While Helen and Anna were occupied in removing this enemy of the much-desired _incognito_ from the back of their liege lord and master, Annchen found time to whisper to her sister, “That was Kurt!” “Nonsense!” cried Helen in surprise, now giving Karl’s tormentor a scrutinising glance, while the latter was vainly endeavouring to pacify the enraged Karl--more likely, I regret to say, for the sake of the pretty damsel than for brotherly love. But Karl was obstinate, and would have nothing to do with forgiveness, and even the kind offer of the unknown to show him the way had no further effect than to extract a surly reply, “You may, for all I care!” [Illustration: “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. “I don’t understand you, Karl,” she said. “How could you be so rude to the young man? It was only too natural that, under the circumstances, he indulged in the harmless joke of addressing you!” “The impudence of it!” cried Karl in a rage. “In fact, you ought to be grateful to him,” Helen added boldly, “for without him and his explanation you would still be walking about with the slip on your back, like a book from the circulating library. The young fellow looked very nice!” Karl stood stock-still. “I’ll tell you what, children,” he said energetically, “now leave me in peace about your unknown friend! That’s the way all women are--that’s what a woman’s opinion is worth! Looked nice, did he? And such creatures are all for equality with men! If you are on the jury, and a convicted murderer has blue calf’s eyes, every one of you would acquit him! I’d have you to know that it is my firm conviction the man was a sharper!” “Shame on you, Karl!” cried Anna, her just ire getting the better of her shyness. Her hero a sharper,--this was too bad! Her brother-in-law gave her a penetrating look.