chair, she saluted Anton with dignity. "In our position," said she,
"we need a friend who knows more of business than we three do. An
unfortunate accident prevents the baron--possibly for a long time to
come--from managing his own affairs, and, little as I understand them, I
can see that our interests require prompt measures. My children have
mentioned you to me, but I fear I am unreasonable in asking you to
devote your time to our service."

She sat down, beckoned Anton to take a chair, and said to her children,
"Leave us; I shall be better able to tell Mr. Wohlfart the little that I
know when I do not see your grief."

When they were alone, she motioned him nearer and tried to speak, but
her lips quivered, and she hid her face in her handkerchief.

"Before I can consent, gracious lady," said he, "to your reposing in me
such confidence as this, I must first inquire whether the baron has no
relative or intimate friend to whom you could with less pain make such a
communication. I pray you to remember that my own knowledge of business
is but small, and my position not one to constitute me a proper
counselor to the baron."

"I know no one," said the baroness, hopelessly. "It is less painful to
me to tell you what I can not conceal, than to one of our own circle.
Consider yourself a physician sent for to visit a patient. The baron has
this morning told me some particulars of his present circumstances." And
then she proceeded to relate what she had gathered as to the nature of
his embarrassments, the danger in which the family property was placed,
and the capital needed to take possession of the Polish estate.

"My husband," continued she, "has given me the key of his desk, and he
wishes Eugene, with the help of a man of business, to go over his
papers. I now request of you to make this examination together with my
son. When you need explanations, I will try to obtain them from the
baron. The question is now, whether you are inclined to undertake this
trouble for us, who are only strangers."

"I am most willing to do so," earnestly replied Anton; "and I hope that
the kindness of my principal will allow me the time needful for the
purpose, if you do not consider it more advisable to depute the baron's
experienced legal adviser to the task."

"There will be an opportunity of asking that gentleman's advice later,"
said the baroness.

Anton rose. "When do you wish to begin?"

"Immediately. I fear there is not a day to