know nothing more?" asked Anton, in painful suspense.

"Nothing," said the Galician; "it was long ago, and I understood but
little of what they said to each other."

"You have not earned the money," returned Anton, after a pause; "you
have told me scarce any thing. However, that you may see the stress I
lay upon obtaining information from you, take this hundred dollars; the
second will be given when you can put me on the track of the thief or
the lost papers. Perhaps that is not out of your power?"

"It is," said the Galician, positively, weighing the one roll in his
hand, and contemplating the other. "What Itzig does, he does so as not
to be overlooked; and I am a stranger in the place, and have no dealings
with rogues."

"See what you can do, however," replied Anton. "As soon as you hear any
thing, bring me word, and this money is yours. I need not caution you to
avoid exciting Itzig's suspicions. Do not let it appear that you know
me."

"I am no child," answered Tinkeles; "but I fear that I shall not be of
use to you in this matter."

With that he withdrew, having hid the money in the folds of his caftan.

Anton had now heard the name of the man who had probably committed the
robbery. But the difficulty of obtaining the missing documents without
legal aid seemed greater than ever. Meanwhile, he would risk a bold
step. He would enter into negotiations with Itzig himself, and make the
best use he could of the small amount of knowledge he had gained from
the Galician.

Itzig's shrewd boy opened the door to him. Anton stood opposite his
former schoolfellow, who knew of his return from the baron's estate, and
was prepared for this visit. The two men looked at each other for a
moment, both seeking to read the countenance and manner of the other,
and to arm themselves for the coming conflict. There were some things
that they had in common. Both were accustomed to maintain a calm
exterior, and to conceal the point at which they were aiming. Both were
accustomed to rapid induction, careful speech, and cool reserve. Both
had, in voice and manner, something of the formality which business
gives. Both were to-day in a state of excitement, which reddened Anton's
face, and even suffused Veitel's gaunt cheek-bones.

But the clear glance of the former encountered one that was unsteady and
lowering; the honest earnestness of his manner was met by a mixture of
presumption and obsequiousness. Each felt that his opponent was