Does the young lady live alone?"

"Yes and no, according to the way you understand it. 'I'm lonely but
not alone'--as Schiller says. But try yourself, sir; I believe she's no
longer as timid about having evening visitors, as she used to be when
she worked for me; I work for her now, but I'm better paid at any rate.
This sort, you must know--"

"Does a certain Herr Lorinser happen to be with her, a
clerical-looking, pale man, with a black beard?"

"Can't say, sir. It's not my business to keep the register. Mam'selle
Johanne will be glad to tell you what you want to know--her present
admirer is a clerk, in a banking house, and can't get away till the
counting house is closed. So if you want a private conversation--ha!
ha!"

Mohr silently nodded a farewell and left the grinning little man. A
feeling of repugnance overpowered him, which only increased, when on
reaching the entry outside of the first floor rooms he heard a girl's
voice singing one of Offenbach's favorite airs.

His ring interrupted the song. Directly after, a slender young girl
with singularly large sparkling eyes in her pale little face opened the
door. "Is it you, Edward?" she exclaimed. Then perceiving her mistake,
said without any special sign of embarrassment: "What do you want,
sir?"

Mohr looked at her a moment with an expression of sincere sympathy,
which however formed so singular a contrast to his stern face, that the
beautiful girl was alarmed and began to consider how to get rid of this
mysterious man.

"Don't be anxious, Fraeulein," said he suspecting her thoughts, "true,
I'm not 'Edward,' but I come with the best intentions. If you would
give me two minutes--"

"Please, sir, if it can be settled out here--"

"As you choose. Be kind enough to answer but one question, whether you
know the present residence of a certain Herr Lorinser--"

A deep flush suddenly crimsoned her face, her eyes which had hitherto
flickered with a strange restless light, now glowed with a sullen angry
fire, and her hand trembled on the door. She was evidently obliged to
reflect before she could reply.

"Why do you ask this question?" she said in a low, hurried tone. "But
come in. Here in the public entry--"

He followed her into the ante-room, and she closed the door behind
them, but remained on the threshold and did not invite him to sit down.

"Fraeulein," he began, "I have a personal matter to settle with this
man. He vanished for some months and has n