"Take care, Baron von Pollnitz!" said Jaschinsky, threateningly.
Pollnitz said, smilingly: "It appears that you are menacing ME, that is wholly unnecessary. Listen quietly to what I have to say. I have come to arrange a little matter of business with you. Day before yesterday you borrowed two hundred ducats from Baron Trenck. Give me one hundred of them, and I give you my word of honor not to expose you—deny me, and I give you my word of honor I will go instantly to the king, and relate the whole history. You know, count, you would be instantly cashiered."
"I do not know that his majesty would grant a ready belief to the statement of Baron Pollnitz, and you have no proof to confirm it."
"I have proof. You gave your note for the money. I think that would be convincing testimony."
The count was pale and agitated. "If I give you a hundred ducats, you promise on your word of honor not to expose me to the king?"
"I give you my word of honor; more than that, I promise you to defend you, if any one shall accuse you to the king."
Jaschinsky did not reply; he stepped to his desk and took out two rolls of ducats. "Baron," said he, "here is half of the money I borrowed from Trenck; before I hand it to you I have one request to make."
"Well, speak."
"How did you learn that I borrowed this money?"
"I saw your note which you gave to Trenck."