Moreover, she was rather courting danger; the military post was only five miles down the river.

The one thing which bothered me was the "him" who had suddenly intruded upon the scene, invisible, but there, like Banquo's ghost.
Perhaps her beauty had lured some fellow to follow her fortunes and his over-zeal, or lack of it, had brought ruin to some plot.
"Gretchen," said I, as I jumped into bed, "whoever he was, he must have been a duffer." Her Serene Highness the Princess Hildegarde was in Jericho, and Hillars along with her, where I had consigned them.
Next morning Gretchen waited upon me at breakfast.

She was quiet and answered my questions in monosyllables.

Presently she laid something at the side of my plate.

It was my pipe.