But none of the other men complied with this request; on the
contrary, all looked timidly aside, a misgiving dawning in their
minds that such a loud announcement of their names might not be
altogether without danger for them.

Germain did not wait for the final conclusion, but hastily returned
to his master, in order to inform him of what he had heard.

"Mr. Wenzel, of the tailors' guild, Mr. Tailor Kahlbaum, and the
other gentlemen, whatever their names may be, are welcome." said the
minister, aloud, but without interrupting his meal for a single
moment.

The men thereupon advanced to the door of the dining-room. But here
a proud and imperious glance from the minister caused them suddenly
to halt.

"I believe you have breakfasted already?" asked Thugut.

"Yes, we have breakfasted already," replied Mr. Wenzel, in a surly
voice.

"Well, unluckily, I have not, and so I request you to let me finish
my breakfast first," said Thugut, attacking once more the wing of
the turkey on his plate.

A long pause ensued. The men stood in the most painful embarrassment
at the door, where the minister's stern glance had arrested them,
and a most unpleasant apprehension of what might be the result of