t along what appeared to be a narrow road, with
houses on one side and a canal on the other. The odour which rose from
the latter in the night air was far from pleasant, but he soon got
accustomed to it. He was inclined to shout out the Baron's name as he
went along, but it occurred to him that some of the watchers of the
night might accuse him of being a disorderly person, and carry him off
to prison, though whenever he saw anyone approaching he asked in a
subdued tone, "Is that you, Baron Stilkin?" But no one acknowledged
himself to be the Baron. Thus the Count went on, no one impeding his
progress. According to the dwarfs advice, he did turn to the left and
then to the right, then to the left again, and turned several times,
till he forgot how many times he had turned or where he was. For a long
time he met no one of whom to inquire the way. At last he heard
footsteps approaching. "Is that you. Baron Stilkin?" he asked, as he
had done before.

"What, whose voice is that?" exclaimed some one.

The Count, hoping that it was the Baron, replied, "Count Funnibos."

"What, my dear Count, is it you yourself?" exclaimed Baron Stilkin, for
he it was, and, rushing into each other's arms, they wept, overcome by
their feelings. The Count narrated the extraordinary adventures he had
met with.

"And what about our portmanteaus and umbrellas? what will become of
them?" exclaimed the Baron.

"They are on board the sloop, and, for what I can tell, at the bottom of
the Zuyder Zee," said the Count.

"We must endeavour to regain them forthwith if they are afloat, or fish
them up if they are at the bottom," said the Baron. "Come along. I
left the sober sailor waiting for me. We may possibly find him, and at
once put off in search of our property."

"But I should prefer having some supper first," exclaimed the Count. "I
am well-nigh starving."

"Never mind, my dear Count," said the Baron, "I have eaten enough for
two, and there's no time to be lost. It is of the greatest importance
that we should forthwith recover our portmanteaus and umbrellas. Why,
we have all the money in them, and our note-books and journals."

"And my ties and tooth-brush," put in the Count. "Of course, of course.
I will still the cravings of my appetite and sacrifice my feelings for
the common weal."

"Eight, right; a noble principle," said the Baron. "I shall be able to
enjoy a second supper with you when we return." And the Baron act