Arrived at Prague, his first care was to hire
a modest lodging, and he then set to work to discover the house in
which the Count of Mansfeld was lying as a prisoner.
This he had no difficulty in doing without exciting suspicion, for
the count was a well known personage, and he soon found that he
and his family had apartments in a large house, the rest of which
was occupied by Imperialist officers and their families. There
was a separate entrance to the portion occupied by the count, and
a sentry stood always at the door.
The day after his arrival Malcolm watched the door from a distance
throughout the whole day, but none entered or came out. The next
morning he resumed his watch at a much earlier hour, and presently
had the satisfaction of seeing a woman in the attire of a domestic
issue from the door. She was carrying a basket, and was evidently
bent upon purchasing the supplies for the day. He followed her to
the market, and, after watching her make her purchases, he followed
her until, on her return, she entered a street where but few people
were about. There he quickened his pace and overtook her.
"You are the attendant of the Countess of Mansfeld, are you not?"
he said.
"I am," she replied; "but what is that to you?"
"I will tell you presently," Malcolm replied, "but in the first
place please inform me whether you are her only attendant, and in
the next place how long you have been in her service.
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