"Kircheisen! The same, father, whom you saved from death when the
Russians were here?"
"The same, my son; you shake your head incredulously. Read for yourself." He took from his writing-table a large paper provided with the official seal, and handed it to Bertram. "Read for yourself, my son. It is an order from the minister Von Finkenstein."
It was written thus: "The half of the sum is awarded by the king to
President von Kircheisen, as detective and informer."
"A worthy title, 'detective and informer,'" continued Gotzkowsky. "By Heaven, I do not envy him it! But now you shall know all. It does me good to confide to you my sorrows—it lightens my poor heart. And now I have another fear. You have heard of my speculation in the Russian magazines?"
"Of the magazines which you, with De Neufville and the bankers Moses and Samuel, bought?" asked Bertram.
"Yes, that is it. But Russia would not enter into the bargain unless I made myself responsible for the whole sum."
"And you did so?" asked Bertram, trembling.
"I did. The purchase-money has been due for four months. My fellow-contractors have not paid. If Russia insists upon the payment of this debt, I am ruined."
"And why do not Samuel and Moses pay their part?"
Gotzkowsky did not answer immediately, but when he did, his features expressed scorn and contempt: "Moses and Samuel are no longer obliged to pay, because yesterday they declared themselves insolvent."