Sometimes it was at sea, sometimes in railroad wrecks, sometimes in the heart of flames; but he was ever there, like a guardian angel.

It was never the same heroine, but that did not matter; she was always beautiful and rich, high placed and lovable, and he never failed to brush aside all obstacles that beset the path to the church door.

He had dreamed of paladins, and here at last was his long-sought opportunity--but he could do nothing! He laughed.

How many such romances lay beneath the banter and jest of those bald bachelor diplomat friends of his?
Had fate reserved him for one of these?
It was noon when he entered the city of Bleiberg.

He went directly to his hotel, where a bath and a change of clothes took the stiffness from his limbs.