I would most humbly inquire whether you will be so gracious as to pay it me ?" The sad seriousness of the hour was for a moment lost upon the baron when he saw the lank figure twisting and turning before him, making faces and attempting to be polite.

"Who are you ?" inquired he, with all the dignity of his race.
"Veitel Itzig is my name, gracious sir, if you will permit me to announce it to you." The baron started on hearing the name of Itzig.

That was the man of whom he had been warned--the invisible, the merciless.
"I was till now book-keeper at Ehrenthal's," modestly continued Itzig; "but Ehrenthal was too haughty for me.

I have come into a small sum of money, and I have invested it in Mr.Pinkus's business.

I am on the point of establishing myself." "You can not have the money at present," said the baron, more composedly.