," said Anton, placing his own hand on it.

"Do not be too severe with me," implored Tinkeles.

"Hear me," said Anton. "I want nothing unfair--nothing which an
honorable man need object to. I might perhaps expose you to a legal
examination, and get at what I want without cost, but I know of old your
objections to law, and therefore I offer you money. If you were amenable
to other motives, it would be enough to tell you that a family has been
made unhappy because you did not tell me more long ago. But this would
be useless with you."

"Yes," said Tinkeles, candidly, "it would be useless. Let me see the
money that you have put up for me. Are there really two hundred
dollars?" continued he, looking greedily at the rolls. "Very well, I
know they are right. Ask me what you want to know."

"You have told me that Itzig, Ehrenthal's former book-keeper, was
plotting to ruin Baron Rothsattel?"

"Has it not turned out as I said?" asked Tinkeles.

"I have reason to assume that you spoke the truth. You mentioned two
men. Who was the other?"

The trader stopped short. Anton made a feint of removing the money.

"Let it lie there," entreated Tinkeles. "The other is named Hippus,
according to what I have heard. He is an old man, and has lived a long
time with Loebel Pinkus."

"Is he in business?"

"He is not of our people, and not in business. He is baptized. He has
been a barrister."

"Have you ever had any dealings with Itzig?"

"God preserve me from that man!" cried Tinkeles; "the very first day
that he came to town he tried to open the cupboard in which my effects
were. I had trouble to prevent him from stealing my clothes. I have
nothing to do with such men."

"So much the better for you," replied Anton; "now hear me out. The baron
has had a casket stolen, in which most important documents were kept.
The robbery took place in Ehrenthal's office. Have you chanced to hear
of it? or have you any suspicion as to who the thief may be?"

The Galician looked restlessly around the room, at Anton, at the money,
and then, with closed eyes and a resolute tone, replied, "I have not."

"This, however, is just what I want to hear; and the money is for him
who gives me information respecting it."

"If I must speak, then," said the Galician, "I must. I have heard that
the man named Hippus, when drunk, has screamed, and has said, 'Now,
then, we have the red cock; he is done for; owing to those papers, he is
doomed.'"

"And you