He had not seen me, for he was looking at No. 19 as intently as
Rischenheim. Apparently neither had caught sight of the other, or
Rischenheim would have shown some embarrassment, Bauer some
excitement. I wormed my way quickly towards my former servant. My
mind was full of the idea of getting hold of him. I could not
forget Bernenstein's remark, "Only Bauer now!" If I could secure
Bauer we were safe. Safe in what? I did not answer to myself, but
the old idea was working in me. Safe in our secret and safe in
our plan--in the plan on which we all, we here in the city, and
those two at the hunting-lodge, had set our minds! Bauer's death,
Bauer's capture, Bauer's silence, however procured, would clear
the greatest hindrance from its way.
Bauer stared intently at the house; I crept cautiously up behind
him. His hand was in his trousers' pocket; where the curve of the
elbow came there with a space between arm and body. I slipped in
my left arm and hooked it firmly inside his. He turned round and
saw me.
"Thus we meet again, Bauer," said I.
He was for a moment flabbergasted, and stared stupidly at me.
"Are you also hoping to see the king?" I asked.
He began to recover himself.
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