Tony returned to the Hotel du Lac, modestly, by the back way.

He assured himself that his aunt and sister were well by means of an open window in the rear of the dining-room.

The window was shaded by a clump of camellias, and he studied at his ease the back of Mrs.Eustace's head and Nannie's vivacious profile as she talked in fluent and execrable German to the two Alpinists who were, at the moment, the only other guests.

Brotherly affection--and a humorous desire to create a sensation--prompted him to walk in and surprise them.

But saner second thoughts prevailed; he decided to postpone the reunion until he should have changed from the picturesque costume of Tony to the soberer garb of Jerry Junior.