s my view of the case."

"Well, then, Mr. Sturm, to make a long story short, I am called upon to
make a heavy payment to-morrow, and I want the money for it. The debt
has come upon me suddenly, and I have no time to communicate with my
father. I know no one in this town to whom I can turn with so much
confidence as to the father of our bailiff."

Sturm bent forward, and in his delight clapped the officer on the knee.
"That was nobly said. You are a gentleman, who keeps to his own house,
and does not go to strangers for what he can have from his own people.
You want money? My Karl is bailiff at your father the baron's; my Karl
has some money, so it is all right. How much do you want? A hundred
dollars? Two hundred dollars? The money is there."

"I can hardly take courage, Mr. Sturm, to tell you the amount of the
sum," said Eugene, embarrassed; "it is nineteen hundred dollars."

"Nineteen hundred dollars!" repeated the giant, in amazement; "that's a
capital; that's a firm; that's what people call a fortune."

"So it is, Mr. Sturm," said Eugene, sadly. "And since you are so
friendly toward me, I must own to you that I am heartily grieved that it
should be so much. I am ready to give you a note of hand for it, and to
pay any interest you may like."

"Do you know what," said Sturm, after some cogitation, "we will say
nothing about the interest; you can settle that with my Karl; but as to
the note of hand, that was a good thought of yours. A note of hand is
pleasant, on account of the chances of life and death. You and I would
have no need of such a thing; but I may die before my time. That would
not matter, for you, who know of the transaction, would still be there.
But then you might die, which, however, I have no fear of--quite the
contrary; but still such a thing might be, and then my Karl ought to
have your signature, so that he might come forward and say, 'My poor
young master has written this, therefore pay.'"

"You will then have the kindness to lend me the money?"

"There is no kindness in it," said Sturm; "it is but my duty, as the
thing is done regularly, and my dwarf is your bailiff."

Eugene was moved as he looked at the giant's laughing face. "But, Mr.
Sturm, I want the money to-morrow."

"Of course," replied Sturm, "that is just what suits me. Come, baron,
this way." He took up the candle, and led him into his bed-room. "Excuse
things being so disorderly; but I am a lone man, and at my work all day
l