronica paced leisurely along the white hill-road,her eyes fixed on the tall oak on the borders of the wood, which markedthe place where the foot-path came out upon the high road. Everything wasquiet; not a human being in sight. She reached the spot and lookedanxiously into the wood. She listened; she peered between the trees; allwas solitude. The tree-tops, softly murmuring, rocked gently to and fro,and through the branches she saw the sunset glow. For the first time, theyoung girl entered the wood alone. It was quite dark, in there. She passedalong with rapid step, among the solemn pines, hastening faster andfaster, as the trees seemed to draw together about her. When she came outupon the open pathway, she saw Dietrich coming across the field in hothaste. He was breathless when he reached her.
"I don't like to have you come alone through the wood, Veronica," he said,"I thought I should be in time, but I could not get rid of those twofellows. I tried to get away two or three times, but they always hadsomething more to say, and kept me."
"Where were you, Dietrich?"
"They had some business with me; that is, Jost had something to tell me,and Blasi was there too. Jost did not care to speak of it on the openstreet, and so we went into the Rehbock; and that is what made me so late.Why, what's the matter, Veronica? Are you ill?"
She was as pale as a ghost.
"What! You've been to the Rehbock, Dietrich!" she exclaimed in evidentdistress. "Oh, don't go there! Please don't go to that place again!"
"Oh, now we are to have the old story over again, are we?" said the youngman, laughing, "you have taken some foolish whim into your head; youreally don't know why yourself. What's your prejudice against that housein particular?"
"I do know why; and it is no whim," said Veronica, earnestly. "I will tellyou all about it. That house has been a terror to me ever since I canremember anything. We were both so young that you probably do notrecollect it at all. We both went with mother to the doctor's, but youdidn't go into the house, I remember now. Mother told the doctor that myfather was killed at the Rehbock. I have never forgotten it since. I amconstantly seeing him lying dead before my eyes; lying there struck downdead. I often dream about it, and in my dreams I am there--and--andsometimes when I look at his dead form in my dreams, it is not my fatherany more, but it is you--you, Dietrich, whom they have struck down dead atthe Rehbock."
Dietrich was going to laugh at these words, but he glanced into Veronica'sface and was silent. She was more in earnest than he had thought. He triedto quiet and reassure her, by saying that it was only a dream, and nothingto be afraid of. The dream came naturally enough, because she was alwaysdwelling upon the tragedy of her father's death, and in dreams every oneknows that faces are always changing. His explanation, however, did notmake much impression upon Veronica. She said no more about it; but not allDietrich's efforts were sufficient to chase the shadows from her face thatevening, although he exerted himself to be even more amusing than usual.Gertrude observed her silence, as they sat about the table, and lookedanxiously at her. When they had separated for the night, Dietrich wentinto his mother's room to have a talk with her. He told her what Veronicahad said, and begged her to reason with the young girl and urge her to layaside these groundless fears which had taken possession of her. Herepresented to his mother, that of course he sometimes had things to talkover with his companions, and that there surely was no harm in their goingto the Rehbock together for their conversations, and he begged her to makeVeronica see the whole affair in a reasonable light. Gertrude was shockedto find that the child had heard and understood what she had said to thedoctor, and distressed that she had taken it so much to heart. Shepromised to speak to Veronica, but she also cautioned her son againstforming an intimacy with Jost and Blasi. Dietrich cheerfully gave hisword; declaring that he was not particularly fond of their company. Themother, however, on further consideration, decided to say nothing on thesubject to Veronica, for she thought the whole thing would be the soonerforgotten if not spoken of, and she believed it unwise to stir up theterrors of the past.
The next afternoon, Dietrich left home much earlier than usual, determinednot to be belated again, and hoping to escape altogether his too insistentcompanions. But scarcely had he reached the garden gate when he came uponBlasi, who was lying in wait for him. Dietrich tried to pass him quickly,and to show him that his company was not desired, but in vain Blasi hadnot been waiting round half an hour to be turned off like that. Heexplained that he was in worse trouble than ever to-day, and wished toborrow more money than ever before; promising, of course, to pay it backvery soon; "that is, as soon as possible," he added.
"Oh yes, well, when will it be possible, I wonder. How much have you paidme back, as yet, since you began to borrow of me?" said Dietrich angrily."Let me go, Blasi, I've no time to spare."
But Blasi went along by his side, and before he had done talking, Jostjoined them and held Dietrich fast by the other arm.
"Come, come," he cried, "I have something to tell you that will make youopen your eyes, I guess. I came in a hurry on purpose not to miss you.I've just come from the Rehbock, and I told them to keep the little backroom for us, so that we can talk quietly, without danger of beinginterrupted. Come along, I say."
