"Himmel!" ejaculated Hügelweiler, "so you are the American competitor. You had better not ask me to choose your skates, or I should certainly select a faulty pair."
Trafford laughed.
"You are indeed a dangerous rival," he said.
"I wish to succeed," said the soldier simply. "Perhaps success means more to me than to you; but I don't think I am a bad sportsman."
"I will not tempt your probity," said Trafford. "I will select my own wares."
Von Hügelweiler waited till the purchase was complete,—expressing his approval of the other's choice,—and then the three men sallied forth into the nipping air of the Bahnhofstrasse.
"Where are you going?" asked Saunders of the Grimlander.
"Back to barracks," replied the Captain. "Will you accompany me?"
Saunders consulted his watch.
"Trafford and I are dining in an hour's time," he said, "but we will walk part of the way with you. I wish to show my friend a bit of the town."