s in the evening he was able to drive it away a
while, but it was sure to return in the morning.

It was one of these weary mornings that Mr. Ehrenthal, who had to pay
for some grain, was announced. The very name was at that moment
unpleasant to the baron, and his greeting was colder than usual; but the
man of business did not mind little ups and downs of temper, paid his
money, and was profuse in expressions of devoted respect, which all fell
coldly, till, just before going away, he inquired, "Did the promissory
notes duly arrive?"

"Yes," was the ungracious reply.

"It is sad," cried Ehrenthal, "to think of forty-five thousand dollars
lying dead. To you, baron, a couple of thousands or so is a mere trifle,
but not to one of my sort. At this moment I might speculate boldly, and
safely too; but all my money being locked up, I must lose a clear four
thousand." The baron listened attentively; the trader went on: "You have
known me, baron, for years past, to be a man of honor, and of some
substance too; and now I will make a proposition to you. Lend me for
three months ten thousand dollars' worth of promissory notes, and I will
give you a bill of exchange, which is as good as money. The speculation
should bring in four thousand dollars, and that I will divide with you
in lieu of interest. You will run no risk; if I fail, I will bear the
loss myself, and pay back the principal in three months."

However uninteresting these words may appear to the reader, they threw
the baron into such a state of joyous excitement that he could scarce
command himself sufficiently to say, "First of all, I must know what
sort of a bargain it is that you wish to drive with my money." Ehrenthal
explained. The offer of purchasing a quantity of wood had been made to
him, which wood lay on a raft in an upper part of the province. He would
take all the expense of transport on himself; and he proceeded to
demonstrate the certain profit of the transaction.

"But," said the baron, "how comes it that the present proprietor does
not carry out this profitable scheme himself?"

Ehrenthal shrugged his shoulders. "He who means to speculate must not
always inquire the reason of bargains. An embarrassed man can not wait
two or three months; the river is at present frozen, and he wants the
money in two or three days."

"Are you sure that his right to sell is incontestable?"

"I know the man to be safe," was the reply; "and that, if I pay him this
eveni