Reimers answered, smiling:
"Pretty well, sir. I have scarcely ever been so well treated as during that arrest."
"Very likely. And his majesty did not let you languish there long?"
"No, indeed, sir."
Wegstetten glanced at his watch.
"Well, I'm sorry I can't stop any longer now, for I must go back to the riding-school again. So good-bye, my dear fellow. But let me say once more how glad I am to have a man who has really smelt powder. They are only to be found among colonels and generals as a rule nowadays."
As soon as the captain had gone, Reimers put his helmet on the table, and drew off his gloves.
He glanced round the orderly-room and nodded with satisfaction as he noted that everything was as it used to be. Then he held out his hand to the sergeant-major.
"Good-day, Schumann!" he said cheerily. "You're still here? How are you?"
"I'm well, sir, thank God. And, beg pardon, sir, but how are you?"