wood, who had made his
escape after swindling his creditors. He laid down the paper, and the
drops stood on his brow. "If it should be the same man!"

Ehrenthal had given no name. Had he, a man of honor, been the means of
defrauding just claims; had he taken part in a swindling transaction,
ay, and gained by it too! The thought was too fearful. He hurried to his
desk that he might pack up and send off the accursed profits--whither he
knew not, but any where, away. He saw with horror that only a small
portion of them remained. In extreme agitation, he rang the bell, and
sent for Ehrenthal.

As chance would have it, Ehrenthal was gone on a journey. Meanwhile
arose those soothing inward voices which know so well how to place
things doubtful in a favorable light. "How foolish this anxiety! There
were hundreds of dealers in wood in that part of the country; and was it
likely that this very man should be Ehrenthal's client? Or, even if he
were, in a business point of view, how could they help the use he might
make of their money? Nothing could be fairer than the transaction
itself." Thus the voices within; and oh! how attentively the baron
listened.

But still, when Ehrenthal at length appeared, the baron met him with an
expression that positively appalled him. "What was the name of the man
from whom you bought the wood?" cried he.

Ehrenthal had read the newspaper too, and the truth now flashed upon
him. He gave a name at once.

"And the place where the wood lay?"

Ehrenthal named that too.

"Are you telling me the truth?" asked the baron, drawing a third deep
breath.

Ehrenthal saw that he had a sick conscience to deal with, and treated
the case with the utmost gentleness. "What is the baron uneasy about?"
said he, shaking his head; "I believe that the man with whom I dealt has
made a good profit out of the affair. Nothing could be more fair than
the whole transaction. But, even had it not been so, why, my good sir,
should you be troubled? There was no reason why I should not tell you
the names, both of the man and place, before; but I did not do so,
because the bargain was mine, not yours. I became your debtor, and I
have repaid you with a bonus--a large one, it is true; but I have dealt
with you for years, and why should I keep back from you the share of
profit which I should have had to give any one else?"

"That is all right, Ehrenthal," said the baron, more graciously; "and I
am glad that the case stands t