His face was hidden and his voice muffled.

But this I saw; when he gave me the first half of the money I was certain I should know him again." "How ?" "By his little finger, Highness." "His little finger ?" Von Arnsberg repeated.

The two women, large-eyed and bewildered, clung to each other's hand tensely.

These were heart-breaking times.

Gretchen's mind, however, absorbed nothing, neither the words nor the picture.