and whistled, there was the sound of little hoof-beats on the
porch, then Peter's gray head appeared enquiringly in the doorway.

"Wipe your feet and come in, Peter," said Crazy Dutch, returning to his
seat by the fire.

The little donkey rubbed one hoof after the other on the straw mat
before the sill, then advanced into the room. Felicia, who was in
Roger's lap, trembled with excitement and pleasure.

"Now, Peter dear, here is your pipe," pulling a corncob from his pocket;
"sit down and smoke it like a gentleman."

Peter took his pipe somewhat gingerly between his teeth and then with
considerable difficulty backed his haunches down onto the box that Von
Minden kicked over to him. There he sat gravely holding the empty pipe,
his long ears moving slowly back and forth.

"All right, sweetheart, there's a bit of sugar for you. Shake hands with
the ladies and gentlemen."

Like a great gray dog, Peter went from one to another, lifting his tiny
hoof to be shaken. Felicia was afraid at first but ended by shaking the
little unsteadily proffered hoof and kissing the little fellow's dusty
forehead with a squeal of delight.

"Now you give us each a good night kiss, liebchen," ordered Von Minden,
and as he indicated each person in turn, Peter followed and touched each
one on the back of the neck, with his velvet nose.

"Now say good night," was the last order and Peter lifted his voice in a
bray that shook the very rafters, after which he trotted out the door.

Certainly Peter and his master had never played to a more enthusiastic
audience. Felicia wanted to go out and ride him then and there and
Charley had to use considerable persuasion to get the excited little
girl off to bed. But after this was accomplished Roger asked:

"Where did you get Peter? Will you sell him?"

Crazy Dutch darted an ugly look at Roger.

Charley cut in quickly. "Tell us where you found him, Uncle Otto. Mr.
Moore was merely showing how much he admired Peter."

"I thought he'd be so fine for Felicia," exclaimed Roger.

Von Minden grunted. Then he lighted his pipe. "I have not always been as
you see me now," he said. "I was a geologist of reputation and when my
health demanded a hot climate, it was natural I should come here to look
for mines for a great German company. I am lucky and I have brains and I
have the greatest training in the world, German training, so I find
several mines and then jealousies, jealousies--jealousies--" he fell to