"It is another murder, sir, at the old town councilor's, Albernass; and this time they have made a clear house of it."
"God preserve us! Has a curse been pronounced upon this city?
What can be done? What are the magistrates going to do?"
"I don't know, sir. I have orders to run to the Black Friars, where another meeting is gathering. Shall I say you will attend, sir?"
"Yes—no—stop a little. No matter, you may go on; I'll follow immediately."
I went instantly to Maximilian's room. He was lying asleep on a sofa, at which I was not surprised, for there had been a severe stag chase in the morning. Even at this moment I found myself arrested by two objects, and I paused to survey them. One was Maximilian himself. A person so mysterious took precedency of other interests even at a time like
