ourse, as a good Christian, he believed that the Jew had obtained
Balatka's money by robbery and fraud. He hesitated a moment before he
presented himself at the door, having some fear at his heart. He knew
that he was doing right, but these Jews in their own quarter were
uncanny, and might be dangerous! To Anton Trendellsohn, over in the
Kleinseite, Souchey could be independent, and perhaps on occasions a
little insolent; but of Anton Trendellsohn in his own domains he almost
acknowledged to himself that he was afraid. Lotta had told him that, if
Anton were not at home, his commission could be done as well with the
old man; and as he at last made his way round the synagogue to the
house door, he determined that he would ask for the elder Jew. That
which he had to say, he thought, might be said easier to the father
than to the son.

The door of the house stood open, and Souchey, who, in his confusion,
missed the bell, entered the passage. The little oil-lamp still hung
there, giving a mysterious glimmer of light, which he did not at all
enjoy. He walked on very slowly, trying to get courage to call, when,
of a sudden, he perceived that there was a figure of a man standing
close to him in the gloom. He gave a little start, barely suppressing a
scream, and then perceived that the man was Anton Trendellsohn himself.
Anton, hearing steps in the passage, had come out from the room on the
ground-floor, and had seen Souchey before Souchey had seen him.

"You have come from Josef Balatka's," said the Jew. "How is the old
man?"

Souchey took off his cap and bowed, and muttered something as to his
having come upon an errand. "And my master is something better to-day,"
he said, "thanks be to God for all His mercies!"

"Amen," said the Jew.

"But it will only last a day or two; no more than that," said Souchey.
"He has had the doctor and the priest, and they both say that it is all
over with him for this world."

"And Nina--you have brought some message probably from her?"

"No--no indeed; that is, not exactly; not to-day, Herr Trendellsohn.
The truth is, I had wished to speak a word or two to you about the
maiden; but perhaps you are engaged--perhaps another time would be
better."

"I am not engaged, and no other time could be better."

They were still out in the passage, and Souchey hesitated. That which
he had to say it would behove him to whisper into the closest privacy
of the Jew's ear--into the ear of the old Jew o