"I certainly will," said Roger, starting to suit action to word, as Ernest came running back with his shot gun. But he was interrupted. Mrs. von Minden came slowly forth from her tent, the broom in her hand with which she had been sweeping the sand drifts from her bed and floor.
"Gott im Himmel!" roared Crazy Dutch.
"He cannot hear such as you." Madam's tone was grim, as she advanced majestically.
She was a good foot taller than her husband, but he did not flinch, even at sight of the broom.
"What are you doing here?" he took a threatening step toward her.
"I was waiting for you, Otto."
"Well, I don't want you. I finished with you a good many years ago. There are just two things in my life now and they are my work and my emperor."
"Fudge!" exclaimed Mrs. von Minden, unexpectedly. "There's just two things in your life, just as there's always been, your work and your German cussedness. Otto, I want that strong box of yours. Give it to me and I'll go back to Phœnix."
Crazy Dutch gave an ugly laugh. "I'm likely to do that! What do you want of it?"
"If you won't let me take it, let me go through it. There is something in it I want."