ot have the watch which was described in
the police notice. This fact, however, did not make the old man's heart
any lighter, for the purse mended with yellow thread was too clearly the
one stolen from the murdered man found in the quiet street in Hietzing.

"What's the matter with you, you're so slow? I can get along better
myself," growled the tramp, pushing the old man away from him. Goldstamm
had really begun to tremble now in spite of his control, in the fear
that the man would get away from him before the police came.

The tramp was already dressed in the new suit, into a pocket of which he
put the old purse.

"There, now the boots and then we're finished," said the dealer with an
attempt at a smile. In his heart he prayed that the pair he now held in
his hand might not fit, that he might gain a few minutes more. But the
shoes did fit. A little pushing and stamping and the man was ready to
leave the store. He was evidently in a hurry, for he paid what was asked
without any attempt to bargain. Had Goldstamm not known whom he had
before him now, he would have been very much astonished at this, and
might perhaps have been sorry that he had not named a higher sum. But
under the circumstances he understood only too well the man's desire to
get away, and would much rather have had some talk as to the payment,
anything that would keep his customer a little longer in his store.

"There, now we're ready. I'll pack up your old things for you. Or
perhaps we can make a deal for them. I pay the highest prices in the
city," said Goldstamm, with an apparent eagerness which he hoped would
deceive the customer.

But the man had already turned towards the door, and called hack over
his shoulder: "You can keep the old things, I don't want them."

As he spoke he opened the door of the store and stood face to face with
a policeman holding a revolver. He turned, with a curse, back into the
room, but the dealer was nowhere to be seen. David Goldstamm had done
his duty to the public, in spite of his fear. Now, seeing that the
police had arrived, he could think of his duty to his family. This duty
was plainly to save his own life, and when the tramp turned again to
look for him, he had disappeared out of the back door.

"Not a move or I will shoot," cried the policeman, and now two others
appeared behind him, and came into the store. But the tramp made no
attempt to escape. He stood pale and trembling while they put the
handcuffs o