ence of two other persons.

"I will now withdraw a moment, in order that you may determine whether
you will undertake the service under this condition, and, if you think
it expedient, may choose a foreman."

He bowed. There was something theatrical and yet gravely composed in
his manner of speaking, and in the way in which he now withdrew for a
moment into the adjoining apartment.

The assembled gentlemen looked at one another; but no one spoke: all
eyes were turned upon Clodwig, from whom an opinion was first expected.

He said now in a quiet and low tone,--

"Herr Weidmann will be so good as to undertake the office of foreman.
We need one to make, in the first place, the necessary preliminary
arrangements."

Weidmann at once accepted the position, and announced that he agreed to
the proposal for a written verdict. The rest were also ready; but
Professor Einsiedel, beginning timidly, and gaining more and more
confidence as he proceeded, said that this ought not to exclude
consultation together in order to elucidate and confirm the individual
opinion: otherwise, all the effect of a common tribunal would be lost,
and it would be superfluous for them to sit there together.

This opinion was acceded to, and Eric was deputed to call Sonnenkamp
again into the room.

As Eric opened the door, he thought he noticed a nestling like that
made by a silk dress, and he was at a loss what to make of it.

He found Sonnenkamp in the seed-room, hurriedly smoking a cigar: he
laid it down, and went back to the audience-room.

Weidmann informed Sonnenkamp of the conclusion they had come to, and
the remarks of Professor Einsiedel. Sonnenkamp nodded assent. "Before I
resume," he said, taking one of the pieces of wood with a smile, "I
must beg indulgence for a habit which I am sorry to say I cannot drop.
I am in the habit, when I am alone, busy in thought--and I shall
address you as if I were alone--as I remarked, I am accustomed either
to smoke or to whittle, oftentimes both together. I can compose myself
better if my accustomed practice is now indulged in."

He seated himself, took one of the bits of wood, and, cutting a deep
notch around it, began,--

"I beg that any one of you will interrupt me with questions if
involuntarily I leave any thing obscure or unexplained. Now then: I am
the only son of the richest man in Warsaw. If I tell you of my youth,
it is not because I wish to throw the responsibility of my acts upon
circu