. What do I care for this
adventurer?"

Wallmoden had not expected such an answer, and looked keenly at his
friend as he continued:

"I deemed it necessary to tell you because of the possibility of a
meeting. Rojanow plays a conspicuous part here and is to be met with
everywhere. The duke is greatly taken with him; you will be very apt to
come across him at the castle."

"And what then? I know no one who bears the name of Rojanow, and he will
not dare to know me. We will pass one another as strangers."

Wallmoden watched his friend's face closely while he was speaking; he
wondered if all feeling was dead, or if this intense coldness and
indifference were assumed.

"I believed you would have taken the news of your son's re-appearance
differently," he said, half aloud. It was the only time he used the word
"son;" he had called him Rojanow in telling the story, and he did it
with a purpose now. For the first time there was a movement from the
window, but it was a movement of anger.

"I have no son, bear that in mind, Wallmoden. He died that last night at
Burgsdorf, and the dead return no more."

Wallmoden was silent, but the colonel stepped up to him and laid his
hand heavily on his arm.

"You mentioned just now that you felt it your duty to tell the duke, but
consideration for me had kept you silent so far. I have but one thing
left to guard in the wide world, the honor of my name, and such an
explanation on your part would stain it forever. Do what you think is
best. I shall not prevent you, but--I must then do what I think best."

His voice sounded hard as ever, but there was a tone underlying his
words which fairly frightened the ambassador.

"For God's sake, Falkenried, what do you mean?"

"Do as you choose. You diplomats have peculiar ideas of honor at times,
with which ordinary mortals may not agree--I leave it to you."

"I shall be silent, I give you my word," answered Wallmoden, to whom
Falkenried's words were enigmatical, for Adelheid's confession was
unknown to him. "I had really decided on that before you came. The name
of Falkenried shall not be exposed to scorn or derision through me."

"Well and good, then we need not discuss the subject farther," said
Falkenried. Then, after a short pause, he began on quite a different
subject. "You have prepared the duke for what I bring him? What does
he say about it?"

Here was again the old, iron impenetrability which closed the door
against all inquir