It has failed." The others shook, as with a sort of chill, and muttered those words over--"It has failed." "God has forsaken us." "It is true," said Seppi Wohlmeyer's father; "there is nowhere to look for help." "The people will realize this," said Nikolaus's father, the judge, "and despair will take away their courage and their energies.

We have indeed fallen upon evil times." He sighed, and Wohlmeyer said, in a troubled voice: "The report of it all will go about the country, and our village will be shunned as being under the displeasure of God.

The Golden Stag will know hard times." "True, neighbor," said my father; "all of us will suffer--all in repute, many in estate.

And, good God!--" "What is it ?" "That can come--to finish us!" "Name it--um Gottes Willen!" "The Interdict!" It smote like a thunderclap, and they were like to swoon with the terror of it.

Then the dread of this calamity roused their energies, and they stopped brooding and began to consider ways to avert it.