Wait! The new servant is in the hall again." She clapped her hands sharply and called out "Franz!" The new man appeared in the doorway almost on the instant.

"You may replenish the fire, Franz." The man, a sallow, precise fellow, crossed deliberately and poked the half dead fire; with scrupulous care he selected two great chunks of wood from the hopper near by and laid them on the coals, the others watching his movements with curious interest.
There was nothing about the fellow to indicate that he was other than what he pretended to be.
"Isn't it strange that we should have fires in July ?" she asked casually.

"The mountain air and the night fogs make it absolutely necessary in these big old houses." "We had a jolly fire in the Prince's room when I left the Castle.

Our monarch is subject to croup, you see." "That is all, Franz." The man bowed and left the room.

"What do you think of him ?" she asked, after a moment.
"He has a very bad liver," was all Tullis deigned to offer in response.
The Countess stared for a moment and then laughed understandingly.