fill up those steins of mine with ale. That will be all. I brought
those steins from across, Jack; you'll go crazy over them, for they are
beauties."

A college-bred bachelor, nine times out of ten, has a mania for
collecting pipes or steins, or both. Dan and I had been affected this
way. During the year I had studied at Heidelberg I had gathered
together some fifty odd pipes and steins. I have them yet, and many a
pleasant memory they beget me. As for the steins of Dan, they were
beyond compare.

"I'll tell you a story about them," said Dan, after he had taken a deep
swallow of the amber ale. "Few men can boast of steins like these.
Not many months ago there was a party of men and women, belonging to
the capital of a certain kingdom, who attended a dinner. It was one of
those times when exalted personages divest themselves of the dignity
and pomp of court and become free and informal. There were twenty of
these steins made especially for the occasion. By a circumstance, over
which I had no control, I was the only alien at this dinner. The
steins were souvenirs. How I came by two was due to the lady whom I
took down to dinner, and who presented hers to me after having--after
having--well, kissed the rim. Do you see the crest?" pointing to the
exquisite inlaid work.

"Why," I said eagerly, "it is the crest of----"

"Yes, a noted King," Dan completed. "And these were made by his
express command. But never mind," he broke off. "It's merely a part
of the story I am going to tell you when we get to my rooms. I am
always thinking of it, night and day, day and night. Talk to me, or