Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/231

 I propose to remain.” No one could comprehend by what means the prisoner had returned to his dungeon, or got into his irons. Kunz, who wished to throw a veil over his last exploit, boldly affirmed that he was there by virtue of a power he possessed of passing at pleasure through locked doors and barred gates, and of putting off or on his irons just as he pleased. “For me,” said he, “there are neither bolts nor locks.” Touched with his apparent tractability, the magistracy commuted his punishment, only requesting him to trundle a wheelbarrow for the service of the King till he should think proper to slip off his irons, when he might go for good and all: but we have never heard that he took advantage of this obliging permission.

The Countess meantime, with her family, arrived safely and comfortably at Carlsbad. Scarcely had she alighted when she sent for the principal physician, to consult him as to her health, and the best mode of using the waters. In a quarter of an hour, there accordingly presented himself the celebrated Doctor Springsfeld, of Merseburg, who would scarcely have exchanged the golden waters of Carlsbad for those of Pactolus. “Welcome, dear Doctor,” cried mother and daughters, cordially. “You have preceded us, then,” said Mama? “We thought you were still with Lord Giantdale; but why, naughty man, did you conceal from us that you were the Bath physician?”