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CHAPTER I.
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T three o’clock in the afternoon, across the village green of Frishets went the sexton; he had in his hand a large key and directed his steps to the chapel.
Any of the villagers who were standing by the window and saw the sexton, at first only said to themselves, “Where, I wonder, is old Vanek going?” Afterwards they called to their wives, to the servants, or to any one who happened to be near at hand, “Look! look! Vanek is going to the chapel! Can there be a fire anywhere, or can any one be dead?”
“And where can there be a fire, and who can have died?” was the answer to these questions; but to every one it was apparent that one or other of these events must now have taken place.
After this those who stood by the windows ran out in front of the gate, and cast a curious glance after Vanek to see whether he was not going into the chapel. At this moment his key rattled in the door, the door opened, and Vanek vanished within the chapel.
