“Yes, sir,” said the butler, “but, Master Frederick, your father left orders—­”

And Master Frederick drew himself up to a stately height.  “My father’s orders were left to me—­hic—­an’ not to you,” he said.  Then, clasping Jurgis tightly by the neck, he staggered out of the room; on the way another idea occurred to him, and he asked:  “Any—­hic—­cable message for me, Hamilton?”

“No, sir,” said the butler.

“Guv’ner must be travelin’.  An’ how’s the twins, Hamilton?”

“They are doing well, sir.”

“Good!” said Master Freddie; and added fervently:  “God bless ’em, the little lambs!”

They went up the great staircase, one step at a time; at the top of it there gleamed at them out of the shadows the figure of a nymph crouching by a fountain, a figure ravishingly beautiful, the flesh warm and glowing with the hues of life.  Above was a huge court, with domed roof, the various apartments opening into it.  The butler had paused below but a few minutes to give orders, and then followed them; now he pressed a button, and the hall blazed with light.  He opened a door before them, and then pressed another button, as they staggered into the apartment.

It was fitted up as a study.  In the center was a mahogany table, covered with books, and smokers’ implements; the walls were decorated with college trophies and colors—­flags, posters, photographs and knickknacks—­tennis rackets, canoe paddles, golf clubs, and polo sticks.  An enormous moose head, with horns six feet across, faced a buffalo head on the opposite wall, while bear and tiger skins covered the polished floor.  There were lounging chairs and sofas, window seats covered with soft cushions of fantastic designs; there was one corner fitted in Persian fashion, with a huge canopy and a jeweled lamp beneath.  Beyond, a door opened upon a bedroom, and beyond that was a swimming pool of the purest marble, that had cost about forty thousand dollars.

Master Freddie stood for a moment or two, gazing about him; then out of the next room a dog emerged, a monstrous bulldog, the most hideous object that Jurgis had ever laid eyes upon.  He yawned, opening a mouth like a dragon’s; and he came toward the young man, wagging his tail.  “Hello, Dewey!” cried his master.  “Been havin’ a snooze, ole boy?  Well, well—­hello there, whuzzamatter?” (The dog was snarling at Jurgis.) “Why, Dewey—­this’ my fren’, Mr. Rednose—­ole fren’ the guv’ner’s!  Mr. Rednose, Admiral Dewey; shake han’s—­hic.  Ain’t he a daisy, though—­blue ribbon at the New York show—­eighty-five hundred at a clip!  How’s that, hey?”

The speaker sank into one of the big armchairs, and Admiral Dewey crouched beneath it; he did not snarl again, but he never took his eyes off Jurgis.  He was perfectly sober, was the Admiral.