" So the game proceeded, with a brisk exchange of pieces and incivilities and a fluctuation of fortunes, till the little banker lost his queen as the result of an incautious move, and, after several woebegone contortions of his shoulders and hands, declined further contest.

A sleek-headed piccolo rushed forward to remove the board, and the erstwhile combatants resumed the courteous dignity that they discarded in their chess-playing moments.
"Have you seen the Germania to-day ?" asked Herr Rebinok, as soon as the boy had receded to a respectful distance.
"No," said von Kwarl, "I never see the Germania.

I count on you to tell me if there is anything noteworthy in it." "It has an article to-day headed, 'Occupation or Assimilation,'" said the banker.

"It is of some importance, and well written.

It is very pessimistic." "Catholic papers are always pessimistic about the things of this world," said von Kwarl, "just as they are unduly optimistic about the things of the next world.