e long one.
But," added Uncle Frederick, in a solemn tone, "beware, I warn you,
beware of Bluecher!"

"Bluecher?" said Cousin Hans.

"I won't say anything more. But what makes you wish to know about this
old original? What on earth do you want with him."

"Does he walk there every forenoon?" asked Hans.

"Every forenoon, from eleven to one, and every afternoon, from five to
seven. But what interest--?"

"Has he many children?" interrupted Hans.

"Only one daughter; but what the deuce--?"

"Good-bye, uncle! I must get home to my books."

"Stop a bit! Aren't you going to Aunt Maren's this evening? She asked me
to invite you."

"No, thanks, I haven't time," shouted Cousin Hans, who was already
several paces away.

"There's to be a ladies' party--young ladies!" bawled Uncle Frederick;
for he did not know what had come over his nephew.

But Hans shook his head with a peculiar energetic contempt, and
disappeared round the corner.

"The deuce is in it," thought Uncle Frederick, "the boy is crazy,
or--oh, I have it!--he's in love! He was standing here, babbling about
love, when I found him--outside No. 34. And then his interest in old
Schrappe! Can he be in love with Miss Betty? Oh, no," thought Uncle
Frederick, shaking his head, as he, too, continued on his way, "I don't
believe he has sense enough for that."

II.

Cousin Hans did not eat much dinner that day. People in love never eat
much, and, besides, he did not care for rissoles.

At last five o'clock struck. He had already taken up his position on the
ramparts, whence he could survey the whole esplanade. Quite right: there
came the black frock-coat, the light trousers, and the well-brushed hat.

Cousin Hans felt his heart palpitate a little. At first he attributed
this to a sense of shame in thus craftily setting a trap for the good
old captain. But he soon discovered that it was the sight of the beloved
one's father that set his blood in a ferment. Thus reassured, he began,
in accordance with Uncle Frederick's advice, to draw strokes and angles
in the sand, attentively fixing his eyes, from time to time, upon the
Castle of Akerhuus.

The whole esplanade was quiet and deserted. Cousin Hans could hear the
captain's firm steps approaching; they came right up to him and stopped.
Hans did not look up; the captain advanced two more paces and coughed.
Hans drew a long and profoundly significant stroke with his stick, and
then the old fellow could contai