In the court there was the groom who had driven him,
still rubbing down his horses and setting things to rights before going
inside to warm himself. The man was the same who had brought Greif the
news at Schwarzburg, a devoted fellow, born and bred on the estate,
unlike the house servants who had been changed so often.
'Karl,' said Greif, going up to him, 'you must harness and drive me
back to Greifenstein at once. I am sorry for you, but I am too ill to
stay here. I will walk down the road--come after me as soon as you
can.'
There was nothing to be done but to obey the simple order. Karl looked
surprised but lost no time, especially as Greif was already going out
of the gate. In a trice the collars were on the horses again, the
traces hitched, the reins unwound, and Karl was seated upon the box. He
was glad for himself, though he thought it a very long pull for the
horses. The road went downhill over most of the way, however, and
Karl reflected that when his master was once in the carriage behind
him, he could drive as slowly as he pleased. Just as he was ready, Frau
von Sigmundskron and Hilda appeared upon the threshold of the hall,
both looking pale and anxious. They had found Greif gone from the
sitting-room and had at first imagined that he had lost his way in the
house; but Hilda's quick ears caught the sounds that came from the
court and she knew that the groom was putting the horses in.
'What is that?' asked Hilda, addressing the groom.
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