Page:Hans of Iceland (1891).djvu/58

48 versed, was fastened under the shield, and two fragments of a hand of Justice, tied crosswise, completed the strange ornamentation. The old man was Schumacker.

"No, my Lord," replied the officer; then he said to the stranger, "This is the prisoner;" and leaving them to- gether, he closed the door, without heeding the shrill voice of the old man, who exclaimed : " If it is not the captain, I will see no one."

At these words the stranger remained by the door ; and the prisoner, thinking himself alone, for he had turned away, fell back into his silent revery. Suddenly he exclaimed: "The captain has assuredly forsaken and betrayed me! Men, men are like the icicle which an Arab took for a diamond; he hid it carefully in his wallet, and when he looked for it again he found not even a drop of water."

"I am no such man," said the stranger.

Schumacker rose quickly. " Who is here ? "Who overhears me ? Is it some miserable tool of that Guldienlew?"

" Speak no evil of the viceroy, my lord Count."

"Lord Count! Do you address me thus to flatter me ? You have your labor for your pains ; I am powerful no longer."

"He who speaks to you never knew you in your day of power, and is none the less your friend."

"Because he still hopes to gain something from me : those memories of the unhappy which linger in the minds of men are to be measured by the hopes of future gain."

"I am the one who should complain, noble Count; for