He had an engagement soon but not for an hour yet, so he picked up the newspapers containing the latest war rumors.
There was a quick, decided step in the next room; Egon looked up surprised. Servants did not step thus, and visitors were always announced. This visitor needed no announcement as every servant in the palace knew, and all doors were thrown open to him.
"Hartmut, is it you?"
Egon started forward in joyful surprise as his friend entered, and threw himself upon his breast.
"You are again in Germany, and I had no warning of it? You bad boy, to keep me two whole months without any news! Have you come to see me off and say good-bye?"
Hartmut had not responded cordially either to the greeting or embrace; he was gloomier than ever, and there was no sign of joy in his face over this meeting.
"I have come directly from the station," he said. "I almost feared I would not find you, and so much depended on my doing so."
"Why didn't you write or telegraph that you were coming? I wrote to you at once when war was declared. You were in Sicily, were you not?"
"No, I left there as soon as the war seemed to me inevitable, so I did not get your letter. I have been in Germany a week."
"And only come to me now?" said Egon reprovingly.