"But Where's Herr von Pranken?"
"Here!" cried he, as he went in.
CHAPTER VI.
HONOR LIES BLEEDING.
Sonnenkamp's decoration was lying at Pranken's feet as he entered, and the first thing he did was to stoop down and pick it up. Joseph left the room. Pranken balanced the decoration as if it were a heavy weight. Sonnenkamp seemed to be waiting for Pranken to speak first, and when the latter said, "I congratulate you," broke in:—
"No, no—do not. I thank you for coming to me again. I thank you sincerely—very sincerely. You meant well by me."
"What's this? Meant well? I don't comprehend."
Sonnenkamp stared at him; the whole city, the coachmen on the streets knew it, and can this man be ignorant? Does he want to gull him?
"Have you read the Journal?" inquired Sonnenkamp.
"The Journal! No; what's in that?"