said he. 'Let
them shoot away, and go you among them and see that you keep the wagons
for me. Perhaps you can sell them, perhaps you can bring them back; at
all events, it is better that we should have them than any one else.'
And so I came and waited till the wagons arrived, and I spoke with the
landlord, saying that, since the goods could not reach you, it was
better they should fall into our hands. But that the landlord should
prove such a man of blood, that I did not wish, and did not know; and
since I saw how he cut your master's arm, I have had no peace, and I
have ever seen before me the bloody shirt, and the fine cloth of his
great-coat, which was cut in two."

Anton listened to this confession with an interest that outweighed the
aversion he felt for these--not uncommon--manoeuvres of Galician
traders. He contented himself with saying to the delinquent, "Your
rascality has cost Mr. Schroeter a wounded arm; and, had we not appeared
upon the scene, you would have stolen from us twenty thousand dollars."

"Not twenty thousand," cried Schmeie; "wool is very low, and there's
nothing to be made of tallow. Less than twenty thousand."

"Indeed!" said Anton, disdainfully; "and now, what am I to do with you?"

"Do nothing with me," implored Schmeie, laying his hand on Anton's coat.
"Let the whole matter go to sleep. You have the goods, be satisfied with
that. It was a good business that which Mausche Fischel was not able to
undertake because you hindered him."

"You still regret it," said Anton, indignantly.

"I am glad that you have the property," replied the Jew, "because you
shed your blood about it; and therefore do nothing with me; I will see
whether I can't please you in other matters. If you have any thing for
me to do in this place, it will be a satisfaction to me to help you."

Anton coldly replied, "Although I have promised not to bring your
thievishness to judgment, yet we can never deal with you again. You are
a worthless man, Tinkeles, and have dealt unfairly with our house.
Henceforth we are strangers."

"Why do you call me worthless?" complained Tinkeles. "You have known me
as an upright man for years past; how can you call me worthless because
I wanted to do a little stroke of business, and was unfortunate and
could not do it? Is that worthless?"

"Enough," said Anton; "you may go." Tinkeles remained standing, and
asked whether Anton required any new imperial ducats. "I want nothing
from you,"