His own heart too grew lighter while engaged in designing or executing many an artistic piece of work.

He sometimes went to the city to buy iron or coals, but usually avoided any intercourse with the citizens, who shrugged their shoulders or pointed to their foreheads, when they spoke of him.
About a year after his removal he had occasion to speak to the file-cutter, and sought him at the Lamb, where a number of Count Frolinger's retainers were sitting.

Adam took no notice of them, but they began to jeer and mock at him.

For a time he succeeded in controlling himself, but when red-haired Valentine went too far, a sudden fit of rage overpowered him and he felled him to the floor.

The others now attacked him and dragged him to their master's castle, where he lay imprisoned for six months.