we trust you, by telling you
our secret. You know the story of the inheritance of Trenck?"

"He is the only heir of the pandour chieftain, Franz von Trenck."

"Correct. And do you know the history of this pandour chieftain Trenck?"

"I have heard a confused and uncertain statement, but nothing definite
or reliable."

"It is, however, a very interesting and instructive story, and shows how
far a man with a determined will and great energy can reach, when
his thoughts are directed to one end. Baron Trenck wished to be rich,
immensely rich--that was the aim of his life. Seduced by his love of
money, he became the captain of a band of robbers, then a murderer, a
church-robber; from that a brave soldier, and, at last, a holy penitent.
Robbing and plundering every-where, he succeeded in collecting millions.
The pandour chieftain Trenck soon became so rich, that he excited the
envy of the noblest and wealthiest men in the kingdom, so rich that he
was able to lend large sums of money to the powerful and influential
Baron Lowenwalde. You see, baron, it only needs a determined will to
become rich."

"Oh! the foolish man," said Weingarten, shrugging his shoulders.
"Lending money to a noble and powerful man, is making an irreconcilable
enemy."

"You speak like a prophet. It happened, as you say. Lowenwalde became
Trenck's enemy. He accused him of embezzling the imperial money, of
treachery and faithlessness--and Trenck was imprisoned."

"His millions obtained his release, did they not?"

"No. His riches reduced him to greater misery. His lands were
sequestered, and a body of commissioners were selected to attend to
them. Baron Waltz and myself belonged to this commission."

"Ah! I begin to understand," murmured Weingarten.

Baron Zetto continued, with a smile. "The commissioners made the
discovery that report had greatly exaggerated the riches of Trenck.
He had not many treasures, but many debts. In order to liquidate those
debts, we desired his creditors to announce themselves every day, and
promised them a daily ducat until the end of the process."

"I hope you two gentlemen were among his creditors," said Weingarten.

"Certainly, we were, and also Baron Marken."

"Therefore you have a threefold advantage from Trenck's imprisonment.
First, your salary as a member of the commission; secondly, as a
creditor--"

"And thirdly--you spoke of a threefold advantage?"

"And thirdly," said Weingarten, laughing, "in searc