He turned to the Directory, and found John Sturm, porter, Island
Street, No. 17. He drove thither in a drosky. A loud "Come in" was the
reply to his hurried knock. The sore-pressed officer crossed the
threshold of the porter. Father Sturm sat alone with his can of beer, a
small daily paper in his hand. "A hussar!" cried he, remaining seated
through very astonishment. The officer, on his part, was astonished at
the colossal form now contemplating him, and both were silent.

"To be sure!" said the giant. "A hussar of my Karl's regiment--the coat
is the same, the epaulettes the same; you are welcome, comrade!" and he
rose. Then for the first time perceiving the metal of the epaulettes, he
exclaimed, "As I live, an officer!"

"My name is Eugene von Rothsattel," began the lieutenant. "I am an
acquaintance of Mr. Wohlfart."

"Of Mr. Wohlfart and of my son Karl," said Sturm, eagerly; "sit down,
sir; it is an exceeding pleasure and honor to me to see you." He brought
out a chair, and thumped it down in his zeal so as to make the door
shake again.

Eugene was going to sit down. "Not yet," said Sturm; "I will first wipe
it, that the uniform take no harm. Since my Karl went away, things are a
little dusty here."

He wiped and polished up the chair for his visitor. "Now, sir, allow me
to sit opposite you. You bring me tidings of my little fellow?"

"Only," replied Eugene, "that he is well in health, and that my father
much values his services."

"Indeed!" cried Sturm, smiling all over, and rapping on the table so as
to create a small earthquake in the room. "I knew, sir, that your father
the baron would be satisfied with him; I would have given him a bond for
that on stamped paper. He was a clever lad, even when he was that high,"
indicating with his hand a degree of smallness that belongs to no human
being, even in the earliest days of its visible life.

"But can he do any thing?" he anxiously inquired, "in spite of--you know
what." He held out his great fingers, and made confidential signs with
them. "First and middle finger--it was a great misfortune, sir."

Eugene now called to mind the unlucky accident. "He has got over it,"
said he, rather embarrassed at the part the paternal affections of the
giant made him play. "I came here to ask a favor."

"A favor?" laughed Sturm; "ask away, young baron; that is a simple
matter. Any one from the house where my Karl is bailiff has a right to
ask a favor from old Sturm. That i