sleeves and vest was very coarse. He wore a three-cornered hat,
without ornament; from under the hat fell long, brown, unpowdered
hair.

Behind this stranger there stood another, in plain, simple clothes;
under one arm he carried a small bag, and under the other a case
that contained either a yard-stick or a flute. He returned the
colonel's salutation with a grimace and a profound bow. A short
pause ensued, then the supposed strangers laughed heartily and
exclaimed:

"Do you not know us, Balby?"

Their voices started the colonel, and he stepped back.

"Sire, it is yourself."

"Yes, it is I, Frederick--not the king. Yes, I am Frederick, and
this capital servant is my good Deesen, who has sworn solemnly not
to betray our incognito, and to give no one reason to suspect his
high dignity as royal cabinet-hussar. For love of us he will, for a
few days, be the servant of two simple, untitled musicians, who are
travelling around the world, seeking their fortunes, but who,
unfortunately, have no letters of recommendation."

"But who will recommend themselves by their talents and
accomplishments."

The king laughed aloud. "Balby, you forget that you are a poor
musician, chatting with your comrade. Truly your courtly bow suits