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"Do you deny it?" Gretchen was not cowed by his anger, which her own evenlyhis hat fro it violently at her feet; "yes, I deny it I aht to look any man in the eye"

"I have asked youIt is a pleasant way to avoid answering I have given you my heart and all its secrets Have you opened yours as frankly?"

To ic and sense is the simplest way to overcome it The vintner saw himself at bay He stooped to recover his hat, not so ain it but to steal time to conjure up soin I swear to you that I love you as a ladly fling these riches to the wind for your sake If I were a king, I'd barter ; I have coo together to the police-bureau and settle this doubt once and for all"

"When?" Gretchen's heart was groar for ive me!" brokenly

"Come!"

"No, Leopold, this test is not necessary"

"I insist This thingthat the man I loved was a coward!"

"I am braver than you dream, Gretchen" And in truth he was, for he was about to set forth for the lion's den, and only a cleverness could extricate him Man never enters upon the foolhardy unless it be to dazzle a wo "Let us hurry; it is growing late They will be shutting off the lights before we return"

The police-bureau was far away, but the distance was nothing to these healthy young people

They progressed at a smart pace and in less than twenty minutes they arrived It was Gretchen who drew back fearfully

"After all, will it not be foolish?" she suggested

"They will be searching for me," he answered

"It will be easier if I present "

"I will go in with you," determinedly

The police officer, or, to be more particular, the sub-chief of the bureau, received them with ill-concealed surprise

"I have learned that you are seekingoff his cap His yellow curls waved about his forehead in moist profusion