Zetto returned this smile. "I wrote the document, and you will
naturally understand that I measured the words very closely."

"Who copied the letter?" asked Weingarten. "Doubtlessly Baron Trenck
was not magnanimous enough to do that."

"Baron Waltz is a great adept in imitating handwriting, and he
happily possessed original letters of Trenck's," said Zetto,
smilingly.

"You will find it most natural that I should try to win my bet,"
said Baron Waltz. "If Trenck is arrested before he goes to
Konigsberg, I have won my bet, and will receive the hundred louis
d'ors from the commissioners."

All three laughed.

"These commissioners will soon have to pay you ten thousand
guilders," whispered Zetto. "Here is a bond. On the day that Trenck
is a prisoner of the king of Prussia, this bond is due, and you will
then find that the commissioners are not backward in paying." Zetto
laid the document upon the table. "You will now have the kindness to
receive our testimony, and, if you desire it, we will add our
accusations, or you can mention that this can be done."

Weingarten did not answer; a repentant fear tormented his heart, and
for a moment it appeared as if his good and evil genius were
struggling for his soul.

"This involves probably the life of a man," he said, softly; "it is