his guard. "He has, in the presence
of witnesses, made use of expressions which prove that he is acquainted
with the papers, knows where they are to be found, and purposes to make
use of them."

"That may be enough for a lawyer, but not enough for a man of business,"
continued Veitel. "Do you know his exact words?"

Anton parried the question, and struck at his opponent by saying, "His
statements are known exactly by me and by others, and have occasioned my
visit to you."

Itzig had to quit this dangerous ground. "And what sum will the baron
spend in the recovery of these papers? I mean to say, is it an affair
that is worth the outlay of time and trouble? I have a great many other
matters on hand. You could hardly expect me to devote myself, for the
sake of a couple of louis-d'or, to the search of any thing so
insignificant and difficult to find as papers that some one has hidden."

Years ago, when the two were traveling together to the capital, where
they now met as opponents, it was the Jew-boy who was in search of
papers on which his childish folly fancied his fortune dependent. At
that time he was ready to buy the baron's estate for Anton, and now it
was Anton who was in search of important documents, and who applied to
him for the baron's property. Veitel had discovered the mysterious
receipt he then looked for; he held the baron's estate in his hands, and
his destiny neared its fulfillment. Both thought at the same moment of
the day of their common journey.

Anton replied, "I am authorized to treat with you as to the sum; but I
would observe that the matter is a pressing one. I therefore entreat you
to inform me whether you are prepared to deliver the documents to the
Baron Rothsattel, and to be employed in our interest as regards the
purchase of the mortgages."

"I will make inquiries, and consider whether I can serve you," coldly
replied Veitel.

Anton rejoined as coldly, "How much time do you require to make up your
mind?"

"Three days," said the agent.

"I can only give you four-and-twenty hours," said Anton, positively.
"If, in that time, you have not informed me of your intention, I shall,
on the baron's behalf, take every possible step to procure the papers,
or to convince myself of their destruction, and I shall use my present
knowledge respecting their abstraction and hiding-place to discover the
perpetrator of the felony." Then taking out his watch, he said,
"To-morrow, at the same hour, I sh