ke of
policy. For if instead of ladies there were only one lady, exactly
half the pleasure would be lacking. So generous were this nobleman's
instincts!

During their drive to Lincoln Lodge the Baron had hesitated to broach
his new project to his friend for the very reason that, after the glow
of his first enthusiastic proposal to Eva was over, it seemed to him a
vast undertaking for a limited object; but driving home he lost no time
in confiding his scheme to the Count.

"The deuce!" cried Bunker. "That will mean three more days here at
least!"

"Vat is tree days, mine Bonker?"

"My dear Baron, I am the last man in the world to drop an unpleasant
hint; yet I can't help thinking we have been so unconscionably lucky up
till now that it would be wise to retire before an accident befalls us."

"Vat kind of accident?"

"The kind that may happen to the best regulated adventurer."

The Baron pondered. When Bunker suggested caution it indeed seemed time
to beat a retreat; yet--those two charming ladies, and that alluring
tartan tableau!

"Ach, let ze devil take ze man zat is afraid!" he exclaimed at last.
"Bonker, it vill be soch fun!"

"Watching you complete two conquests?"

"Be not impatient, good Bonker!"

"My dear fellow, if you could find me one girl--even one would content
me--who would condescend to turn her eyes from the dazzling spectacle of
Baron Tulliwuddle, and cast them for so much as half an hour a day upon
his obscure companion, I might see some fun in it too."

The Baron, with an air of patronizing kindness that made his
fellow-adventurer's lot none the easier to bear, answered reassuringly--

"Bot I shall leave all ze preparations to be made by you; you vill not
have time zen to feel lonely."

"Thank you, Baron; you have the knack of conferring the most princely
favors."

"Ach, I am used to do so," said the Baron simply, and then burst out
eagerly, "Some feat you must design for me at ze sports so zat I can
show zem my strength, eh?"

"With the caber, for instance?"

The Baron had seen the caber tossed, and he shook his head.

"He is too big."

"I might fit a strong spring in one end."

But the Baron still seemed disinclined. His friend reflected, and then
suddenly exclaimed--

"The village doctor keeps some chemical apparatus, I believe! You'll
throw the hammer, Baron. I can manage it."

The Baron appeared mystified by the juxtaposition of ideas, but serenely
expressed himself a