oward the candle light--and
again cursed. The barrels were clogged up. Notwithstanding, he plucked
forth the cleaning-rod and forced it into one of the tubes. There was
a slight resistance, and something fluttered to the floor and rolled
about. The second tube was treated likewise, with the same result.
Johann laughed silently. The fifty crowns were tangible; he could hear
them jingling in his pocket, and a pretty music they made. He returned
the leather case to its original place and devoted his attention to the
cylinder-shaped papers on the floor.

For a quarter of an hour Johann remained seated on the floor, in the
wavering candle light, forgetful of all save the delicate tracings of
steel engraving, the red and green inks, the great golden seal, the
signatures, the immensity of the ciphers which trailed halfway across
each crackling parchment. He counted sixteen of them in all. Four
millions of crowns.... He was rich, rich beyond all his wildest dreams.

He rose, and restored the gun to its case. Fifty crowns? No, no! A
hundred thousand, not a crown less; a hundred thousand! all thoughts of
the green baize and the rattle of the roulette ball passed away. There
was no need to seek fortune; she had come to him of her own free will.
Wine, Gertrude of the opera, Paris and a life of ease; all these were
his. A hundred thousand crowns, a hundred thousand florins, two hundred
thousand francs, two hundred thousand marks! He computed in all monetary
denominations; in all countries it was wealth.

Something rose and swelled in his throat, and he choked hysterically. A
voice whispered "No, not a hundred thousand; four millions!" But reason,
though it tottered, regained its balance, and he saw the utter futility
of attempting to dispose of the orders on the government independently.
His hands trembled; he could scarcely hold this vast treasure. Twice,
in his haste to pocket the certificates, they slipped from his grasp
and scattered. How those six syllables frolicked in his mind! A hundred
thousand crowns!

He extinguished the candle and laid it on the floor, put the quilt
on the bed, then climbed through the window, which he closed without
mishap. He descended the ladder. As he reached the bottom round his
heart gave a great leap. From the alley came the sound of approaching
steps. Nearer and nearer they came; a shadow entered the courtyard and
made straight for the door, which was but a few feet from the reclining
ladder.