The magnificence of the carved work upon the portal charmed the boys, and when they entered they were filled with admiration of the splendid stained glass windows and the grand paintings.  They stood for some time gazing at the monument of the Emperor Gunther of Schwartzburg, and Uncle Braun informed them that he was the only emperor who had been buried there.

They heartily appreciated the privilege of seeing the great cathedral in the company of one who could give them reliable information, and when they left it, they walked through the narrow, ancient streets on their way to the Romerberg Square, and their guide said as they passed along, “In it stands the Romer, or Council House where the German emperors were elected and entertained.

“When crowned in the cathedral they walked to the Council House, followed by a great retinue of princes and the other great people of the earth, while the streets, doors, windows and roofs of the houses were filled with spectators.

“When the crowned emperor disappeared within the walls of the Council House, all eyes were turned in expectation to the windows of Kaiser Hall.  Very soon the centre one was opened, and the Kaiser appeared in his imperial robes, the crown upon his head, in his left hand the imperial globe of the kingdom, and in his right the sceptre.

“A storm of applause greeted him, and at the same moment all the bells of the city rang in rejoicing over the crowning of a new emperor.”

It was a delight to the boys after hearing this on their way there to step into this Kaiser Hall and see the portraits of the emperors looking down upon them.  Uncle Braun told them of each emperor, and was glad to see that they were very well acquainted with history, and in turn could tell him something of each of them.

“It would have been easier to study history if we could have come to this Kaiser Hall first,” remarked Franz.  “I know a good deal of Charles the Great, but I like better to hear of Frederick Barbarossa.”

“You are making a great chasm in your likings,” laughed Uncle Braun; “see how many emperors come between them.  Besides, I think you are mistaken in thinking it would have made history easier had you come here first.  Instead, your knowledge of history has made you take interest in these portraits which you could not have taken had you not known something of them.  So it is with all travelers.  The more they have read of a place, the more intelligent appreciation they have of it when they see it.”

The boys gazed with great interest at each portrait, and also at the white marble statue of Emperor William I, which had been placed there and unveiled in March, 1892.

“Now that we have enjoyed living in the past, let us step out upon the balcony and look at the present in the form of the beautiful Romerberg Square, its green lawn, and its fountain,” suggested their guide.

It was a stirring scene upon which they gazed.  People were going to and fro; and among them Franz saw two familiar figures.