I have carried on this game too long.

I should have closed my books a year ago; but the trade was so good that I could not.
I was wise also, who in this one lucky year have nearly doubled my fortune.

And yet it would have been safer, before they guessed that I was so rich.

Greed--mere greed--for I do not need this money which may destroy us all! Greed! The ancient pitfall of my race." As he thought thus there came a knock upon his door.

Snatching up a pen he dipped it in the ink-horn and, calling "Enter," began to add a column of figures on a paper before him.
The door opened; but he seemed to take no heed, so diligently did he count his figures.