He spoke of his tormenting doubts as to the justice of his actions, and concluded: "And now, tell me, shall I answer this letter ?" "What are you thinking of ?" cried Schrotter, when Wilhelm stopped speaking, and looked at him in anxious expectation.

"Your only plan now is to keep dark.

If, notwithstanding your silence, they write to you again, I would advise you to burn the letters unread.

That will demand a certain amount of fortitude, no doubt, but as the letters will come to my address, I will do it for you, if you authorize me." Wilhelm tried hard to make up his mind.
"No, do not burn them unread," he said, after a pause; "open the letters, and then judge for yourself, in each case, whether you will let me know the whole or part of the contents." "Always the same want of will power!" returned Schrotter.

"First you free yourself, and then have not the courage to burn your ships behind you.