"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 a terrible accusation that I must pronounce: if not condemned to death, the king will imprison him for many long years, and I shall be responsible for this injustice." Councillor Zetto's attentive ear heard every word; he stood near him like the evil one, and his piercing eyes rested upon the agitated countenance of Weingarten and read his thoughts.
"Have you not lived the life of a prisoner for many years ?" asked Zetto, in a low, unnatural voice; "have you not always been a slave of poverty?
Will you now, from weak pity, lose the opportunity of freeing yourself from this bondage?
Ten thousand guilders is no fortune, but it may be the beginning of one--it may be the thread of Ariadne to lead you from the labyrinth of poverty to freedom and light; and who will thank you if you do not seize this thread--who recompense you for your generosity and magnanimity?
If you tell it to the wise and cunning, they will laugh at you, and if the foolish hear it, they will not understand you.

Every one is the moulder of his own happiness, and woe unto him who neglects to forge the iron while it is hot!" Baron Weingarten felt each of these words.