He appeared in his shirt-sleeves, looking hot, but radiant.
"'Don't wait for me,' he said, 'you go on, I'll follow you.

I've got something to finish.' "As she turned to obey he called after her, 'Tell them I'm going to bring a young man with me--such a nice young man, and an excellent dancer.

All the girls will like him.' Then he laughed and closed the door.
"Her father generally kept his doings secret from everybody, but she had a pretty shrewd suspicion of what he had been planning, and so, to a certain extent, was able to prepare the guests for what was coming.
Anticipation ran high, and the arrival of the famous mechanist was eagerly awaited.
"At length the sound of wheels was heard outside, followed by a great commotion in the passage, and old Wenzel himself, his jolly face red with excitement and suppressed laughter, burst into the room and announced in stentorian tones: "'Herr Geibel--and a friend.' "Herr Geibel and his 'friend' entered, greeted with shouts of laughter and applause, and advanced to the centre of the room.
"'Allow me, ladies and gentlemen,' said Herr Geibel, 'to introduce you to my friend, Lieutenant Fritz.

Fritz, my dear fellow, bow to the ladies and gentlemen.' "Geibel placed his hand encouragingly on Fritz's shoulder, and the lieutenant bowed low, accompanying the action with a harsh clicking noise in his throat, unpleasantly suggestive of a death rattle.

But that was only a detail.
"'He walks a little stiffly' (old Geibel took his arm and walked him forward a few steps.