dressed son of the doctor, and
something meaner yet in relation to the distinguished Holm family. And
there was still so much of the boy in him that he wanted to show now at
his very best.

A crowd of inquisitive idlers had gathered down on the steamboat landing
when the boat swung in and lay by the pier. The pair of bays in the
Loreng carriage stood tossing their heads and twitching and stamping as
the flies tormented them; but at last they got their passengers and were
given their heads, setting off with a wild bound or two that scattered
those who had pressed too near. But in the carriage they could see the
two strangers and the engineer, all three laughing and gesticulating,
and talking all at once. And in a few moments they vanished in a cloud
of dust, whirling away beside the calm waters of the fjord.

Some way behind them a cart followed, driven by one of the stable-boys
from Loreng, and loaded with big brass-bound leather trunks and a
huge chest, apparently of wood, but evidently containing something
frightfully heavy.

Merle had finished dressing, and stood looking at herself in the glass.
The light summer dress was pretty, she thought, and the red bows at neck
and waist sat to her satisfaction. Then came the roll of wheels outside,
and she went out to receive her guests.

"Here they are," cried Peer, jumping down. "This is Ferdinand Pasha,
Governor-General of the new Kingdom of Sahara--and this is His Highness
the Khedive's chief pipe-cleaner and body-eunuch."

A tall, stooping man with white hair and a clean-shaven, dried-up face
advanced towards Merle. It was Ferdinand Holm. "How do you do, Madam?"
he said, giving her a dry, bony hand.

"Why, this is quite a baronial seat you have here," he added, looking
round and settling his pince-nez.

His companion was a round, plump gentleman, with a little black goatee
beard and dark eyes that blinked continually. But his smile was full of
mirth, and the grip of his hand felt true. So this was Klaus Brock.

Peer led his two friends in through the rooms, showing them the view
from the various windows. Klaus broke into a laugh at last, and turned
to Merle: "He's just the same as ever," he said--"a little stouter, to
be sure--it's clear you've been treating him well, madam." And he bowed
and kissed her hand.

There was hock and seltzer ready for them--this was Merle's idea, as
suitable for a hot day--and when the two visitors had each drunk off
a couple of gla