You know the story of the inheritance of Trenck ?" "He is the only heir of the pandour chieftain, Franz von Trenck." "Correct.

And do you know the history of this pandour chieftain Trenck ?" "I have heard a confused and uncertain statement, but nothing definite or reliable." "It is, however, a very interesting and instructive story, and shows how far a man with a determined will and great energy can reach, when his thoughts are directed to one end.

Baron Trenck wished to be rich, immensely rich--that was the aim of his life.

Seduced by his love of money, he became the captain of a band of robbers, then a murderer, a church-robber; from that a brave soldier, and, at last, a holy penitent.
Robbing and plundering every-where, he succeeded in collecting millions.
The pandour chieftain Trenck soon became so rich, that he excited the envy of the noblest and wealthiest men in the kingdom, so rich that he was able to lend large sums of money to the powerful and influential Baron Lowenwalde.

You see, baron, it only needs a determined will to become rich." "Oh! the foolish man," said Weingarten, shrugging his shoulders.
"Lending money to a noble and powerful man, is making an irreconcilable enemy." "You speak like a prophet.