From this watch-tower we shall command a view of the far
distance all round. The passes of the Rhethal, of Steinbach, Koche Plate,
and of the whole line of the Black Forest are under our eye. Let the Jew
pedlars and the dealers beware!' And the noble fellows did what they
promised. Hugh the Wolf was at their head. Knapwurst told me all about it
sitting up one night."
"Who is Knapwurst?"
"That little humpback who opened the gate for us. He is an odd fellow,
Fritz, and almost lives in the library."
"So you have a man of learning at Nideck?"
"Yes, we have, the rascal! Instead of confining himself to the porter's
lodge, his proper place, all the day over he is amongst the dusty books
and parchments belonging to the family. He comes and goes along the
shelves of the library just like a big cat. Knapwurst knows our story
better than we know it ourselves. He would tell you the longest tales,
Fritz, if you would only let him. He calls them chronicles--ha, ha!"
And Sperver, with the wine mounting a little into his head, began to
laugh, he could hardly say why.
"So then, Gideon, you call this tower, Hugh's tower the Hugh Lupus
tower?"
"Haven't I told you so already? What are you so astonished at?"
"Nothing particular.
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