Without hesitation, she returned to the shop, in search of Johann Schmidt, to whose energies and kindness she instinctively turned for counsel and help.
As she came to the door she saw that he was just bidding good-night to his employer.

She waited a moment and met him on the pavement as he came out.
"I must have fifty marks in an hour, Herr Schmidt," she said, boldly.

"If I do not get it, something dreadful will happen." "Fifty marks!" exclaimed the Cossack in a tone of amazement.

If she had said fifty millions, the shock to his financial sense could not have been more severe.

"It is an enormous sum," he said, slowly, while she fixed her eyes upon him, waiting for his answer.