Jew presently, "I like to please a gentleman if I
can. I give you one box of cigars besides--real Cubans--one hundred and
feefty in a box."

The captain at this broke forth again, but checked himself presently on
the entrance of the Jew's daughter, who now returned from the Major's.
She advanced quietly into the room, made a little bow to the captain,
took off and laid aside her shawl, and, taking up some work, sat down
and began to sew.

Von Dessel resumed his expostulation in a milder tone. The Jew, however,
knew the money was necessary to him, and only yielded so far as to
increase his box of cigars to two hundred; and the captain, finding he
could get no better terms from him, was forced to agree. While the Jew
was drawing out the bills, the German gazed attentively at Esther, with
a good deal of admiration expressed in his countenance.

"I can't take the money now," said he, after signing the bills. "I am
going on duty. Bring it to me to-morrow morning, at nine o'clock."

"I'm afraid I can't, sare," said Lazaro; "too much business. Couldn't
you send for it, captain?"

"Not possible," said the German; "but you must surely have somebody that
might bring it--some trustworthy person you know." And his eye rested on
Esther.

"There's my dater, sare," said the Jew--"I shall send her, if that will
do."

"Good," said the captain, "do not forget," and quitted the room
forthwith.

He was scarcely gone when a pair with whom the reader is already
slightly acquainted, Mr and Mrs Bags, presented themselves. The effects
of their morning conviviality had in a great measure disappeared.

"Your servant, sir," said Bags. The Jew nodded.

"We've got a few articles to dispose of," pursued Mr Bags, looking round
the room cautiously. "They was left us," he added in a low tone, "by a
deceased friend."

"Ah!" said the Jew, "never mind where you got 'em. Be quick--show them."

Mrs Bags produced from under her cloak, first a tin tea-kettle, then a
brass saucepan; and Mr Bags, unbuttoning his coat, laid on the table
three knives and a silver fork. Esther, passing near the table at the
time, glanced accidentally at the fork, and recognised the Flinders
crest--a talbot, or old English bloodhound.

"Father," said she hastily, in Spanish, "don't have anything to do with
that--it must be stolen." But the Jew turned so sharply on her, telling
her to mind her work, that she retreated.

The Jew took up the tea-kettle, and examined