Really such a result would almost make one doubt the justice of God! The fifth little girl plunged her hand into the next urn, and drew out the fifth figure.
"Seven!" said the president, in a voice that trembled so as to be scarcely audible, even to those seated on the first row of benches.
But those who could not hear were able to see for themselves, for the five little girls were now holding up the following figures to the gaze of the audience: 00967.
The winning number consequently must be one between 9670 and 9679, so there was now one chance out of ten for Ole Kamp's ticket to win the prize.
The suspense was at its height.
Sylvius Hogg had risen to his feet, and seized Hulda Hansen's hand.
Every eye was riveted upon the young girl.

In sacrificing this last moment of her betrothed, had she also sacrificed the fortune Ole Kamp had coveted for her and for himself?
The sixth little girl had some difficulty getting her hand into the urn, she was trembling so, poor thing! but at last the figure appeared.
"Two!" exclaimed the president, sinking back in his chair, quite breathless with emotion.
"Nine thousand six hundred and seventy two!" proclaimed one of the directors, in a loud voice.
This was the number of Ole Kamp's ticket, now in Sandgoist's possession.

Everybody was aware of this fact, and of the manner in which the usurer had obtained it; so there was a profound silence instead of the tumultuous applause that would have filled the hall of the University if the ticket had still been in Hulda Hansen's hands.
And now was this scoundrel Sandgoist about to step forward, ticket in hand, to claim the prize?
"Number 9672 wins the prize of one hundred thousand marks!" repeated the director.

"Who claims it ?" "I do." Was it the usurer of Drammen who answered thus?
No.

It was a young man--a young man with a pale face, whose features and whole person bore marks of prolonged suffering, but alive, really and truly alive.
On hearing this voice, Hulda sprung to her feet, uttering a cry that penetrated every nook and corner of the large hall; then she fell back fainting.
But the young man had forced his way impetuously through the crowd, and it was he who caught the unconscious girl in his arms.
It was Ole Kamp!.