all call for your reply."

And so the important interview ended. As the door closed behind Anton,
Itzig's resolve was taken. "Only one week," muttered he, "to my
betrothal to Rosalie! The following day I shall find the notes of hand
in a corner of Ehrenthal's office. Then Rothsattel and his friends must
come to an arrangement upon my own terms. By the threat of a legal
investigation, and of making the baron's misconduct public, I can force
this Wohlfart to any thing I like. Only a week! If I hold out so long,
the game is mine."

When Anton returned at the expiration of the four-and-twenty hours, he
found the office closed. He called again in the evening: no one at home.
The following morning the shrewd youth appeared at the door, and
informed him that Mr. Itzig was gone on a journey, that he might perhaps
return that very hour, but might, on the other hand, be absent for some
days.

Anton knew, from his fluency, that the youth spoke according to orders
given.

He next went to an official, who had the reputation of being one of the
cleverest detectives in the town--cautiously disclosed the essentials
respecting the stolen casket--expressed his suspicions of the robbery
having been effected by Hippus, under Itzig's directions--and revealed
the incomplete warnings of the worthy Tinkeles. The detective listened
with attention, and at length said, "Out of all the inadequate
information that you have given, the name of Hippus interests me most.
He is a very dangerous character, and hitherto I have not exactly known
how to get at him. On account of swindling and petty rascalities, he has
often been punished, and the police have their eye upon him. I will do
all I can for you, so far as he goes. I will have him and his effects
searched this very day. I tell you beforehand we shall find nothing. I
am further prepared to repeat this search in the course of a few days,
at the risk of lowering my character in the eyes of the brave Hippus;
for our trick of making thieves feel safe by means of superficially
searching them may indeed answer with novices, but would never avail
with this old hand. It is certain that we shall find nothing at our
second search."

"Of what use can the measure be to me, then?" asked Anton, in a tone of
resignation.

"Of more than you fancy. It may further your game with the agent Itzig;
for, generally speaking, the effect of a search is to make the parties
uncomfortable. And though I am not quite su