"They did as the minister desired of them. They understood that he meant well for them when he was willing to remain in poverty for their sake. They urged him to go to the forest and take every precaution to conceal the vein so that no one would ever find it."
"Since then the minister has remained here as poor as the others?"
"Yes, as poor as the others."
"Has he, in spite of this, married and built a new parsonage?"
"No, he has not had the means. He lives in the same old place."
"That is a beautiful story," said the King, bending his head.
The minister stood silent before the King. In a few minutes the latter continued: "Was it of the silver mine that you were thinking when you said that the minister here could furnish me with as much money as I should need?"
"Yes," said the other.
"But I can't put thumb-screws on him; and how otherwise could I bring a man like him to show me the mine—a man who has forsaken his beloved and all material blessings?"
"That is another matter," said the minister. "If it is the Fatherland that needs help, he will undoubtedly give up the secret."