When the door closed the delegation separated into units,
and each went his own way. Roland, stepping out of the shadow, accosted
the rearmost man.
"Pardon me, mein Herr," he said, "but may I ask what ceremony is this in
which you have been taking part?"
The person accosted looked with some alarm at his questioner, but the
moonlight revealed a face singularly gentle and winning; a face that in
spite of its youth inspired instinctive confidence. The tone, too, was
very persuasive, and seemed devoid even of the offense of curiosity.
"'Tis no ceremony," said the delegate, "but merely the return home of
our friend, Herr Goebel."
"Has he, then, been on a journey?"
"Sir, you are very young, and probably unacquainted with Frankfort."
"I have lived here all my life," said Roland. "I am a native of
Frankfort."
"In that case," replied the other, "you show yourself amazingly ignorant
of its concerns; otherwise you would know that Herr Goebel is one of the
leading merchants of the city, a man honorable, enlightened, and
energetic--an example to us all, and one esteemed alike by noble or
peasant.
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