"I will not," said Dietrich, freeing his arm from the other's detaininggrasp. "I haven't time, and I don't believe you have anything special totell me, either. I must go." And Dietrich strode away; but Jost followedhim.
"Don't be such a fool," he called out angrily, "can't you listen when Itell you that I know something decidedly to your advantage. Something thatyou'll be glad to know. You are running away because of her, and it issomething that will be good for her as well as for you. So do stand still,and do
n't go scampering off as if the gamekeepers were after you!" ButDietrich did not stop.
"What do you know about her, or her good?" he asked furiously. "Mind yourown business and let us alone."
As Jost had his own interest in winning the young fellow over, hecontrolled himself, and said in most soothing tones,
"Dietrich, I am your friend. Some day you will be very grateful to me. Asyou are in such a hurry, I will not stop you now; only promise me to comeover bye-and-bye for a few minutes to the Rehbock; there's a good fellow,and you will not be sorry. Will you come?"
"Well, I've no particular objection to that," said Dietrich, and ran offas fast as he could.
Blasi, who had kept pace with the other two, seeing that there was nochance for him now, turned back with Jost, and the two went into theRehbock together.
Dietrich met Veronica quite the other side of the wood. He did his best torouse her from her silent mood, and to restore her to better spirits; buthe found it impossible to efface the impression she had received theevening before. The painful memory had been too deeply stamped upon hermind, to be easily wiped out.
When the little family had bade each other good-night, after their usualaffectionate conversation, Dietrich hesitated about keeping his half-madepromise. He did not want to go; yet Jost's words, that the affair touchedher as nearly as it did him, had made their intended impression, andthough it went sadly against his grain to know that Jost dared even tothink about Veronica and her interests at all, still he could not helpwondering what it was all about. Suddenly his resolution was taken; heturned about, went down stairs and softly left the house.
Jost was standing in the doorway of the Rehbock, looking out into thenight to see if Dietrich was coming. They went at once into the littleback room. Blasi was there, sitting behind a big empty bowl; indeed henever sat long behind a full one, for as the bowl was there to be emptiedhe thought the quicker it was done the better.
"I'm glad you have come," he cried out, "for we've run quite dry here."
Dietrich perceived that he was expected to counteract the dryness; so heordered some beer, and when this was supplied Jost began in a cautioustone,
"I have something to say to you, Dietrich, that I don't care for thoseoutside to hear. Blasi can stay, because he is our comrade."
"And because he can be made useful," said Dietrich readily, for he knew ofold that Jost was in the habit of rushing Blasi forward, where he did notdare to go himself.
"I don't know about that," said Jost, "but now listen to me. Do you knowhow a fellow who hasn't so much as a penny in his purse, can in one nightget enough to build a big stone house, like the one the landlord of thelion has in Fohrensee, and make himself a gentleman all at once? I knowhow; I know somebody who has explained it all to me, and I tell you,Dietrich, you have only to say the word, and you can do the same, and giveup the whole saddler's business. You can afford to risk something; you'renot stupid; and with you it will all go right in a twinkling."
"Do you mean by card-playing?" asked Dietrich rather contemptuously, forhe had made up his mind about that long ago.
"No indeed, something very different. It is done on paper. You havenothing to do but put some money down, and you can win two or three timesas much in no time."
"And lose _four_ times, I suppose?"
"There's no losing about it;" said Jost confidently, "You're sure to winin the end, if you keep on long enough. It doesn't signify if you do losea little at first--you can afford to wait."
"I think my trade is surer of winning;" said Dietrich.
"Oh yes, sure enough!" said Jost scornfully. "It is a pretty sight to seea fellow like you, sitting there year after year on the saddler's bench,scraping all the skin off his hands; and with all the income you have,too! why in ten years you won't have as much as will build you a housesuch as you want, and it would take ten years more to become a gentleman;and she'd like it a great deal better to have something nice now, and notwait till she is fifty years old."
Dietrich was red with anger.
"What business is it of yours to be forever thinking and talking abouther?" he blazed out. "You have no concern with her whatever; just keepyourself to what you're fit for."
"Why do go on as you do?" asked Jost with a knowing wink. "Do you supposeit never enters anybody's head to ask why you keep on working and delvingas if you liked it? Can't we guess who you're doing it all for?"
"And it's not at all out of the way to be thinking about her, either,"interposed Blasi, "there's another ready enough to do that if there wereany chance for him," and he winked significantly at Jost. Jost took nonotice of the insinuation, but went on, addressing himself to Dietrich.
"There's no danger for you in this plan. We will share losses and gainsalike, and if we do not like it we can leave off when ever we choose. ButI don't see why we shouldn't like it, when we can earn so much with solittle trouble, and without working from morning till night. There goessomebody now, who has all he wants, I should like to be in his place!"
A wagon was rattling by as he spoke, and its occupant was urging thegalloping horse faster and faster along the road.
