ting his mother and unmarried sisters, and
enable himself to live according to his rank and old aristocratic
name. Baron Weingarten would have made any sacrifice, submitted to any
service, to obtain wealth. Poverty had demoralized him, pride had laid
a mildew on his heart and stifled all noble aspirations. As he read
a letter, just received from his mother, complaining of wants and
privations, telling of the attachment of a young officer to his sister,
and that poverty alone prevented their marriage, his heart was filled
with repining, and at this moment he was prepared to commit a crime, if,
by so doing, he could have obtained wealth.

In this despairing and sorrowful mood he had entered the office,
and awaited in vain for petitioners who would pay him richly for
his services. But the hours passed in undisturbed quiet, and Baron
Weingarten was in the act of leaving the office, as the servant
announced Baron von Waltz, and the court councillor, Zetto, from Vienna.

He advanced to meet the two gentlemen, with a smiling countenance, and
welcomed his Austrian countrymen heartily.

The two gentlemen seated themselves silently; Weingarten took a seat in
front of them.

A painful, embarrassed pause ensued. The majestic Baron von Waltz looked
silently at the ceiling, while the black, piercing eyes of the little
Councillor Zetto examined the countenance of Weingarten with a strangely
searching and penetrating expression.

"You are from Vienna?" said Weingarten at last, putting an end to this
painful silence.

"We are from Vienna," answered the baron, with a grave bow. "And have
travelled here post-haste to have an interview with you."

"With me?" asked the secretary of legation, astonished.

"With you alone," said the baron, gravely.

"We wish you to do the King of Prussia a great service," said Zetto,
solemnly.

Weingarten reddened, and said confusedly: "The King of Prussia! You
forget, gentlemen, that my services belong alone to the Empress Maria
Theresa."

"He defends himself before he is accused," said Zetto, aside. "It is
then true, as we have been told, he is playing a double game--serves
Austria and Prussia at the same time." Turning to Baron Weingarten, he
said: "That which we ask of you will be at the same time a service to
our gracious empress, for certainly it would not only distress, but
compromise her majesty, if an Austrian officer committed a murder in
Prussia."

"Murder!" cried the secretary of l