Then, with a cavalier touch of the cap, he addressed me: "May I ask your name ?" "As you have taken the first step in the acquaintance, gentlemen," said I, with a smile, "suppose you give me a lead in the matter of names." The young man stepped forward with a pleasant smile.
"This," said he, "is Colonel Sapt, and I am called Fritz von Tarlenheim: we are both in the service of the King of Ruritania." I bowed and, baring my head, answered: "I am Rudolf Rassendyll.

I am a traveller from England; and once for a year or two I held a commission from her Majesty the Queen." "Then we are all brethren of the sword," answered Tarlenheim, holding out his hand, which I took readily.
"Rassendyll, Rassendyll!" muttered Colonel Sapt; then a gleam of intelligence flitted across his face.
"By Heaven!" he cried, "you're of the Burlesdons ?" "My brother is now Lord Burlesdon," said I.
"Thy head betrayeth thee," he chuckled, pointing to my uncovered poll.
"Why, Fritz, you know the story ?" The young man glanced apologetically at me.

He felt a delicacy which my sister-in-law would have admired.

To put him at his ease, I remarked with a smile: "Ah! the story is known here as well as among us, it seems." "Known!" cried Sapt.

"If you stay here, the deuce a man in all Ruritania will doubt of it--or a woman either." I began to feel uncomfortable.