That one word was enough to sink the secret to the bottom of the sea. Henceforward he could go backward and forward by day or night, no one would ever mention his name. They all knew now that he was an agent of the Servian and Montenegrin heroes of the insurrection, and the rack would not have extorted information from them. He became a sacred personage in their eyes. In this way, in order to hide himself in darkness, he deceived every one with whom he exchanged a word. The fishermen ferried over the cases at night, and Timar with them; they looked out for a place on the shore where the thickest bushes grew, and carried the boxes there, and when Michael would have paid them, they would not accept a groschen from him, only grasping his hand.
He remained on the island, and the fishermen left him. It was a splendid moonlight night; the nightingale sung on its nest. Michael went along the bank till he came to the path, and passed the place where he had left off his work last year; the trunks were carefully covered with rushes to keep the wet off.
He approached the little dwelling on tiptoe. It was a good sign that he heard no noise. Almira does not bark, because she is sleeping in the kitchen so as not to wake the child. All is well in the house.
How should he announce himself, and surprise Noémi? He stood before the little window, half covered by climbing roses, and began to sing--
"For all the gold the world could hold, I would not give my Dodi's curl."
He was not disappointed; a moment later the window opened, and Noémi looked out with a face radiant with joy. "My Michael," whispered the poor child.
"Yes, thy Michael," he murmured, clasping the dear head in both arms. "And Dodi?"
"He is asleep; hush, we must not wake him." And still the lips murmured tenderly, "Come in."
"Oh, he is no longer a crying child. Just think, he is a year old."
"What! a year already! He is quite a big fellow."
"What do you know about it? wait till you see him."
"Push the curtain aside that I may see him by the moonlight."
"No; that would not do. If the moon shines on a sleeping child it makes it ill."
"There are all sorts of wonderful things about children, and one must have plenty of faith; that is why women have charge of children, because they believe everything. Come in and look at him."