use in a doctor. They may know what is the matter with many men, that
I don't deny; but how should they know what is the matter with us? Not
one of them can lift a barrel."

"If you have no doctor, my good Mr. Sturm," cried Anton, throwing open
the window, "let me begin at once to play a doctor's part. If your
breathing be oppressed, this close atmosphere is poison to you; and if
you suffer from your feet, you ought not to go on drinking." And he
moved the beer-mug to another table.

"Hum, hum, hum!" said Sturm, watching his proceedings; "well meant, but
of no use. A little smoke keeps one warm, and we are accustomed to the
beer. After I have sat on this bench all day alone, without work or
company, it is a pleasure to me that my friends should come and enjoy
themselves with me of an evening. They talk to me, and I get some
tidings of the business, and of what is going on in the world."

"But you yourself, at least, might abstain from beer and tobacco,"
replied Anton; "your Karl would tell you the same; and, as he is away,
you must let me take his place." Then turning to the others, "I will
convince him that he is wrong; leave me alone with him for half an
hour."

The giants left the room. Anton sat by the invalid and spoke on the
father's favorite topic--spoke of his son.

Sturm forgot all his dark forebodings, and got into excellent spirits.

At last he turned to Anton with his eyes shut, and said, confidentially,
"Nineteen hundred dollars. He came here once again."

"But you gave him nothing?" anxiously inquired Anton.

"Only a hundred dollars," said the old man, apologetically. "He is dead
now, the poor young gentleman. He looked so handsome with his
epaulettes. While a man is a son, he ought not to die: it gives too much
sorrow."

"I have spoken of your claim to Herr von Fink," said Anton; "he will see
that you are paid."

"That Karl is paid," suggested old Sturm, looking round; "and you, Mr.
Wohlfart, will undertake to give into my boy's hands what remains in the
chest, if I do not myself see my little fellow."

"If you don't give up this idea," cried Anton, "I shall become your foe,
and shall treat you with the greatest severity. Early to-morrow morning
you may expect me to bring you Mr. Schroeter's doctor."

"He is a worthy man, no doubt," said Sturm; "his horses must be
remarkably well fed, they are so fat and strong, but he can do nothing
for me."

The following morning the doctor visited the i