something to eat and drink. I am thirsty, and have not
another word to say at present."

Veitel hurried down stairs, and the old man, looking after him,
muttered, "Now for it! now for it!"

When Veitel had placed his meal before him, Hippus briefly inquired,
"How much?"

"Three hundred," said the old man; "and even then I must have time to
consider. It is not in my line, most worthy Itzig. I am willing to labor
in my vocation for less, as you have experienced ere now, but for a
noble exploit in the style of Cartouche and others of your friends, I
require better compensation. I am only a volunteer, and I can't say that
my preferences lie in this direction."

"Do mine?" cried Itzig. "If there be any other means to take, tell me
them. If you know how the baron and Ehrenthal can be kept asunder, say
so. Ehrenthal's only son will make peace between them; he will stand
between them like the winged cupid on a valentine between two lovers,
and we shall be done."

"_We_?" chuckled the old man. "_You_ will be done, you jackdaw. What are
your affairs to me?"

"Two hundred," cried Veitel, drawing nearer.

"Three," replied the old man, tossing off his glass; "but even then I
will not do it alone; you must be there."

"If I am to be there," said Veitel, "I can do it alone, and shall not
require your help. Listen to me. I will contrive that the office shall
be empty; that Ehrenthal and the baron shall leave the house at the same
moment. I will give you a sign, to say whether the papers are on the
table or in the press. It will be dark. You will have about half an
hour's time. I will fasten the house door, and unbolt the back door,
which is generally closed. It will all be so safe that a child of two
years might do it easily."

"Safe enough for you," said the old man, dryly, "but not for me."

"We have tried what could be done with the law, and it has not
answered," cried Veitel; "now we must defy it." He struck the balustrade
with his clenched fist, and ground his teeth fiercely. "And if you don't
choose to do it, still it shall be done, though I know that all the
suspicion will fall upon me, unless I am in Bernhard's room at the
time."

"Very fine indeed, gallant Itzig," said the man, adjusting his
spectacles, so as to observe more closely the expression of the other's
countenance. "Since you are so brave, I will not leave you in the lurch.
But three hundred."

The bargaining then began. The pair squeezed themselves