gth and power.
The boy's heart went from him.... If he might but touch a fold of the
faded gown--seek a blessing from the wrinkled hands on the keys. Spring
was about him--white clouds and blossoms and the smell of fresh earth.
"By the waters, the waters of Babylon; by the waters." The slender,
delicate hands called out the notes one by one. Tears ran down the boy's
face. Gropingly he felt for the door--only to seek a blessing of the
hands....

The old verger waited at the foot of the stairs, nodding in the dim
light. He sprang up, startled and rubbing his eyes.

"I want to speak to him," said the youth humbly. "Only a word!"

The old man hesitated. The music had ceased and a slow step was coming
down the church--an old man's step.

"Ja. Stand there," he whispered. "It shall be as you wish. Stand there!"
He pushed the youth behind a pillar and stepped forward, his taper held
aloft.

"Mein Herr," he said softly.

The organist paused and looked at him inquiringly. His face was very
tired. "What wouldst thou, Wilhelm?" he said gently.

"It is a young man--" he stammered and paused.

"A young man?"

"He would speak with you, Mein Herr--but a word." The old man's voice
waited.

"Speak with me? Does he bring credentials?"

"Nay, your honor----"

The great organist drew his gown about him. "I have not time, Wilhelm.
Many seek me and life runs fast. I have not time." He bowed courteously
and moved on. As he passed the pillar a fold of his robe floated out and
touched the hand of the youth, kneeling there, hidden in the dim light.

VI

The choirmaster smiled deprecatingly. He had small, obsequious eyes and
narrow shoulders. "If the gracious Herr would be so good," he said,
shrugging them a little. "The people have assembled." He glanced back
over the fast-filling church and raised his eyebrows a trifle to
indicate the honor.

Bach smiled gravely. A humorous look came into his eyes. "Let the
service go on as usual," he said quietly. "When it is done, I will
play--if time allows."

The choirmaster squeezed his moist palms and wiped an anxious brow. "And
that, too--will be well," he murmured gratefully. "It will please the
old organist," he added apologetically.

Bach nodded his head. "I had thought of that."

The other stared. "You know Reinken?" he asked.

The great organist shook his head. "I have seen him." The humorous smile
played about his lips. "I have never spoken with him."

"He has bee