On the minister's desk lay a crumpled sheet of paper on which was written: "Treason and treachery! It has at this moment been ascertained that, while pretending to be our agents in securing the consols, M.Everard & Co.

now refuse to deliver them into the custody of Baron von Rumpf, as agreed, and further, that M.Everard & Co.

are bankers and attorneys to his Excellency the British minister.

He must not leave this city with those consols." With his eyes riveted on these words, the minister of finance, huddled in his chair, had fallen into a profound study.
There were terrible times in the house of Josef that night..