only another name in Russia for a poor debtor's grave.

Well, when all the bags had been removed, it was found that the box was
too full to admit of the last four, and these Barnwell placed at his
feet after the seat had been returned to its place, showing nothing
unusual.

"Now, then, back to the tavern, and not a word of this to anyone," said
Barnwell.

"Sir, I am your slave," said Ulrich.

"Say not that. You are my servant, my companion and friend. We are both
of us members of the same great order. You work in your way, I in mine.
There are no slaves in our order, Ulrich."

"It must be so, sir, for you say it," he replied, turning the horses
homeward.

This was conclusive.

The bags of gold made a heavy load, and bent the springs well down, but
the horses and the wagon were strong, and these would have deceived
almost anybody regarding the amount of weight they carried.

The roads being rough for some distance, they drove slowly and just
before getting out into the open they met a hunter with a good string of
game.

Remembering that he had gone out to shoot, and that they had no game,
Barnwell stopped the peasant and bought his choicest birds, after which
they drove to the tavern.

Barnwell handed the game to a servant, who afterwards held the horses
while he and Ulrich carried the four bags of gold to his room.

Then the wagon was carefully housed, as usual, and the horses taken care
of, after which Barnwell strolled leisurely into the bar-room, where the
landlord and his wife were examining the game.

"Good luck to-day, I see."

"Oh, yes, I've had very good luck to-day; and will you oblige me by
having one of those pheasants cooked for my supper, together with a stew
in your best German style made of one of those hares?"

"Certainly, sir," replied the landlady, at the same time bustling away
with the game.

"I am tired and hungry, so let me have the best you can do."

"With all my heart, sir."

"And, landlord, bring me a bottle of your choicest Johannisberg out here
on the porch, where I can enjoy it in the shade."

The landlord hastened to comply.

"What an appetite it gives, and how generous a good day's sport makes a
man," he mused. "A few such customers as this one is would make us rich,
and enable us to pay off the thousand marks due on our place."

He set the delicious wine before him, and Barnwell drank a hearty
draught.

"Ah! nowhere in the world can such wine be found as in Ger