Presently they crossed the road. Bauer's lagging
steps indicated that he took no pleasure in the change of side,
but he could not resist.
"Ay, you shall go where I am going, my lad," said Rudolf
encouragingly; and he laughed a little as he looked down at the
fellow's face.
Along they went; soon they came to the small numbers at the
station end of the Konigstrasse. Rudolf began to peer up at the
shop fronts.
"It's cursed dark," said he. "Pray, lad, can you make out which
is nineteen?"
The moment he had spoken the smile broadened on his face. The
shot had gone home. Bauer was a clever scoundrel, but his nerves
were not under perfect control, and his arm had quivered under
Rudolf's.
"Nineteen, sir?" he stammered.
"Ay, nineteen. That's where we're bound for, you and I. There I
hope we shall find--what we want."
Bauer seemed bewildered: no doubt he was at a loss how either to
understand or to parry the bold attack.
"Ah, this looks like it," said Rudolf, in a tone of great
satisfaction, as they came to old Mother Holf's little shop.
"Isn't that a one and a nine over the door, my lad? Ah, and Holf!
Yes, that's the name. Pray ring the bell. My hands are occupied.
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