With a supreme effort she freed herself and struck him across the face; and there was a man's strength in the flat of her hand.

Quick as a flash she whirled round and ran up the street, he hot upon her heels.

He was raging now with pain and chagrin.
The one hope for Gretchen now lay in the Black Eagle; and into the tavern she darted excitedly.
"Fraeu Bauer," she cried, gasping as much in wrath as for lack of breath, "may I come behind your counter ?" "To be sure, child.

Whatever is the matter ?" Wallenstein's entrance was answer sufficient.

His hand, held against his stinging cheek, was telltale enough for the proprietress of the Black Eagle.
"Shame!" she cried.