"That's the doctor," said Dietrich, looking out; "he has had to work hardenough and is still at it. He must be going to visit a very sick patient;he would not be driving at that rate for anything else. It is late for theold gentleman to be out."
"Work!" said Jost, "well, I speak for that kind of work; sitting in achaise behind a horse. It's another part of speech to have to work withone's hands, as we do."
"The doctor has to work with his hands too, I'm sure of that. And besides,we have our evenings to ourselves, while he may be kept at it till eleveno'clock at night, as he is this evening, and later."
"Oh drop all this stupid talk and give us an answer; yes or no. Will yoube a fool and go on pricking your fingers over your work, or will you joinme and have things comfortable without working at all? Anybody but youwould be grateful to me for the chance I offer you. I came to you with itbecause of our old friendship. I know plenty of fellows who would jump atthe chance. You can think it over till tomorrow, and then I'm sure you'llbe glad to accept. I'll meet you here to-morrow evening, and bring someone with me who will explain it all clearly."
Dietrich agreed to think about it till to-morrow, and now, in highgood-humor and increasing confidence in the coming good-fortune, he helpedBlasi and Jost to empty the bowl, in a toast to the success of their newprojects.
It was Veronica's habit to work on her embroidery for some time aftergoing up to her bedroom, and this evening she was so much interested inher work, that she did not observe the flight of time, until she heard theclock strike one. She put by her sewing, and hastened to prepare for bed,as she must be up and stirring again by five o'clock. Presently she heardthe outer door opened softly, and then closed from the inside. She blewout her light and gently opened her bed-room door. The moon lighted up thepassageway with a faint beam. Some one came stealing up the staircase withnoiseless steps. She saw that it was Dietrich. He went cautiously into hisroom and closed his door.
Veronica shut her door, and sat down upon her bed. All the blood seemed torush to her heart and she could not stir. She knew in a moment thatDietrich, whom she had believed to be asleep long ago, had been visitingin secret the hated Rehbock. She sat some minutes motionless on her bed,in a kind of dull pain. Then she arose slowly, lighted her lamp again,took out her work and with nervous fingers drove on her needle, which flewfaster and faster through the white cloth. She did not sleep at all thatnight.
Nor did Dietrich fall asleep easily. His thoughts were busy and he couldnot come to any decision. What should he do?
If he could become rich at once, without working any more, why shouldn'the do it? Would it be best to consult his mother? No, that would upseteverything. He was sure that his mother was too firmly wedded to the oldideas about ways of getting a living, to listen to any new-fangled methodsof making money without work.
And Veronica?
; Certainly not Veronica, who valued work above everything, and who indeedloved it so well, that she could not imagine that any one should ever wishto escape it.
But if he were successful, both his mother and Veronica would profit byhis good fortune as much as himself. Why couldn't he go on with his ownplans in his own way? Why need he ask leave of Veronica?
Before he slept, Dietrich had decided to meet Jost the next evening, andclose with his offer.
When Gertrude came down stairs early in the morning, she found thebreakfast ready, and Veronica dressed to go out.
"Wait just a moment," said the mother, "Dietrich will be down directly; Ihear him coming."
"I must be off," replied Veronica. She went towards the door, but turnedbefore going out. Her cheeks were flaming.
"Mother," she said, and her voice trembled, "in God's name, forbid him togo to that dreadful place. He did not come home till one o'clock lastnight." And she vanished. Gertrude gazed after her in surprise.
When Dietrich came down, he asked in his usual bright fashion, afterVeronica, and when his mother with some anxiety told him what the girl hadsaid, he made his explanation with such a frank, unembarrassed manner,that her fears were quieted; for it was plain that he had nothing upon hisconscience. He said that he knew his mother would approve of his helping afriend in need, and not the less if in so doing he should also helphimself. It was a scheme of this kind that he had been talking over, thenight before. Jost had to work very hard to make both ends meet, andDietrich thought that if by putting some money into his scheme, he couldhelp his old acquaintance to more profit with less labor, and at the sametime gain by it himself, his mother would be the last to blame him.
Gertrude was a soft-hearted woman. She answered her son that if there wasnothing wrong about this business, it was certainly a good thing to helpJost, who had received nothing from his father, not even tools for histrade, and who had seemed to have everything against him.
"With you it was very different, my boy," she said in conclusion. "Yourfather left you an excellent business, and if you continue to work as youhave done, you will be very well off in a few years. How kindly the goodGod has dealt with us, my son! We may hope for many happy days together!"
He agreed with her cordially, but he thought it as well not to unfold hisplans to her any farther. He said to himself that he was not going to doanything wrong, certainly not; but his mother's ideas were a littleold-fashioned, and she wouldn't understand his schemes. He would surpriseher with his success.