Let him go, Master Pointner. . . .”

Pointner withdrew his hand, and the young groom smiled again. “Just look at him,” he said. “That dog understands every blessed word! Look how he’s turning from me to you and you to me. . . . Yes, good old Cambyses, good dog, come along! . . .” And leaning forward, he stroked the dog’s back and patted him kindly on the breast, between his forelegs, as men fondle horses.

“There, just see how pleased he is,” he observed with a laugh, as he drew himself up. “There’s no need for a rope. Just call him kindly to you, and he’ll follow, and our gracious lord will be overjoyed that the dog is back again.”

“Come along!” cried the fat man sullenly and left the stable. “Come along, you sly rascal . . . !” And Lucas followed to heel.

The Archduke was sitting at breakfast with various gentlemen of his suite, when his Groom-of-the-Chamber entered. The dog behind him sprang into the room.

“Your Grace, the dog has come back!” said Pointner.

“Oh ho!” cried the Prince with a laugh. “Cambyses, come here! Where did you find him, Dietrich?”

“Lying in the stable as usual,” Pointner replied sullenly. “The rascal was sleeping as if nothing had happened.”

The Archduke shrugged his shoulders. “Oh well, so long as he’s back! Don’t you ever run away from me again, you vagabond!” he added, leaning forward and addressing the dog under the table. All the courtiers laughed.

But on the following day the dog disappeared again.

This time Lucas wandered about the woods on the snow-clad hills, in country that was quite strange to him. He made no attempt to return to Vienna, for it was clear that the city must now be too far away, and that it would be impossible for him to reach it from this hilly country in a day’s march. Moreover, he was beginning to see the futility of trying to escape. He set to work carefully to recapitulate all that had happened, and reach some decision which would enable him to face with greater confidence whatever the future held in store. But his fears constantly got the better of him. Twice he had scoured the countryside as a dog, and he knew by now, with all his senses fully awake, that it had been no dream. He had been lured away, over hill and down dale, away from the city to which it was impossible for him now to return. And he must perforce continue the journey. There had been a time when this had been the darling wish of his heart. In fact it was only three days ago, but now it seemed to be ages back, lost in the mists of time. And lo! his wish had been fulfilled so that it seemed nothing but a bitter mockery; it had been granted in such an unmerciful way as to debase him. He was harnessed to the life of a dog, forced to follow its tracks, and shivering with cold and trembling with hunger, was compelled to creep along whatever road the dog chose to take.

Toward nightfall Lucas was standing on the top of the hill looking on the lights beginning to twinkle in the little town far down below at his feet. Utterly exhausted, he remained rooted to the spot. It grew darker and darker. Presently, sitting down in the snow, he counted the chimes as they rang out from the church towers in the valley, and with resigned but breathless curiosity, awaited the transformation. It took place at midnight. He only just had time to hear the first stroke of the hour, when he felt a sudden shock, similar to the one he had experienced before, when he had been standing at his attic window. It fell on him before he could draw a single breath; he thought the ground was opening beneath his feet.