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this against your will, which would be unfair!
Would it? said Erica, smiling, as she slipped her hand into his.
Haeberlein had taken a newspaper out of his pocket, and was
searching for something. The gas light fell on his cleanshaven
face, revealing a sweettempered mouth, keen blue eyes, a broad
German forehead, and closely cropped irongray hair. Erica thought
him scarcely altered since their last meeting. He threw down his
newspaper as she approached.
Well, my Herzblattchen! he exclaimed, saluting her with a double
kiss, so you are not ashamed of your old friend? So, holding her
at arms' length and regarding her critically, POtztausend! The
English girls do beat ours all to nothing. Well, my Liebchen, dost
thou remember the day when thou carried the Casati dispatches in
thy geography book under the very nose of a spy? It was a brave
deed that, and it saved a brave man's life.
Erica smiled and colored. I was not so brave as I seemed, she
said. My heart was beating so loud, I thought people must hear
it.
Has thou never heard the saying of the first Napoleon, 'The
bravest man is he who can conceal his fear?' I do not come under
that category, for I never had fear never felt it. Thou wouldst
not dream, Herzblattchen, that spies are at this moment dogging my
steps while I jest here with thee?
Is that indeed true? exclaimed Erica.
They explained to her a little more of Haeberlein's errand and the
risk he ran; he alluded to his hopes that Raeburn might not be
involved in any unpleasant consequences. Erica grew pale at the
bare suggestion.
See, exclaimed Haeberlein, the little one cares more for your
reputation than you do yourself, my friend. See what it is to have
a daughter who can be afraid for you, though she can not be afraid
for herself! But, Liebchen, Thou must not blame me for coming to
see him. Think! My best friend, and unseen for seven years!
It is worth a good deal of risk, said Erica, brightly. But as
the terror or having her father's name mentioned in connection with
Herr Kellner's once more returned to her, she added, pleadingly,
And you WILL be careful when you leave the house?
Yes, indeed, said Haeberlein. See what a disguise I have.
He hastily donned the black wig, mustache and eyebrows, and the
long Italian cloak.
Erica looked at him critically.
Art thou not satisfied? he asked.
Not a bit, she said, promptly. In London every one would turn
to look twice at such a dress as that, which is what you want to
avoid. Besides, those eyebrows are so outrageous, so evidently
false.
She thought for a minute.
My brown Inverness, suggested Raeburn.

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