is so self-willed, that the best-laid
logical chain is cut in two; I find myself obliged, on my part, to
decline positively your friendly offer."

Sonnenkamp again whistled inaudibly. Another stroke of diplomacy,
then! He could not grasp him; the antagonist has enticed his foe out of
his stronghold; Sonnenkamp joined battle in the open field. Eric
related that he had the offer of acting director in the Cabinet of
Antiquities, with the promise of a permanent appointment.

"That's it," nodded the Major to himself, "that's it, screw him, make
terms for yourself, as a singer does who is in demand; you can have
your own price, they must give you all you ask."

But the Major's look suddenly changed, when Eric continued,--

"From your practical American standpoint you would certainly approve of
my refusal, if that were necessary, in order to attain higher
conditions, whether internal or external, of my own freedom. But I tell
you frankly, that I have no motive for this refusal, except the duty of
gratitude towards my patron."

Sonnenkamp answered, assentingly,--

"I am very far from desiring to interfere at all with your plan of
life. I regret to be obliged to give it up, but I give it up."

"Yes," interposed the Major, "you give it up, and he declines. That's
no go. The youth, what is he going to do? What becomes of him?"

Sonnenkamp and Eric regarded the Major in silence, who uttered the
decisive words,--"What becomes of Roland?"

Eric was the first to collect himself, and requested that Sonnenkamp
would commit his son to him for a year at the capital; for he himself
must acknowledge that he should no longer be happy or at rest, until he
could expend his best energies for the boy, in order to establish him
in a noble career in life; and that it would be the best plan for
Roland also to be brought up in the companionship of others, and he
would see to it that he had good companions.

Sonnenkamp pressed his fingers to his lips, and then said,--

"Such a plan cannot be talked of for a moment; my breath is gone, when
I know that the child is away from me. I must therefore beseech you,
not a word of this."

He now requested the Major to leave him alone with the Captain.

The Major complied at once, and did not take it at all amiss, that
Sonnenkamp disposed of him so readily.

And now that they were alone, Sonnenkamp said, rubbing his chin
repeatedly,--

"I see clearly the difficulty of consigning Roland to any