"I dare say it is some of my grandmother's raspberry vinegar," suggested
Richard.

"Nonsense! Do you suppose father would have hidden away raspberry
vinegar in this cellar?"

"Perhaps he was as fond of old things as some other people I know,"
answered Richard.

"You always are so sarcastic," muttered the Consul. "I wish we could get
at these bottles."

"You'll have to creep in after them, Christian Frederick. I am too
stout."

"All right," answered his brother, taking off his watch and heavy bunch
of seals. And the old gentleman crept into the bin with the utmost care.
"Now I've got one," he cried.

"Take two while you are about it."

"Yes; but you will have to take hold of my legs and pull me out."

"_Avec plaisir_!" answered Richard. "But won't you have a drop of
Burgundy before you come out?"

There must have been some joke hidden in the question, for the Consul
began to laugh; but before long he stammered out, "I am choking, Dick;
will you pull me out, you fiend?"