ou, Frau Bauer."

"Thank you, thank you! I am very grateful to you, Mr. Hegner."

Indeed old Anna's feelings towards the man who sat there, playing with a
pen in his hand, had undergone an extraordinary transformation. She had
come into the room disliking him, fearing him, feeling sure that he was
going to take some advantage of her. Now she stared at his moody, rather
flushed face, full of wondering gratitude.

How strange that he had never taken the trouble to tell her that he knew
Willi! She was sorry to remember how often she had dissuaded her
mistress from getting something at the Stores that could be got
elsewhere, some little thing on which the tiny commission she received
would have been practically nil, or, worse still, overlooked. Her
commission had been often overlooked of late unless she kept a very
sharp look-out on the bills, which Mrs. Otway had a tiresome habit of
locking away when receipted.

She took the five precious gold pieces off the table, and moved, as if
to rise from her chair.

But Mr. Hegner waved his hand. "Sit down, sit down, Frau Bauer," he
said. "There is no hurry. I enjoy the thought of a little chat with
you." He waited a moment. "And are you thinking of staying on in your
present position? You are--let me see--with Mrs. Otway?"

"Oh yes," she said, brightening. "I shall certainly stay where I am. I
am very happy there. They are very kind to me, Mr. Hegner. I love my
young lady as much as I do my own child."

"It is a quiet house," he went on, "a quiet house, with very little
coming and going, Frau Bauer. Is not that so?"

"There is a good deal of visiting," she said quickly. "It is a
hospitable house."

"Not often gentlemen of the garrison, I suppose?"

"Indeed, yes," cried Anna eagerly. "You know how it is in England? It is
not like in our country. Here everybody is much more associated. In some
ways it is pleasanter."

"Very true. And had any of these officers who came and called on your
two ladies reason to suppose that the war was coming?"

Anna stared at him, surprised. "No, indeed!" she cried. "English
officers never talk of warlike subjects. I have never even seen one of
them wearing his uniform."

"It looks to me as if I shall have to add a new line of officers' kit to
the Stores," said Mr. Hegner thoughtfully. "And any information you give
me about officers just now might be very useful in my business. I know,
Frau Bauer, that you were annoyed, disappointed abou