s servant he was generally reticent, but not so excessively
secretive, for Frank Bruner was well-informed of the extent of his
master's treasures, although he was not fully aware of the amount he
had brought with him.

Poor Frank led a miserable existence on that passage to New York, and
many times after he had settled himself in his berth for a
comfortable night's sleep he would be rudely awakened by his nervous
and suspicious master, who was continually imagining that somebody
was forcing an entrance into his state-room. He would start up with
affright, and nothing would allay his fears but a rigid examination
of the premises, which invariably resulted in finding nothing of a
suspicious or fear-inspiring nature.

Many times, upon remonstrating with his master about the
groundlessness of his fears, he would be made to feel the heaviness
of his hand, and chastisements were the reward of his devotion so
frequently that his usually submissive spirit began to rebel, and
Frank resolved to leave the service of so peculiar and so thankless a
master upon the first favorable opportunity that presented itself.

The journey, as we have said, was made in safety, and Henry Schulte,
with his wealth intact, arrived in New York, and, seeking a quiet,
comfortable hotel, he was directed to "THE CRESCENT," where he soon
wended his way, and to which he directed his servant to have his
trunks conveyed without delay.

The hotel which he had selected was a German boarding-house, of
modest dimensions and of unpretentious appearance. Over its doorway
swung the faded sign of the Crescent, and over its destinies presided
the portly, good-natured landlord, who dispensed the creature
comforts to the limited number of guests who lodged beneath his roof.

Henry Schulte entered the little room of the hotel which was used as
a bar-room, and, paying no attention to the other occupants, he
seated himself at one of the tables, ordered a bottle of wine, which
he proceeded to drink slowly until nearly finished, after which he
pushed the bottle and glass towards his thirsty and longing servant
and bade him consume the balance.

Seated around the room in various attitudes, but all engaged in the
occupation of smoking and drinking, were a number of men, all inmates
of the hotel, and all Germans, to whom the old man's appearance
naturally gave occasion for considerable curiosity.

Several attempts were made to cultivate his acquaintance and to
interro