Anna got up and followed him through the crowd. What was it Mr. Hegner wanted to say to her? She felt slightly apprehensive. Surely he was going to tell her that now, owing to the war, he would have to stop the half-commission he was still giving her on Mrs. Otway's modest orders? Her heart rose in revolt. An Englishman belonging to the type and class of Anna Bauer would have determined "to have it out" with him, but she knew well that she would not have the courage to say anything at all if he did this mean thing. To her great surprise, after she had followed him into the parlour, Mr. Hegner turned the key in the lock. "I have but a very little to say," he exclaimed jovially, "but, while I say it, I do not care to be interrupted! It is more cosy so. Sit down, Frau Bauer, sit down!" Still surprised, and still believing that her host was going to "best" her in some way, Anna did sit down. She fixed her light-blue, short-sighted eyes watchfully on his face. What a pity it was that he so greatly resembled her adored Kaiser! "You are very kind," she said mechanically. "I believe that last Sunday, August 1st, there was owing to you this sum." So saying, he pushed towards her across the table five half-sovereigns. Anna Bauer uttered an exclamation of profound astonishment. She stared down at the money lying now close to her fat red hand. "Is not that so?" he said, looking at her fixedly. And at last she stammered out, "Yes, that is so. But--but----do you then know Willi, Mr. Hegner?" The man sitting opposite to her remained silent for a moment. He hadn't the slightest idea who "Willi" was. "Ach, yes! It is from him that you generally receive this money every six months--I had forgotten that! Willi is a good fellow. Have you known him long?" He wisely waited for a reply, for on his tongue had been the words, "I suppose he lives in London?" "I have only known him three years," said Anna, "and that though he married my niece seven years ago. Yes, Willi is indeed an excellent fellow!" And then she suddenly bethought herself of what Mrs. Otway had said that very morning. Mr. Hegner would certainly be able to tell her the truth--he was the sort of man who knew everything of a practical, business nature. "Perhaps you will be able to tell me," she asked eagerly, "if my nephew will have to fight--to go to the frontier. Mrs. Otway, she says that the police are always the last to be called out--is that true, Mr. Hegner?" "Yes, I think I may assure you, Frau Bauer, that it is a fact." He looked at her curiously. "You are very fond, then, of your niece's husband, of the excellent Willi?" "I am indeed," she said eagerly, "and grateful to him too, for this money he sends me is very welcome, Mr. Hegner. I was so afraid it might not come this time."