Military informers were given short shrift.

It was not a matter of tearing off orders and buttons; it was death.

Who was this terrible old man, with the mind of a serpent and the strength of a bear?
The colonel went to the barracks, but his usual debonair was missing.
"I am going into the garden, Gretchen.

Bring me a stein of brown." The mountaineer smiled genially.
"But I am not working here any more," said Gretchen.
"No ?" "She has had a fortune left her," said Fraeu Bauer.
"Well, well!" The mountaineer seemed vastly pleased.

"And how much is this fortune ?" "Two thousand crowns." Gretchen was not sure, but to her there always seemed to be a secret laughter behind those clear eyes.
"Handsome! And what will you do now ?" "She is to study for the opera." "Did I not prophesy it ?" he cried jubilantly.
"Did I not say that some impresario would discover you and make your fortune ?" "There is plenty of work ahead," said Gretchen sagely.
"Always, no matter what we strive for.