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The others were already asleep. Thaddeus wandered about the

hallway, pacing like a watchman near his uncle's door, for he had

to seek his counsel about important affairs, on that very day,

before he went to sleep. He did not dare to knock, for the Judge

had locked the door and was talking secretly with somebody;

Thaddeus awaited the end of the interview and pricked up his

ears.

From within he heard a sobbing; without touching the latch he

cautiously looked through the keyhole. He saw a marvellous thing!

The Judge and Robak were kneeling on the floor in each other's

embrace, and were weeping hot tears; Robak was kissing the

Judge's hands, while the Judge, weeping, embraced Robak around

the neck; finally, after a pause of a quarter of an hour in their

talk, Robak softly spoke these words:-156