d a play-party at my house,
inviting you thither with your bank, as you may remember; and finding
means, at the same time, to let Maxime de Magny know that there was
to be faro at Madame de Liliengarten's. It was an invitation the poor
fellow never neglected.'

I remembered the facts, and listened on, amazed at the artifice of the
infernal Minister of Police.

'The spy came back from his message to Lowe, and stated that he had made
inquiries among the servants of the house where the Heidelberg banker
lodged, and that it was the latter's intention to leave X----that
afternoon. He travelled by himself, riding an old horse, exceedingly
humbly attired, after the manner of his people.

'"Johann," said the Minister, clapping the pleased spy upon the
shoulder, "I am more and more pleased with you. I have been thinking,
since you left me, of your intelligence, and the faithful manner in
which you have served me; and shall soon find an occasion to place you
according to your merits. Which way does this Israelitish scoundrel
take?"

'"He goes to R----to-night."

'"And must pass by the Kaiserwald. Are you a man of courage, Johann
Kerner?"

'"Will your Excellency try me?" said the man, his eyes glittering: "I
served through the Seven Years' War, and was never known to fail there."

'"Now, listen. The emerald must be taken from that Jew: in the very
keeping it the scoundrel has committed high treason. To the man who
brings me that emerald I swear I will give five hundred louis. You
understand why it is necessary that it should be restored to her
Highness. I need say no more."

'"You shall have it to-night, sir," said the man. "Of course your
Excellency will hold me harmless in case of accident."

'"Psha!" answered the Minister; "I will pay you half the money
beforehand; such is my confidence in you. Accident's impossible if you
take your measures properly. There are four leagues of wood; the Jew
rides slowly. It will be night before he can reach, let us say, the
old Powder-Mill in the wood. What's to prevent you from putting a
rope across the road, and dealing with him there? Be back with me
this evening at supper. If you meet any of the patrol, say 'foxes are
loose,'--that's the word for to-night. They will let you pass them
without questions."

'The man went off quite charmed with his commission; and when Magny was
losing his money at our faro-table, his servant waylaid the Jew at the
spot named the Powder-Mill, in t