compelled to pause for some moments, and listen to groans, hoots, howls,
and the rapping of empty flagons on the stout table.

The commotion was interrupted by the entrance of the landlord, who
brought with him the promised Rhine wine; for, hearing the noise, he
supposed it represented impatience of the company at the delay, a
mistake which no one thought it worth while to rectify. He promised that
the fish would follow in a very few minutes, and went out to see that
his word was kept.

"Why should we be sparing of the wine?" asked a capable drinker, who had
drained his flagon before asking the question. "With all that money on
the table it seems to me a scandalous proviso."

"'Tis not a command at all," replied Roland, "but merely a suggestion. I
spoke in the interests of fair-play. An appointment was made by me for
ten o'clock this evening, and I wish to keep it and remain uninfluenced
by wine."

"What's her name, Roland?" inquired the wine-bibber.

"I was about to divulge that secret when you interrupted me. The name is
Herr Goebel."

"What! the cloth merchant on the Fahrgasse?"

"Is it cloth he deals in? I didn't know the particulars of his
occupation beyond the facts that he is a merchant, and lives in the
Fahrgasse. This morning I enjoyed the privilege of presenting to Herr
Goebel a mutually beneficial plan which would give us all something to