Chapter the Second
Visitors

Visitors in the Snow


Looking from Mendel's window he groaned, "We have visitors, and if I am not mistaken one of them is that fool Grunewald."
The two other monks joined him at the window. Through the frosted glass they were able to see a fully equipped carriage standing at the Anenska entrance to the monastery and three warmly dressed men walking quickly past the hot house and through the long garden. In the spring, Mendel would be using most of this land for his next experiments.
"They will be coming to see Abbot Napp," said Brother Joseph, "the Sheep Breeder's Association is meeting next week." Among his many and varied interests, Abbot Napp regularly contributed his ideas to the sheep farmers of Moravia. This was not totally an unselfish act, as revenue in the order of 7000 guilders a year came to the Monastery coffers from wool production, and Herr Grunewald was a valued customer.

"Did you see if Herr Romer was with him?" asked Mendel, his eyesight was not of the best and he couldn't tell if one of the men was Grunewald's clerk, the one interested in plant hybrids.
"No," answered Klacel, "neither of the other two was Romer. I have never seen them before. I wonder what they want?"
"Well, don't worry," said Brother Joseph, "they won't want to see us." But he was wrong.

For the second time that morning the sound of boots crunching their way along the outer corridor announced the arrival of guests. This time a monk, the hospitallier, knocked politely on Mendel's door and waited to be invited to enter. Behind him were the three men who had been observed arriving moments ago.
"Brother Gregory, you have visitors," purred the hospitallier. Herr Grunewald was a valuable patron of the Monastery and was always treated well on his frequent visits. He waved the distinguished guests into Mendel's room. They entered, bringing with them a blast of cold outside air. Dusting snow off his shoulders, Herr Otto Grunewald stamped to the center of Mendel's abode and promptly filled the room.