"What's the good word, Captain?" inquired Hans.
Carmichael put in a counter-query: "What was your brother doing here?"
"I have told him who I am."
"Was it wise?"
"Hermann sleeps soundly; he will talk neither in his sleep nor in his
waking hours. He has forgiven me."
"For what?" thoughtlessly.
"The time for explanations has not yet come, Captain."
"Pardon me, Grumbach; I was not thinking. But I came to bring you the
invitation to the military ball."
The broad white envelope, emblazoned with the royal arms, fascinated
Hans, not by its resplendency, but by the possibilities which it
afforded.
"Thank you; it was very good of you."
"It was a pleasure, comrade. What do you say to an hour or two at the
Black Eagle? We'll drown our sorrows together."
"Have you any sorrows, Captain?"
"Who hasn't? Life is a patchwork with the rounding-out pieces always
missing. Come along. I'm lonesome to-night."
"So am I," said Hans.
The Black Eagle was lively as usual; and there were some familiar faces.
The vintner was there and so was Gretchen. Carmichael hailed her.
"This is my last night here, Herr Carmichael," she said.
"Somebody has left you a fortune?" There was a jest in Carmichael's
eyes.
"Yes," replied Gretchen, her lips unsmiling.
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