Ulrich arrived, followed immediately by Dr Astel, and they both joined Gurdweill and stood beside him without saying a word. The tall Dr Astel seemed to have shrunk, and his face looked very worn and old. Gurdweill saw through a mist that the latter was unshaven, a fact that made a great impression on him, since he had never seen Dr Astel in such a state before. Something terrible must have happened, he reflected, otherwise he would have shaved his beard … And he felt great pity for Dr Astel.