Then she said, in a quiet voice, "I am ready now," and taking up
the basket of tools she followed Malcolm down the stairs. Malcolm
opened the door, and as he did so Thekla dropped the basket.
"How stupid you are!" Malcolm exclaimed sharply. "How often have
I told you to be careful! You don't suppose that those fine tools
can stand being knocked about in that way without injury? Another
time an' you are so careless I will give you a taste of the strap,
you little rascal."
"What is all this?" the sentry asked, barring the way with his
pike, "and who are you who are issuing from this house with so much
noise? My orders are that none pass out here without an order from
the governor."
"And such an order have I," Malcolm said, producing the document.
"There's the governor's seal. I have been sent for to repair the
clock in the Count of Mansfeld's apartment, and a rare job it has
been."
The sentry was unable to read, but he looked at the seal which he
had been taught to recognize.
"But there is only one seal," he said, "and there are two of you."
"Pooh!" Malcolm said scornfully. "Dost think that when ten persons
are admitted to pass in together the governor puts ten seals
on the pass? You see for yourself that it is but a young boy, my
apprentice. Why, the governor himself left scarce an hour ago, and
was in the apartment with me while I was at work.
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