"Anything terrible?" asked he further.
More nodding from Braun. The usurer began to feel uneasy. Many a nefarious deed stuck to his hands, but not one that had not been committed with all possible caution and secured against any afterclaps of the law. Yet might he not for once have been off his guard? "What has been detected? Speak!" urged the conscience-stricken villain anxiously.
"Mr. Shund, you are to be--in this place--"
"Arrested?" suggested the other, appalled, as the agent's breath failed him again.
"No--mayor!"
Shund straightened himself, and raised his hands to feel his ears.
"I am surely in possession of my hearing! Are you gone mad, fellow?"
"Mr. Shund, you are to be mayor and member of the legislature. It is a settled fact!"
"Indeed, 'tis quite a settled fact that you have lost your wits. It is a pity, poor devil! You once were useful, now you are insane; quite a loss for me! Where am I to get another bloodhound as good as you? Your scent was keen, you drove many a nice bit of game into my nets. Hem--so many instances of insanity in these enlightened times of ours are really something peculiar. Braun, dearest Braun, have you really lost your mind entirely? Completely deranged?"
"I am not insane, Mr. Shund. I have been assured from various sources that you are to be elected mayor and delegate to the legislative assembly."