"Do you require my presence any longer, Herr Schmidt?" asked the man.

"Certainly. You will dismiss the people in my presence."

"That I shall not do, Herr Schmidt."

"In my presence, and in that of all the others. Sound the bell!"

And Uncle Ernst pointed to a small platform over which hung a great bell.

"That is not my office," said the overseer hotly.

"True," answered Uncle Ernst, "for from this moment you no longer hold any office."

"I claim a quarter's notice."

"That we shall soon see."

Uncle Ernst went up to the bell; Reinhold stepped before him.