Helen showed it . He glanced at the initials , and laid it down with a slight smile . `` The coat-of-arms is English , mademoiselle . '' `` Are you sure ? '' `` Quite so ; I understand heraldry . '' `` But the initials stand for Sigismund Palsdorf , and we know he is a German baron , '' broke in Amy , forgetting prudence in eagerness . `` If mademoiselle knows the name and title of this gentleman it will not be hard to find him . '' `` We only fancy it is the same because of the initials . I dare say it is a mistake , and the man is English . Inquire quietly , Hoffman , if you please , as this ring is of value , and I wish to restore it to its owner , '' said Helen , rather sharply . `` I shall do so , mademoiselle , '' and with his gentlemanly bow , the courier left the room . `` Bless me , what 's that ? '' cried Amy , a moment afterward , as a ringing laugh echoed through the corridor , -- a laugh so full of hearty and infectious merriment that both girls smiled involuntarily , and Amy peeped out to see who the blithe personage might be . An old gentleman was entering his room near by , and Karl was just about to descend the stairs . Both looked back at the girlish face peeping at them , but both were quite grave , and the peal of laughter remained a mystery , like all the rest of it . Late in the evening Hoffman returned to report that a party of young Englishmen had visited the castle that afternoon , and had left by the evening train . One of them had been named Samuel Peters , and he , doubtless , was the owner of the ring . A humorous expression lurked in the couriers eye as he made his report , and heard Amy exclaim , in a tone of disgust and comical despair , -- `` Samuel Peters ! That spoils all the romance and dims the beauty of the diamond . To think that a Peters should be the hero to whom I owe my safety , and a Samuel should leave me this token of regard ! ''
`` Hush , XXXXX , '' whispered Helen .
Amy German Helen Karl Palsdorf Peters afternoon couriers heraldry left