In a few minutes the car rolled into the principal street of Merz. Just beyond the great, glass-roofed building, wherein in happier times the visitors went daily to drink the medicated waters, was the hotel.
A rheumatic old woman with a sash, who acted as carriage opener, with a young boy for porter, met "Captain von Brenner's sister." In the hall the corpulent host bowed before her.
"Captain von Brenner?" queried Ruth. "I am his sister."
Mine host paled. His eyes grew round with wonder.
"What it the matter with you?" asked the girl impatiently. "Are you dumb?"
"He is not here, mein Fraulein," chattered the man.
"Send for him, then. And show me to the suite he engaged for me."
"Fraulein! Pardon!" gasped the innkeeper. "We did not understand. That is—it was—— We thought he would not return."
"What?"
"And that—that the gnädiges Fraulein would not come."