ruel to drive an exhausted animal beyond his strength. Do you not
think so?"

The general nodded his assent in silence.

"You are of my opinion," cried Gotzkowsky. "Well, then, you will be
just, and not exact of this exhausted city, wearied unto death, more
than she can perform."

With glowing words and persuasive eloquence he explained to the
general how impossible it was for the city to pay the demanded war
contribution of four millions.

Tottleben let himself again be persuaded. In the presence of this
ardent, eloquent German patriot, his German heart resumed its power,
and compelled him to mercy and charitableness. He consented to reduce
the tax to two millions of dollars, if Gotzkowsky would guarantee the
punctual payment of the bonds given by the body of merchants, and
give two hundred thousand of it in cash down, as hush-money to the
Austrians.

The latter declared himself gladly willing to accept the orders, and
to stand security with his whole fortune for their payment. Both then
remained silent, as if fatigued by the long and severe war of words,
from which Gotzkowsky had always come out victorious.

The general stood at the window, looking into the street. Perhaps
he was waiting for Gotzkowsky to give vent to his warm and delighted
gratitude before he took leave. But Gotzkowsky did neither the one
nor the other. He remained with folded arms, his countenance full of
earnest courage and bold determination.

"I will finish what I have commenced," said he to himself. "I will
keep my word, and not move from the spot before I have pleaded for all
those to whom I promised my assistance. The general is at liberty to
curse my importunity, if I only do my duty toward my fellow-citizens."
As he still remained silent, Tottleben turned toward him laughingly.

"What," said he, "are you dumb? Is your eloquence exhausted? Indeed,
when I think of all that you have got out of me to-day, it almost
makes me smile." And he broke out into a merry, good-natured laugh.

"Well, laugh, sir," said Gotzkowsky, "I know you are fond of a laugh.
For example, you have just played a little joke on the Jews, and made
them believe that they have to pay an imposition--"

"Made believe?" interrupted Tottleben, hastily. "Man! be satisfied
that I have remitted two millions to the citizens. Don't speak up now
for the Jews."

"But the Jews are a part of the citizens."

"Are you crazy, man?" cried Tottleben, violently. "Is the Jew a
c