"Unfortunately I cannot give you an affirmative answer," replied Raschke conscientiously.
"There must be something wrong here," exclaimed the stranger, again eyeing the professor suspiciously.
"There is, indeed," replied Raschke. "The dog is out of his mind; the coat is exchanged, and I do not know where we are."
"Close to the valley gate, Professor Raschke," answered the voice of Gabriel, who hastily joined the group. "Excuse me, but what brings you here?"
"Capital!" exclaimed Raschke joyously. "Pray take charge of this coat and this dog."
Gabriel gazed in amazement at Speihahn, who was now lying on the coat and bending his head before his friend. Gabriel threw down the dog and seized the coat. "Why, that is our greatcoat!" exclaimed he.
"Yes, Gabriel," said the professor, "that was my mistake, and the dog has shown marvelous fidelity to the coat."
"Fidelity!" exclaimed Gabriel indignantly, as he drew a parcel out of the coat pocket. "It was greedy selfishness, sir; there must be some food in this pocket."
"Yes, true," exclaimed Raschke; "it is all the chicken's fault. Give me the parcel, Gabriel; I must eat the fowl myself; and we might bid each other good-night now with mutual satisfaction, if you would just show me my way a little among these trees."
"But you must not go home in the night air without an overcoat," said Gabriel considerately. "We are not far from our house; the best way would really be for you to come back with me, sir."
"You are right, Gabriel; my departure was awkward; and to-day an animal's soul has restored a man's soul to order."
"If you mean this dog," said Gabriel, "it would be the first time he ever did anything good. I see he must have followed you from our door; for I put little bones there for him of an evening."
"Just now he seemed not to be quite in his right mind," said the professor.
"He is cunning enough when he pleases," continued Gabriel mysteriously; "but if I were to speak of my experiences with this dog--"
"Do speak, Gabriel," eagerly exclaimed the philosopher. "There is nothing so valuable concerning animals as a truthful statement from those who have carefully observed them."
"I may say that I have done so," confirmed Gabriel, with satisfaction; "and if you want to know exactly what he is, I can assure you that he is possessed of the devil, he is a thief, he is embittered, and he hates all mankind."