He offered to buy or sell any thing or every thing, to transact any kind of business, to spy or carry messages; and when he found out that Anton was a good deal with the military, and that a certain young lieutenant, in particular, went often with him to the "Restauration," Tinkeles began to offer whatever he conceived might prove attractive to an officer.

True, Anton remained firm in his resolve of not dealing with him, but at last he had no longer the heart to treat the poor devil roughly; and Tinkeles found out from many a suppressed smile, or short question put, that Anton's intercession for him with the principal was not quite hopeless.
And for this he served with the perseverance of his ancestor Jacob.
One morning young Rothsattel came clattering into Anton's room.

"I have been on the sick-list.

I had a bad catarrh, and was obliged to remain in my comfortless quarters," said he, throwing himself on the sofa.

"Can you help me to while away time this evening?
We are to have a game at whist.