ace.

Reimers hastened up to him and seized his hand. He would have liked to
throw his arms round the dear fellow's neck.

Now the reconciliation took place, and when the opponents shook
hands Landsberg's glance fell before the honest eyes of the
senior-lieutenant.

All traces of embarrassment vanished from the men's faces. There were
sighs of relief, and hearty congratulations; the two doctors packed up
their grisly instruments again; all were anxious to get away, and to
report the fortunate result of the duel to their comrades. Reimers was
on his horse and already starting off at a trot, when Guentz called to
him: "Where are you going in such a hurry?"

And Reimers shouted back gaily: "The colonel's waiting. 'Three
crosses,' my orders say!"

The senior-lieutenant rode slowly down. He himself had plenty of time
to spare. It was only ten minutes after the half hour, and it was not
until six o'clock that he was due at the tactical exercises.

The carriage and the three riders overtook him. Dr. von Froeben and
Gretzschel greeted him with candid joy in their faces; Landsberg was a
little stiff. The surgeon-major blew him a kiss from the carriage.
Guentz responded cordially, and continued at his leisurely pace.

The colonel was looking out into the street from his high summer-house
in the garden. Reimers recognised him from a distance, and as nothing
better occurred to him he took off his cap and waved it in the air.

Falkenhein checked him energetically when he was preparing to dismount.
"Stay where you are! Stay where you are!" he cried. "So all has gone
well?"

"Yes, sir," answered Reimers, still out of breath with his quick ride.

The colonel heaved a sigh of relief.

"I am glad; very, very glad!" he said.

In the barrack-yard Gaehler was waiting for his master. He handed him
his helmet and bandolier and took the forage-cap in exchange.

The battery was ready to move on. Reimers set his horse to a short
gallop and rode up to Guentz. "I beg to report myself, sir," he said.
Guentz nodded to him smilingly, and gave the words of command in his
clear, resonant voice.

In the midst of the exercises two riders suddenly approached from the
town. At first it was difficult to recognise them in the thick dust;
but Sergeant-major Heppner announced that he saw the colonel's big
sorrel horse. It was in fact the colonel and his adjutant.

Guentz galloped up to them and gave his report.

Falkenhein thanked him.