e placed at the head of the city administration in
order to convert the tide of public debt into a tide of prosperity.
Yes, herein lies the secret. Nor are the gentlemen entirely mistaken.
There are ways and means of making plus out of minus, of converting
stones into money. But the gentlemen have taken the liberty of
disposing of me without my previous knowledge and consent. I have not
even been asked. Quite natural, of course. Who asks a dog for
permission to stroke him? This is, I own, an unpleasant aftertaste.
Hem, suppose I were too proud to accept, suppose I wanted to bestow my
abilities and energies on my own personal interests. Come, now, old
Hans, don't be sensitive! Pride, self-respect, character, sense of
honor, and such things are valuable only when they bring emolument.
Now, the mayor of a great city has it in his power to direct many a
measure eminently to his own interest."

Another knock was heard at the door, and the usurer, taken by surprise,
saw before him the leader Erdblatt.

"Have you been informed of a fact that is very flattering to you?"
began the tobacco manufacturer.

"Not the slightest intimation of a fact of that nature has reached me,"
answered Shund with reserve.

"Then I am very happy to be the first to give you the news," assured
Erdblatt. "It has been decided to promote you at the next election to
the office of mayor and of delegate to the legislative assembly."

A malignant smile flitted athwart Shund's face. He shook his sandy head
in feigned astonishment, and fixed upon the other a look that was the
next thing to a sneer.

"There are almost as many marvels in your announcement as words. You
speak of a decision and of a fact which, however, without my humble
co-operation, are hardly practicable. I thought all along that the
disposition of my person belonged to myself. How could anything be
resolved upon or become a fact in which I myself happen to have the
casting vote?"

"Your cordial correspondence with the flattering intention of your
fellow-citizens was presumed upon; moreover, you were to be agreeably
surprised," explained the progressionist leader.

"That, sir, was a very violent presumption! I am a free citizen, and am
at liberty to dispose of my time and faculties as I please. In the
capacity of mayor, I should find myself trammelled and no longer
independent on account of the office. Moreover, a weighty
responsibility would then rest upon my shoulders, especially in