Pagina 374 van 788

The Apparitor gazed and listened-all was quiet-slowly he thrust

forward his hand through the hemp, and, separating the dense mass

of stalks, swam through the greenery as a fisherman dives beneath

the water. He raised his head-all was quiet-he stole up to the

windows-all was quiet-through the windows he surveyed the

interior of the mansion-all was empty. He stepped up on the

porch, not without terror, and undid the latch-all was empty as

in an enchanted house; he took out his summons, and read aloud

the notification. But suddenly he heard a clatter, and felt a

trembling of the heart, and wanted to run away; when from the

door there came towards him a person-luckily well known to him!

Robak! Both were surprised.