The effect was curious; the family looked a trifle startled; much as if he was a half-remembered disappearance come back out of the long ago. It took them half a moment or two to wake up and pull themselves together; then they set him a chair where he could face the mirror, and gave him welcome and asked after his people, and so worked off the restraint that was in the atmosphere and got things going in a more or less natural and comfortable fashion. Joseph had not noticed anything; it was not to be expected that he would. He did not even seem to notice that Lilly's welcome did not come from her eyes, according to custom, but only from her mouth; but I noticed it. I was sorry, too; for this was a man, and could meet her on her own human level, and make her brief breath of life happy, and share with her the peace and oblivion of the grave afterward; whereas in her innocence and ignorance she was fixing her heart of flesh upon a spirit, a wanderer of the skies, an object as unattainable as a comet and not more competent to meet the requirements of a this-world fellowship.

Being asked for the news, Joseph said –

»Oh, there isn't any, of course, except the new stranger. It's all Philip Traum here, Philip Traum there, Philip Traum yonder – nothing but Philip Traum; but I suppose that that is no news to you – of course it isn't. Father is infatuated with him; so is everybody – in fact I don't mind saying I include myself. Well, you know, he is a wonderful creature; now there's no getting around that.« His voice took on a grave tone, and he added, »That youth is doing things which can get him into trouble – can, I say, though I hope they won't.«

Lilly paled a little, and asked –

»What kind of things?«

»Well, things which the people can't understand; strange things which set them to shaking their heads and talking under their breath. This morning he jumped off the bridge and saved old Haas from drowning; did it without an effort, they say, fat and monstrous as old Haas is.«

»It was a brave fine act,« said Lilly; »surely there was nothing about that for people to criticise and shake their heads over.«

»Well, you see, that wasn't the worst of it – I mean, that wasn't all of it. They might have overlooked the miracle of strength displayed, but they say the water didn't wet his clothes. They couldn't account for that.«

»Do you believe the water didn't wet his clothes, Joseph?«

»Well, you know, they say it didn't. They believed it, I am quite sure of it; and the police must have believed it, too, for when they heard of it they arrested him.«

»What a shame! and he had been doing such a brave thing. Papa, you will order them to set him free – you can't refuse.«

»Don't you worry,« said Joseph, »he's already free.«

»How is that?«

»He wouldn't go with them.«

»Did they try to make him?« my father asked.

»Yes, but he only made fun of them. They tried to carry him off by force, but they hadn't the strength; they couldn't budge him from where he stood. Then they were afraid; for he said that if they tried it again he would throw them in the river. Now you know that for some reason or other they were afraid, for if they hadn't been they would have summoned more help, that being the usual course; but this they did not do. They only crossed themselves and looked foolish. Then they asked him to come to headquarters and fill up the usual form which requires a stranger to give his address, name, age, religion, occupation, whence he is from, how long he proposes to stay, and all that; and he wouldn't do it, and laughed at them again, and walked off about his business, no one interfering. He doesn't seem to be afraid of anybody or any thing. Oh, yes, everybody is talking! Among other things, about his chess and his music – have you heard of that?«

»No.«

»Well, then, it's because it only came out yesterday evening, I suppose; but it is started, now, and you'll hear plenty about it soon. It happened four or five days ago, and yesterday evening Wilhelm Meidling lost his temper and told about it. The way of it was this.«

Then Joseph told all about the four chess games and that wonderful music.

»Do you see?« he continued, »it's all as astounding as Father Adolf's bowl and bottle, and his jugglery and gymnastics in the market square. Very well. Put this and that together, and what do you arrive at? This: we all know Father Adolf is possessed of a devil; that being the case, what is the matter with Philip Traum?«

It was a hard hit and sudden. It made them all jump. But Joseph didn't see it; he went tinkling right along:

»Well, now, that's my news; what's yours? You know Philip the Magician, as I call him; have you been favored yet? has he been exhibiting here?«

It was another hit. It made them look unwell. Mother glanced at Lilly, and she slid the embroidery out of sight. Joseph was having a very successful time with his random gun, but he didn't know it.

Mother replied, a little stiffly, that Mr. Traum had not been exhibiting here.