"Cosel must escape," added Zaklika.
"To where?" asked the Jew. "She would be safe only beyond the seas."
"I hope the King will not ask his neighbours for our extradition."
Lehman moved his head.
"The Countess," went on the faithful servant, "must take what she can with her, for anything she leaves, the rapacious people will seize, as they did that which she left in the Palace."
The banker nodded.
"But it would not be safe to carry the money with us in our flight, for we might be caught and deprived of everything. You must help the Countess to save the rest of her fortune."
"Believe me," said the banker, "I am willing to help the Countess. I knew her well; she was the only pearl amid all that mud; but you must understand that it would not be right for me to endanger myself and my family for her sake."
"God alone will know of your good deed, and you know that neither I nor the Countess would betray you."
"Well, I consent," said the Jew; "but you must be careful that nobody sees you going out, for I, too, am watched by spies."