“WALKING ABOUT FOR AN HOUR IN BERLIN WITH A PLACARD ON HIS BACK.”
“We want to go to the R—— Hotel,” added the judge reluctantly, “if you know where that is?”
The stranger laughed again.
“Oh yes, I know perfectly well,” he said; “it is not at all out of my way, if you will allow me to escort you there.”
“No, thank you,” said Karl curtly; “just tell me the way to go. My bump of locality is very well developed, but in this confounded town there’s no finding one’s way about.”
“Allow me to mention my name,” said the stranger after he had given brief directions as to the way, lifting his hat.
“Don’t trouble yourself, thank you,” growled the judge; “it is not my habit to make acquaintances upon the street. Come along, children.”
And after a brief and not very reassuring farewell to the young man, he gave an arm to each of his ladies, and drew them along after him.
The stranger, thus brusquely dismissed, looked after the three departing figures for a moment, gave a low whistle, and went on his way still laughing.
Meanwhile Helen, touched by the look of disappointment on her sister’s face, had smartly reproached her husband for showing so little politeness to the stranger.