flower, examined the central axis and the delicate filamentous 

 stalks surrounding it, noting the minutest details with the 

 aid of a bean-shaped piece of glass ; as he threw down the 

 fragments of the flower one by one, he was watched by one 

 of the older peasants who sighed and drew his hand across 

 his low forehead with a significant gesture to indicate to his 

 fellow-workmen that their superintendent was mentally un- 

 balanced. 



The sun was getting low and the young man dismissed 

 the gardeners, and turned his steps down the hill towards 

 the river; passing near the animal cages the savage beasts 

 showed by their antics that they regarded the florist as a 

 friend, Ottakar, Rudolph's pet lion, uttering a gentle growl 

 of greeting. Following the winding path to the riverside, 

 Jacob Horcicky, for that was the name of the embryo bot- 

 anist, crossed the dwindling Moldau on the old stone bridge 

 built by Karl IV; here he was overtaken by a trim young 

 army officer, whose costume and decorations proclaimed him 

 a lieutenant of cavalry, and who shortened his stride to 

 accost Jacob in a cordial, almost affectionate manner that 

 met a like response. Together they threaded the ill-paved, 

 narrow streets of Old Prague; the Officer talked about the 

 splendid horses in the royal stables where he was on duty 

 and called them by endearing names; Jacob chatted about 

 domestic affairs and both made frequent mention of a certain 

 lovely Fraulein Sofie whose capricious ways seemed to dis- 

 tress the Lieutenant. 



Skirting the ancient Jew's cemetery, the two friends 

 reached Gypsy Street and soon entered the archway of a 

 well-kept double house; on the right hand side of the passage 

 was a door over which a sign "The City Pharmacy" indi- 

 cated the nature of the business conducted within ; alongside 

 of the door a window having a sill breast-high and extra 



144 



