library, Mr. Stirling," Peter noticed that both girls turned impulsively
to look at him, and that the daughter flushed red.

He found Mr. Bohlmann standing uneasily on the rug by the fireplace, and
a stout woman gazing out of the window, with her back to the room.

"I had a call from your lawyer this morning, Mr. Bohlmann," said Peter,
"and I have taken the liberty of coming to see you about the cases."

"Sid down, sid down," said his host, nervously, though not sitting
himself.

Peter sat down. "I want to do what is best about the matter," he said.

The woman turned quickly to look at him, and Peter saw that there were
tears in her eyes.

"Vell," said the brewer, "what is dat?"

"I don't know," said Peter, "and that's why I've come to see you."

Mr. Bohlmann's face worked for a moment. Then suddenly he burst into
tears. "I give you my word, Mr. Stirling," he said, "that I didn't know
it was so. I haven't had a happy moment since you spoke that day in
court." He had heretofore spoken in English with a slight German accent.
But this he said in German. He sat down at the table and buried his face
in his arms. His wife, who was also weeping, crossed to him, and tried
to comfort him by patting him on the back.

"I think," said Peter, "we had best drop the suits."