l some one has solved the present one. I am to send him a
long telegram in it every day.'

'What is that?' asked the short stranger, good-humouredly. 'I did not
know there was such a thing as a cypher that could not be solved.'

'One of my pupils has invented one that no one has solved yet,' answered
Herr Groos proudly.

'He should let me see it,' laughed the stranger. 'I would undertake to
read it in half an hour.'

Then the master and the two strangers began to talk sociably together,
and the conversation drifted to a discussion on the best place in the
locality for the capture of butterflies, especially swallow-tails.

Franz listened attentively, for he was firmly resolved that he would not
return without at least one specimen to adorn Hugo's collection. Herr
Groos was of opinion that the Kuehberg was the best place for them; but
the strangers said, 'No, for every one found on the summit of the
Kuehberg there are at least three on the sunny slopes of the
Hirsch-felsen on the opposite side of the valley.'

But at last the train journey came to an end, and the boys arrived at
the little inn which was to be their head-quarters. There they were soon
devouring rolls and hot coffee, almost faster than the inn-keeper and
his good-tempered wife could bring them out of the kitchen. Then, with
their pockets and knapsacks full of rolls and German sausage, they
started on their first day's expedition to a little lake at the foot of
the Kuehberg. It was a lovely walk, and as they passed now under the cool
green pine-trees, and now along sunny slopes where the cows, with their
tinkling bells, were almost buried in sweet-scented flowers, both
botanists and butterfly-hunters were busy. Finally, after two hours'
walk, they reached their halting-place at the edge of the forest lake.

(_Continued on page 130._)

[Illustration: "I took the locket from my waistcoat again."]

THE BOY TRAMP.

(_Continued from page 119._)

Jacintha led the way up a path on the mound, and we all entered the
summer-house, which was quite large, with seats round the sides and a
table in the middle.

'Have you got the chocolates, Dick?' she asked, and at the same time
began to unload her own pocket, which contained a bag with some
preserved apricots in it, two oranges, and two pears. 'I often bring my
dessert out here,' she explained, 'only to-day Auntie said she hoped I
should not make myself ill.'

'Mind you don't,' said Dick.

'Have