into the parlour, Mr. Hegner turned the key in the
lock.

"I have but a very little to say," he exclaimed
jovially, "but, while I say it, I do not care to be interrupted!
It is more cosy so. Sit down, Frau Bauer,
sit down!"

Still surprised, and still believing that her host was
going to "best" her in some way, Anna did sit down.
She fixed her light-blue, short-sighted eyes watchfully
on his face. What a pity it was that he so greatly
resembled her adored Kaiser!

"You are very kind," she said mechanically.

"I believe that last Sunday, August 1st, there was
owing to you this sum." So saying, he pushed towards
her across the table five half-sovereigns.

Anna Bauer uttered an exclamation of profound
astonishment. She stared down at the money lying
now close to her fat red hand.

"Is not that so?" he said, looking at her fixedly.

And at last she stammered out, "Yes, that is so.
But -- but ---- do you then know Willi, Mr. Hegner?"

The man sitting opposite to her remained silent
for a moment. He hadn't the slightest idea who
"Willi" was. "Ach, yes! It is from him that you
generally receive this money every six months -- I had
forgotten that! Willi is a good fellow. Have you
known him long?" He wisely waited for a reply,
for on his tongue had been the words, "I suppose he
lives in London?"

"I have only known him three years," said Anna,
"and that though he married my niece seven years
ago. Yes, Willi is indeed an excellent fellow!"

And then she suddenly bethought herself of what

[[79]]

p078 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p079w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p080

v?