The eyes of the two men met, but only for a moment.
The mountaineer, who felt rejuvenated by this contrast, straightened his shoulders and started to cross the street to the tavern.
[Illustration: "Good night, Gretchen.

Good luck to you."] "Good night, Gretchen.

Good luck to you and your geese to-morrow." "Thanks, Herr Ludwig.

And will you be long in the city ?" "That depends; perhaps," adding a grim smile in answer to a grim thought.
He offered his hand, which she accepted trustfully.

He was a strange old man, but she liked him.