ubstance."

"Fetch the papers," replied Bernhard. "I must, with my own eyes, see you
give back to the baron what he wishes to retract, and receive from him
what he can still give."

Ehrenthal took out his handkerchief and wept aloud: "He is ill. I shall
lose him, and I shall lose my money too." Meanwhile the baron sat silent
and looked down. As for Itzig, he was clenching his fist convulsively,
and unconsciously tearing the curtain down from the pole.

Bernhard looked at his father's emotion unmoved, and repeated with an
effort, "I will have it so; bring the papers, father," Then he sank back
on his pillow. His father bent over him, but with a silent gesture of
aversion Bernhard waved him off, saying, "Enough! you hurt me."

Then Ehrenthal rose, took up his office-candle, and tottered out of the
room.

The baron sat still as before, but in the midst of his suspense he was
conscious of flashes that resembled joy. He saw a spot of blue in his
clouded sky. His promise given back to him, eight thousand dollars to
receive from the man in the window, he might look up once more. He took
Bernhard's hand, and, pressing it, said, "I thank you, sir--oh how I
thank you! You are my deliverer; you save my family from despair, and me
from disgrace."

Bernhard held the baron's hand firmly in his, and a blissful smile
passed over his face. Meanwhile the one in the window was grinding his
teeth in his phrensy of anxiety, and pressing himself against the wall
to control the fever-fit which shook him.

Thus they remained a long while. No one spoke. Ehrenthal did not return.
Suddenly the room door was burst open, and a man rushed in furious, with
distorted face and streaming hair. It was Ehrenthal, holding in his hand
the flaring candle, but nothing else.

"Gone!" said he, clasping his hands, and letting the candle fall; "all
gone! all is stolen!" He fell on his son's bed, and stretched out his
arms, as if to implore help from him.

The baron sprang up, not less horrified than Ehrenthal. "What is
stolen?" cried he.

"Every thing!" groaned Ehrenthal, looking only at his son. "The notes of
hand, are gone, the mortgages are gone. I am robbed!" screamed he,
springing up. "Robbery! burglary! Send for the police!" And again he
rushed out, the baron following him.

Half fainting and bewildered, Bernhard looked after them. Itzig now
stepped out from the window and came to the bed. The sufferer threw his
head on one side, and gazed at