ed breaking the news to
Belz in order that the settlement of Rudnik's mortgage extension should
not be prejudiced. "But now," he added ingenuously, "it don't make no
difference, because Rudnik telephones me yesterday morning that the
whole thing is off on account he is married."

"Married!" Lesengeld cried. "Do you mean to told me that old
_Schlemiel_ gets married yet?"

"So sure as you are sitting there. And he says he would come round here
this morning and see you."

"He should save himself the trouble," Belz declared angrily. "Now
particularly that Blooma Duckman ain't up there at all, I wouldn't
extend that mortgage, not if he gives a deed to that Home to take
effect right to-day yet. I shouldn't begun with you in the first place,
Schindelberger."

Schindelberger seized his hat.

"I acted for the best," he said. "I am sorry you should get delayed on
your mortgage, gentlemen, _aber_ you shouldn't hold it up against
me. I done it for the sake of the Bella Hirshkind Home, which if people
gets sore at me on account I always act charitable, that's their
lookout, not mine."

He started for the door as he finished speaking, but as he placed his
hand on the knob some one turned it from the other side and the next
moment he stood face to face with Rudnik.

"So!" Schindelberger exclaimed. "You are really coming up here, are
you? It ain't a bluff, like you are taking my card to go up to the Home
and you never went near the place at all."

Rudnik shut the door behind him.

"What d'ye mean, I didn't go near the place at all?" he said angrily.
"Do you think I am such a liar like you are, Schindelberger? Not only
did I go near the place, but I got so near it that a hundred feet more
and the engine would knocked me into the front door of the Home
already."

It was then that Lesengeld and Belz observed the stout cane on which
Rudnik supported himself.

"I come pretty close to being killed already on account I am going up
to the Home," he continued; "and if nobody is asking me to sit down I
would sit down anyway, because if a feller gets run over by a train he
naturally don't feel so strong, even if he would escape with bruises
only."

"Did you got run over with a train?" Schindelberger asked.

"I certainly did," Rudnik said. "I got run over with a train and
married in six days, and if you go to work and foreclose my house on me
to-day yet, it will sure make a busy week for me." He looked
pathetically at Belz. "Unl