"Another drink, Monsieur Louis?"
"I think I've had about enough."
"No, no ... this is my turn to treat."
"Well, since you put it that way, Monsieur Wulf, I can't refuse."
"Besides," added the barkeeper, "this is some very special vermouth, only served to old clients."
"Ah," laughed Wulf, "I hope we're included in that category, for you certainly have no better client than myself."
"Excuse me," replied the barkeeper, smiling, "we have one, your boss, Monsieur Wulf, the King Frederick-Christian.... And while he doesn't always finish his drinks he always pays for them."
"And that's the important thing," added M. Louis.
It was about ten in the morning, and in the bar of the Royal Palace, deserted at this early hour, were M. Louis, Major-domo of the hotel, Wulf, and the barkeeper, who in his turn offered a round of drinks on the house.
As the glasses were being filled, the telephone rang to say that his Majesty wanted to see Wulf.