dining-room, where the family loved best to sit. The walls of this room
were graced by the pictures of the Vollmar ancestors, together with a
landscape by a famous master.

The old man's attention was attracted to this painting.

"What do I see?" he shouted. "This picture I once saw by candlelight,
and I cannot forget it."

"Strange," said Mr. Vollmar, "that it should have made such an
impression upon you."

"May I ask," continued the old man, "have you owned this picture long?
Have you lived here some time?"

Mr. Vollmar replied: "This house, as well as the picture, descended to
me from my sainted grandparents. But why do you ask?"

"I must inquire still further before I can answer. Tell me--did your
grandfather die in this house, or did he flee to a distant country
during the war?"

"He died far from here, in a strange land. But it surprises me how you
should hit upon this question."

"Did your grandmother die first?"

"Yes; but your questions disturb me."

The old man continued: "Was your own father present before your