* * * * *

After having washed and shaved, he was about to go down to the lobby of
the Hotel when a knock came at the door.

"Come in!" he cried.

A very tall and thin individual with a parchment-like face entered and
bowed ceremoniously.

"To whom have I the honor...?" Juve inquired.

"I am Monsieur Heberlauf, head of the police at Hesse-Weimar.... Have I
the pleasure of speaking to Monsieur Juve?"

Juve, surprised at the visit, excused the disorder of the room and tried
to make his guest comfortable.

"Monsieur Wulf advised me of your intended visit to our Capital."

In a very few moments Juve was able to size up his man, who seemed only
too anxious to impart information about himself and his affairs. While
quite as simple-minded as Wulf, he appeared far more sinister. Juve also
divined without much difficulty that his wife, Madame Heloise Heberlauf,
was the best informed woman in the kingdom regarding gossip and scandal.

"In fact," declared the chief of police, "I can be of very little
assistance to you, Monsieur. But my wife can give you all the
information you need."

Juve made it clear to Monsieur Heberlauf that he wished to obtain an
entry to the Court as soon as possible.

Monsieur Heberlauf replied that nothing would be easier than a
presentation to the Queen. It happened that she was receiving in the
afternoon, and Madame Heberlauf would take the necessary steps for his
introduction. He ended by saying:

"Do come and lunch with us without ceremony. You will have plenty of
time afterward to dress for the reception.... Have you a Court costume?"

Juve had overlooked that item.

"No, I haven't," he replied. "Is it indispensable?"

"It is, but don't worry, Madame Heberlauf will take charge of that. She
will be able to find you the necessary garments." The luncheon
engagement made for twelve o'clock sharp, the Chief of Police, now more
solemn than ever, rose and took his leave.

* * * * *

"Well, Monsieur Juve, don't you think that looks fine?"

Juve was anxiously regarding himself in the glass, examining the effect
of his costume, while Madame Heberlauf, a fat little red-faced woman,
was circling around, eyeing him from every angle and clapping her hands
with pleasure at the success of her efforts.

The lunch had been bountiful, and thoroughly German. Preserved fruit was
served with the fish, and gooseberry jam with the roast. Juve