hing for the missing
treasures of Baron Trenck which had disappeared so unfortunately."

"Ah, sir, you speak like those who suspected us at court, and wished
to make the empress believe that we had enriched ourselves as
commissioners. Soon after this Trenck died, and Frederick von Trenck
hastened from St. Petersburg to receive his inheritance. How great
was his astonishment to find instead of the hoped-for millions a
few mortgaged lands, an income of a hundred thousand guilders, and
sixty-three creditors who claimed the property."

"He should have become one of the commissioners," remarked Weingarten,
mockingly. "Perhaps it would have then been easier for him to obtain his
possessions."

"He attempted it in another way, with the aid of money, bribery, and
persuasion. He has already succeeded in obtaining fifty-four of his
sixty-three processes, and will win the others in a few days."

"And then he will doubtless cause the commissioners to give in their
accounts, and close their books."

"Exactly. He has already commenced to do so. He ordered an investigation
to be made against the quartermaster, and the commander of the regiment
to which Franz von Trenck belonged. This man had accused Trenck of
having embezzled eight thousand of the imperial money, and Trenck
succeeded so far, that it was declared that it was not he, but his
accusers, who had committed the crime. The consequence was, that the
quartermaster was deposed, and it would have fared as badly with the
commander, had he not found powerful protection."

"And now the dangerous Frederick von Trenck will seize the property of
the commissioners."

"He would do so if we did not know how to prevent him. We must employ
every means to remove him, and, believe me, we are not the only men who
wish for his disappearance. A large and powerful party have the same
desire, and will joyfully pay ten thousand guilders to be freed from his
investigations."

Weingarten's eyes sparkled for a moment, and his heart beat quickly,
but he suppressed these joyful emotions, and retained his calm and
indifferent expression.

"Gentlemen," he said, quietly, "as you are speaking of a real criminal,
one who intends committing so great a crime, I am at your service, and
no money or promises are necessary to buy my assistance."

"Is he really a man of honor, and have we received false information?"
thought Zetto, who was misled for a moment by the quiet and virtuous
looks of the secr