ou forgive thy father!"

"We will go to your son," said Anton, taking the arm of the old man, who
unresistingly allowed himself to be led back to his own house.

From thence Anton hurried to Councilor Horn, with whom he had a long
conversation.

It was late before he returned home. In the midst of his anxiety about
those whose prosperity had filled his imagination years before, the
confidence that they, in their adversity, reposed in him, dilated his
breast with a feeling of pride. He burned with desire to help them, and
hoped that his zealous devotion might yet find some way of rescue. As
yet he saw none. Looking up at the great building before him, so firm
and secure, in the moonlight, a thought flashed into his mind. If any
man could help them, it was his principal. His keen eye would be able to
unravel all the dark secrets in which the baron was entangled, and his
iron strength of will would crush the villains who held the unfortunate
nobleman in their power. And then he had a noble nature; he always
decided on the right, without an effort or a struggle. Anton looked at
the first floor. The whole house-front was dark, but in a corner room a
light still burned. It was the private office of his chief.

With sudden resolve, Anton begged the servant to take him to Mr.
Schroeter, who looked with amazement at the unexpected visitor, and asked
what brought him, and whether any thing had happened.

"I implore your counsel--I implore your help," cried Anton.

"For yourself or for others?" inquired the merchant.

"For a family with whom I have accidentally become connected. They are
lost if a strong hand does not ward off the impending catastrophe."
Anton then rapidly related the occurrences of the afternoon, and,
seizing his principal's hand in his emotion, cried, "Have pity upon the
unhappy ladies, and help them."

"Help them!" replied the merchant; "how can I? Have you been
commissioned to apply to me, or are you only following the impulse of
your own feelings?"

"I am not commissioned; it is only the interest that I take in the
baron's fate which leads me to you."

"And what right have you to inform me of facts communicated in strict
confidence to yourself by the baron's lady?" asked the merchant, dryly.

"I am committing no indiscretion in telling you what will, in a few
days, be no secret, even to strangers."

"You are unusually excited, otherwise you would not forget that, under
no circumstances whatever,