They hastened up to the room, while the general scolded, furiously that he must sit still. Leberecht and Trude cast furious, menacing glances at each other.
Suddenly a loud crash was heard.
"They have broken open the door!" cried the general.
"I said that it was old and frail--what do you say now, beautiful Trude?"The old woman wiped with her hand the drops of perspiration from her forehead, caused by her anguish. "You are a bad fellow, and God will punish you for your treason, that you have tormented a noble, unhappy girl. I saw that you were an eavesdropper, and you know all.""She is gone!" shrieked the mother, rushing into the room.
"The room is empty," cried Ebenstreit. "Marie is not there. Tell us, Leberecht, what you know about it.""I will, if we can agree about the pay--the old woman bothers me, and beg the young gentleman to go into the next room with me.""O Almighty God, have compassion upon my poor little Marie,"murmured Trude, kneeling, and covering her face.
Ebenstreit in the mean time withdrew to the other room, followed by the servant.
"Speak!" commanded his master, "and tell me what you have to say."Leberecht shrugged his shoulders. "We are two men who have urgent business with each other. I am not at present a servant and you the master. I am a man who has an important secret to sell, and you are the man who would buy it.""What strange, unheard-of language is this?" said Ebenstreit, astonished.
"The language of a man who cannot only deprive the rich banker Ebenstreit of a lovely wife, but of his title also. You said yourself, sir, this morning, that it was only valid if you succeeded in marrying the daughter of General von Leuthen. No none knows where you can find your bride but me.""And Trude," said Ebenstreit, quickly.
"You know she will not betray Fraulein, and you have not even tried to make her.""You are mistaken; Trude is as easily bought as any one.""You say that because she has taken five hundred thalers from you.
She has not helped you, and it is useless to ask for your money, as she has not got it.""How so? Has she given it away?"
"You provided the money for your bride to run away and marry elsewhere, as Trude gave it to them."Ebenstreit stamped his foot with rage, striding backward and forward in furious excitement, while Leberecht watched him, sardonically smiling. "Let us come to an end with this business," said Ebenstreit, stopping before his servant. "You know where Fraulein can be found, and you wish to sell the secret--tell me your price.""Three thousand thalers, and a clerkship in your bank, which you intend to continue under another name.""You are beside yourself. I am not so foolish as to grant such senseless demands.""Every hour that you wait I demand a thousand thalers more, and if you stop to reflect long your betrothed and your title both are lost.""You are a miserable scamp!" cried Ebenstreit, enraged; "I will inform the police. There are means enough to force you to give the information.""I do not believe it. Trude will not tell you, and I should like to know what can force me if I will not. The king has done away with torture, and I have informed you how to make me speak. Three thousand thalers and a clerkship in your office. Take care! it is almost eleven o'clock--at midnight I shall demand four thousand."
