l, now, what had he to do up there? Could it be possible that they
also were in his toils? That indeed would be bad, for Leimann had, in
spite of all, remained something like an aid and help to him in
becoming surety for payments promised or in calming obstreperous
creditors.

Meanwhile Herr Krause handed to Frau Leimann, scared almost out of her
wits, the summons in an action begun by the firm of Weinstein & Co.,
to which she owed a matter of four hundred marks for a silk robe
furnished by them.

She was in despair, and scurried to and fro in the room, vainly
cudgelling her brain for an idea that would bring her succor. What
could she do? Where should she get the money? She would go to Borgert
and ask him for the amount. But what would he think of her? Would he
not lose all respect for her?

For a moment she stood undecided in her room, and pressed both hands
against her wildly beating heart. Then she went resolutely to the door
and hastened down the back stairs.

She found Borgert musing in an easy-chair, and he did not even rise
when she entered, but merely waved his hand in greeting to her. But
she stepped up to him and kissed him tenderly on the forehead, and
then she sat down close by him. He was puzzled by her demeanor, and
looked up questioningly into her face.

"What kind of visitors do you receive nowadays?" he said pleasantly.

"I? Visitors?" Frau Leimann retorted with some embarrassment. "I have
received nobody,--truly not, nobody."

And while she said it her eyes wandered about the room without meeting
his.

"You have received no visitor? Oh, but that is a big fib!"

"Why should you say so, George; who should have been to see me?"

"Well, I merely thought a certain Herr Krause called on you."

"How do you know that?" she cried, startled by his knowledge.

"I know everything, my child; even that the bailiff was just in to see
you."

Frau Leimann was covered with confusion, and mechanically began to
fondle the seam of her little silk apron.

"Well, if you know, it is unnecessary for me to tell you. Yes, he was
to see me."

"And what did he want?"

The pretty woman told him the details. With a tear-choked voice she
exclaimed:

"I am lost if my husband hears of it!"

"But I don't see. If he has bought it he must, of course, pay for the
dress."

"He knows of nothing. I had to have the dress, the red silk, you know.
I told him at that time that my mother had sent it; for he would have
r