of proceeded with his introductions: "And now, sir, here is the
head of our sixth battery, Captain von Wegstetten."

Mohbrinck twisted his lips into a honied smile. For Wegstetten had a
cousin, about seven times removed, who was something of a celebrity,
not so much on account of his martial exploits as because he was
ninety-eight years of age, the oldest soldier in the army, and a former
adjutant-general of his late Majesty. Uncle Ehrenfried, dried up like a
mummy, had some difficulty in even sitting upright in his wheel-chair;
and for years it had been impossible to carry on an articulate
conversation with him. But his immense age lent a certain _cachet_ to
his nephew, the chief of the sixth battery. If the mummy were really to
attain his century, or were to die on some marked day--a royal birthday
or funeral--the services of a Wegstetten to the reigning family would
show in a dazzling light, the reflection of which could not be
disregarded by an acute man like Mohbrinck.

Little Wegstetten smiled a contented smile under his big red moustache.
Before a commanding officer like this he felt he had no cause to
tremble.

"Captain Madelung, head of the fourth battery," proceeded Kauerhof.

Mohbrinck greeted him with something like effusion: "Ah!" he cried,
"our celebrated warrior from China. I am delighted--delighted--to have
the honour of meeting you." He put on a rallying expression: "But you
must not go to the Far East now, my dear sir. I hear you have just made
happy domestic arrangements that will keep you at home."

Madelung bowed; just before the man[oe]uvres he had married the eldest
maid-of-honour.

The youngest captain of the regiment, Guentz, was now presented. Major
Mohbrinck assumed his would-be-agreeable smile, and said jokingly:
"Dear, dear! our youngest captain, and so stout already!"

Guentz looked at him. Well, of course he was not exactly one of the slim
ones, but why should this rather uncomplimentary remark be fired in his
face?

Major Schrader saved him the trouble of answering. He patted him
good-humouredly on the back, and said: "Well, yes, he has got something
of a corporation, like Dr. Luther; but that does not prevent him from
shining brilliantly in the constellation of my commanders of
batteries."

Mohbrinck turned to him, and remarked sweetly; "Oh, I should never have
suggested such a thing, my dear sir. I am quite well aware of the
merits of Captain Guentz." And he touched Guentz's