and the millionaire for once rejoiced in the
consciousness of possessing the might of money.

They halted before the Palais Greifmann. Holt noticed with surprise how
the man in blouse drew from his waistcoat pocket a small instrument
resembling a toothpick, and with it opened a door near the carriage
gate. Had not every shadow of suspicion been driven from Holt's mind by
Seraphin's appearance, he would surely have believed that he had fallen
into the company of burglars, who entrapped him to aid in breaking into
this palace.

Reluctantly, after repeated encouragement from Gerlach, he crossed the
threshold of the stately mansion. He had not quite passed the door when
he took off his cap, stared at the costly furniture of the hall through
which they were passing, and was reminded of St. Peter's thought as the
angel was rescuing him from the clutches of Herod. Holt imagined he saw
a vision. The man who had unlocked the door disappeared. Seraphin
entered an apartment followed by Shund's victim.

"Do you know where you are?" inquired the millionaire.

"Yes, sir, in the house of Mr. Greifmann the banker."

"And you are somewhat surprised, are you not?"

"I am so much astonished, sir, that I have several times pinched my
arms and legs, for it all seems to me like a dream."

Seraphin smiled and laid aside his cap. Holt scanned the noble features
of the young man more minutely, his handsome face, his stately bearing,
and concluded the man in the blouse must be some distinguished
gentleman.

"Take courage," said the noble looking young man in a kindly tone. "You
shall be assisted. I am convinced that you are an honest, industrious
man, brought to the verge of ruin through no fault of your own. Nor do
I blame you for inadvertently falling into the nets of the usurer, for
I believe your honest nature never suspected that there could exist so
fiendish a monster as the one that lives in the soul of an usurer."

"You may rely upon it, sir. If I had had the slightest suspicion of
such a thing, Shund never would have got me into his clutches."

"I am convinced of it. You are partially the victim of your own good
nature, and partially the prey of the wild beast Shund. Now listen to
me: Suppose somebody were to give you a thousand florins, and to say:
'Holt, take this money, 'tis yours. Be industrious, get along, be a
prudent housekeeper, serve God to the end of your days, and in future
beware of usurers'--suppose somebody wer