nly curiosity and see who desired admittance at this
unusual hour. Two strangers had already entered the hall and desired to
see the banker.

"Mr. Witte is not at home, and if your business is not too pressing,
call again early to-morrow morning."

"But my business is pressing," said Frederick Zoller, hastily, "I must
speak with Mr. Witte to-day."

"Can they wish to borrow money from him?" thought Madame Witte, who saw
the two strangers through the half-opened door.

"To borrow, or to ask credit, I am sure that is their business."

"May I ask the nature of your business?" said the servant. "In order to
bring Mr. Witte from the Casino I must know what you wish of him."

"I desire to have a draft of ten thousand crowns cashed," said Frederick
Zoller, sharply.

The door was opened hastily, and Madame Witte stepped forward to greet
the stranger and his companion. "Have the kindness, gentlemen, to step
in and await my husband; he will be here in a quarter of an hour. Go,
Andres, for Mr. Witte." Andres ran off, and Madame Witte accompanied the
strangers through the hall. Arrived at the door of the state apartment,
she quickly drew off her shoes, and then remained standing, looking
expectantly at the strangers.

"Well, madame," said the king, "shall we await Mr. Witte before this
door, or will you show us into the next room?"

"Certainly I will; but I am waiting on you."

"On us? And what do you expect of us?"

"What I have done, sirs--to take your shoes off."

The king laughed aloud. "Can no one, then, enter that room with shoes
on?"

"Never, sir. It was a custom of my great-grandfather. He had this house
built, and never since then has any one entered it with shoes. Please,
therefore, take them off."

Balby hastened to comply with her peremptory command. "Madame, it will
suffice you for me to follow this custom of your ancestors--you will
spare my brother this ceremony."

"And why?" asked Madame Witte, astonished. "His shoes are no cleaner or
finer than yours, or those of other men. Have the kindness to take off
your shoes also."

"You are right, madame," said the king, seriously. "We must leave off
the old man altogether; therefore, you ask but little in requiring us to
take off our shoes before entering your state apartment." He stooped to
undo the buckles of his shoes, and when Balby wished to assist him, he
resisted. "No, no; you shall not loosen my shoes--you are too worthy for
that. Madame Witte mi