"When did you learn to play the organ, my manikin?"
"This morning, your grace."
"This morning!" echoed the duke, astounded. "Can it be true that you have never tried the instrument before to-day?"
"Well, you see, we have no organ at home," returned Georg apologetically.
The duke studied him for a moment, as though seeking for traces of falsehood, but Georg's utter simplicity was strangely convincing.
Quietly the duke put his next question.
"Upon what instruments have you played before?"
"Last winter and this summer I have played every day on my aunt's clavichord, your grace."
Here a loud gasp was heard from a distant corner, but the duke frowned for silence.