ooked at him very closely.

"It seems to me that we have met before, sir. Your face is very
familiar. Yes, yes; Prince Holberg Meckstein introduced me to you at
one of your concerts."

"Holberg Meckstein," repeated Von Barwig in a frightened voice. "Yes,
I--I knew him; but--but--I--forgive me, I--I do not remember!"

"It was in Leipsic; oh, it must be fifteen years ago!" said Mr. Cruger.
"At that time I had the United States Embassy at Berlin. Surely, you
must remember! You became nervous that night while conducting your own
symphony, and you fainted away right before the audience. Don't you
remember?"

"I remember," said Von Barwig, in a low hoarse voice, which he
controlled with great difficulty.

"And then a few months later you made some inquiries at the Embassy for
me," went on Mr. Cruger, "but I was unfortunately not there at the
time, and so was unable to be of service to you. You had some mission,
some object in going to America, the Secretary of Legation said. You
wanted a list of all the large towns in the United States. I hope you
were successful in finding what you were searching for?"

"No, sir, I did not accomplish--my mission," replied Von Barwig, who
had gained command of himself to some extent, and could speak without
giving evidence of his emotion. "It is extremely kind of you to
remember me!" His retiring, bashful manner was somewhat disconcerting,
but beneath it there was the unmistakable evidence of birth, breeding
and dignity.

"I am glad to find you in the house of such a distinguished citizen of
the United States as Mr. Stanton," said Mr. Cruger at parting with Von
Barwig.

"Ah, you know him, her father! He is a distinguished citizen?" said
Von Barwig, and the last ray of hope died within him. "He is a
distinguished citizen," he said to himself, "and he is her father." He
sighed deeply, and reproached himself for ever having hoped.

"That old man has a history," thought the elder Cruger, as he went up
to Helene, intent on saying good-bye to her. Joles had announced his
wife's nieces, and he did not care to stay longer. He had done his
duty by Beverly and that was all that was necessary. As he shook hands
warmly with Helene, he said to her:

"I should like to see Herr Von Barwig again."

Helene squeezed his hand warmly; it was the first note of affection
that had been sounded between them.

"Let me know if I can be of any service to him," he said.

"I will, I prom