GEBIFEKSTEIN. 161

excepting your society and that of your Korps? Think well
before you answer."

"Certainly not," replied Greif. "I am quite sure that you
have not. What a foolish question ! "

" It seems so to you, no doubt. But it is far from foolish.
You say that you remember that evening well. Then you
recollect that I told you I knew nothing of you or your family.
I made certain predictions. Well, I made them according to
the figure, as you saw by the unexpected arrival of that tele-
gram. But I lied to you about the rest. I knew perfectly well
who you were, whence you came, and what your father's half-
brother had done."

Greif had drawn back a little during the first part of this
declaration. At the statement that Kex had deceived him he
started and drew himself up, his face showing plainly enough
that his wrath was not far off.
" And may I ask your reasons for practising this deception
upon me ? " he inquired coldly.
" There is but one reason, and that is of a somewhat startling
nature," returned Kex, leaning back against the table and
resting his two hands upon it. " You allow that I have got no
personal advantage out of your friendship. I desired none.
I only wanted to know you."

"Why?"

"Because I am your cousin. My name is Rieseneck. T am
the only son of your father's half-brother."

Greif's eyes flashed, and the hot blood mounted to his face.
The information was surprising enough, and his hatred of his
uncle was likely to produce trouble.
" How did you dare to impose upon me in such a way ? " he
cried angrily.
