times when the homes of
knights and barons were such castles as this.

When they had looked their fill at all these they left the castle for the
village surrounding it, which consisted of reproductions of very old
German houses with small porticos and sharp gables.

These covered three or four acres of ground and were built around a court,
in the centre of which was a music stand where a band of twenty musicians,
in white uniforms and military caps, were almost constantly playing upon
their instruments, making such delightful music that crowds of people
flocked to hear them.

Our friends enjoyed it greatly, and for a time did nothing but stay there
and listen while watching the players and the crowd.

But the children began to show signs of weariness and the captain, Violet,
Grandma Elsie, and several of the others rose and moved on with them into
a cottage which stood in the back part of the grounds.

It was a picturesque-looking building and there were a number of Germans
in and about it, many of them evidently sight-seers like our friends. It
was furnished in truly German style, with quaint old-fashioned mantels,
holding old pieces of bric-a-brac, and quaint dishes and cabinets hanging
on the walls.

One room on the left as they entered seemed to be attracting particular
attention, and they presently turned to it, paused an instant at the open
door, then walked in, the captain and Violet with their two little ones
leading the way.

The principal objects in the apartment were two wax figures, life size,
representing a man and woman seated at a table apparently dining
together.

Our party stood for a moment silently gazing, then Mr. Lilburn and Walter
Travilla followed them into the room, though hardly seeming to belong to
their party.

Catching sight of the figures at the table, Walter nudged the old
gentleman, gave him a significant, laughing glance, then stepping forward
addressed the waxen man in a serious tone as though he thought him a
living person.

"Excuse me, sir, but I am a stranger here and would like to ask a little
information in regard to what may be seen that is really worth looking
at."

At that there was a general laugh among the other spectators, and an
exchange of glances that seemed to say he must be either very blind or
extremely simple.

Walter did not seem to notice, however, but went on: "Are the upper floors
open to visitors, sir? and are there refreshments served there, or in