n; such things
were sprinkled along through the whole year after the grand
distribution of orders was over. He was already thinking to himself how
it would appear in that part of the paper in the morning, that His
Highness had, in his graciousness, seen fit to elevate Herr James
Sonnenkamp and his family, under the title of Baron von Lichtenburg, to
the hereditary dignity of nobles. And, what was more, the newspaper of
Professor Crutius must publish it.

Proud and erect, he strode for a long time up and down the chamber.
Then he recollected that the Cabinetsrath had informed him that the
Prince liked certain ceremonies, and that he would have to make oath
with his bare hand. He looked at his hand. How would it be if the
Prince asked about the ring on his thumb?

"Your Highness, that is an iron ring that I have worn since my
eighteenth year," said Sonnenkamp suddenly, as if he were standing in
the presence of the Prince.

But then again, he asked himself why he should expose himself to the
question. It might still be possible to take the ring off; the scar
could no longer be visible. With burning face he put his hand in water
until it was nearly numb, but the ring did not come off. He rang; Lootz
came, and he ordered him to bring ice. He held his hand on the ice, the
ring at last loosened about the thumb; it rubbed hard over the knuckle,
but at last came off. Sonnenkamp examined the sear that had been
concealed by the ring. Could any one now tell that it had been left by
a bite?

He was enraged with himself that he had awakened this remembrance
to-day. Of what use was it?

He rang for Lootz; he wanted to ask him what he would take the scar on
his thumb to be. But when Lootz came he let the question go, for it
might have excited curiosity; he gave the steward a commission for the
morrow, and finally sought rest in sleep. He did not find it for a long
while; for it seemed to him as if a chilly current of air were
continually circulating about the bare thumb. When he doubled up his
fist he felt it no longer, and so he finally went to sleep with his
fist clinched.

CHAPTER II.

DRILLING UNDER FIRE.

The sparrows were twittering with one another on the roof, but the
hack-drivers were chattering still more busily before the Hotel
Victoria, when, in the morning, Sonnenkamp's horses and double-seated
carriage waited before the porch of the hotel.

The l