, I was rudely pushed, my watch escaped, and the train from
Frankfort, which was just entering the depot, only rendered it to my
hands crushed, peeled and pounded. Instead of a thousand francs, my
old friend would hardly bring five dollars.

[Illustration: LOSING TIME]

After such a catastrophe what remained for me to do? Evidently to
humble my pride and beg an obolus of young Berkley. I represented
to myself that the victory over my own false shame was worth many
watches, and I began to compose a little speech intended for his ear,
in which I compared myself to Dante at the convent door.

I found him in his office clasping a hand-valise. "I am about to
go away by your train," he said, without waiting for me to speak or
remarking my shabby-genteel expression of heroism. He added, as he
handed me a great sealed envelope, "There is your passport. Nothing
imperative requires my stay here: I shall accompany you, then, as far
as the station of Oos, and while you are continuing your route toward
your beloved metropolis, I will go and finish my leave of absence at
Baden-Baden, where I am claimed by certain conditions of my liver."

[Illustration: GRAND DUKE'S PALACE, BADEN.]

I was so nervous and uncertain of myself that this little change in
the horizon upset me completely. For the life of me I could not, at
that moment, and at the risk of seeing him drop his bag and rain its
contents over the official courtyard, rehearse my awkward accident
and disreputable beggary. On the other hand, it was much to gain a
friendly companion and pass arm-in-arm with him to the ticket-office.
Leaving every other plan uncertain, I determined to start from
Carlsruhe in his diplomatic shadow.

I dashed with surprising agility into the house to ask for my account
with Francine. I was about to explain that I would quickly settle
with her from Paris, when the thoughtful little woman anticipated me.
"Monsieur Flemming," she said, with her sweet supplicating air, "you
left the city without meaning it. If you would like a little advance,
monsieur, I am quite well supplied just now. Dispose of me: I shall be
so thankful!"

The money of Fortnoye! the thought was impossible. It was impossible
to resist taking her bright brown head between my hands and secreting
a kiss somewhere in the laminations of the artisanne cap.

"Dear infant! I shall be an unhappy old fellow if I do not see you
again very soon."

--And I was off, dragged by those obliga