"You are to witness Falk's signature. Do you understand?"
Olle took the pen and wrote his name in obedience to the two guarantors' dictation. When he had done so, he turned to the bench to lie down again but Borg prevented him.
"Wait a minute," he said, "Falk must first sign a counter-guarantee."
"Don't do it, Falk," said Olle; "it'll end badly, there'll be trouble."
"Silence, you dog," bellowed Borg. "Come here, Falk! We've just guaranteed your bill, as you know; all we want now from you is a counter-guarantee in place of Struve's, against whom an action has been brought."
"What do you mean by a counter-guarantee?"
"It's only a matter of form; the loan was for eight hundred crowns on the Painters' Bank; the first payment has been made, but now that Struve has been proceeded against, we must find a substitute. It's a safe old loan and there are no risks; the money was due a year ago."
Falk signed and the other two witnessed.
Borg carefully folded the bills and gave them to Levin who immediately turned to go.
"I'll give you an hour," said Borg. "If you are not back with the money by then, I'll set the police on your track."