age, baron; it is good money, and there are many bad mortgages. To
be sure, there are good mortgages too; and, of course, people will say a
good deal to recommend their own. As to Loebel Pinkus, he is in but a
small way of business; but, so far as I know, a trustworthy man. All you
tell me about the mortgage sounds well, I own; but I humbly entreat you,
baron, to be cautious--very cautious."

The baron, not much enlightened by this worthy address, went to his town
house, and impatiently awaited for the arrival of the stranger, who soon
came. His name was Loewenberg, and his appearance was a sort of medley of
that of Ehrenthal and Pinkus, only he was thinner. He gave himself out
as a wine-merchant, and appeared intimately acquainted with the count
and his property. He said that the present possessor was young, and
lived abroad; that his father had been rather a bad manager; but that,
though the estate was burdened, it was not in the very least endangered.
The land was not in high cultivation, therefore was susceptible of
improvement, and he hoped the young count was the very man to see to it.
On the whole, his report was decidedly favorable; there was no
exaggeration about it--all was sensible and straightforward. The baron's
mind was very nearly made up, and he went off straightway to one of his
acquaintance, who knew the Zaminsky family. He did not hear much from
him certainly, but still it was rather favorable than otherwise. On the
other hand, Ehrenthal called to inform him that the wool of the sheep
of that district was seldom fine, and to beg that he would consult his
lawyer before he decided.

Ehrenthal's little office was on the same floor as the rest of the
apartments, and opened out upon the hall. It was evening before he
returned to it, in a state of great excitement. Itzig, who had been
sitting before a blank book, wearily waiting for his master, wondered
what could be the matter, when Ehrenthal eagerly said to him, "Itzig,
now is the time to show whether you deserve your wages, and the
advantage of a Sabbath dinner in good society."

"What am I to do?" replied Veitel, rising.

"First, you are to tell Loebel Pinkus to come here, and then to get me a
bottle of wine and two glasses. Next go and bring me word to whom in
Rosmin, Councilor Horn, who lives near the market-place, has written
to-day, or, if not to-day, to whom he writes to-morrow. In finding this
out you may spend five dollars, and if you bring me