THE MONEY-CHANGER OF FRANKFORT.

BY GEORGE J. O. ALLMANN.

(Continued from page 164.)

"Please you read."-CYMBELINE.

CHAP. I.

BOOK III.

"Pitiful!-look up at once-into the man's face -into his soul-where God gives you the opportunity."-VON RAHEL.

The course of our narrative must now necessarily proceed with more rapidity, inasmuch as events began to thicken around its personages.

mestic interlarded her story, in order to compensate for its actual deficiency of reality, inasmuch as she could scarcely, save here and there, hear a word, that till the Moneychanger returned with his "honours thick upon him," neither of the cousins could discover anything in the incoherent statement at all consistent or credible. But the relation of Johann soon put them in possession of the extraordinary circumstance; and Constance, with a joy that her father was so honoured, but with a tearful sadness at quitting her quiet humble abode, made every preparation to accompany the Moneychanger to the Stadthaus, the splendid saloons of which edifice were to be, for some time at least, her home. The Moneychanger's next thought was directed to his present house of business. Who was to take care of it? He was perplexed-he would have entrusted it fearlessly to the care of Martin; yet he felt a secret idea pass over him-it was gone in an instant, however-that Martin might not be able to withstand so much temptation when unwatched. He was, however, greatly relieved from this unpleasant reverie, when his nephew proposed to remain in the house himself: he acceded to the proposition cheerfully and thankfully - even Constance thought this an excellent arrange

ment.

Later on the day on which the rencontre we have just recorded took place, a deputation, consisting of the most eminent and wealthy burgesses of Frankfort, waited upon Johann Holz, informing him that the choice of the elective franchise of that city had fallen on him to fulfil the office of chief syndic or bürgermeister. It would be affectation to affirm that the Moneychanger was not possessed of any of the feelings incident to humanity, frail as it is: or were we to deny that he could not but feel an emotion of pride and selfgratification at the-to him-unexpected display of esteem on the part of his fellow-citizens. We have already shown that Johann Holz, though fond of his crowns, was not proud of his wealth, and possessed, besides, many high and noble qualities, either the legacies of ancient blood, or his natural characteristics. He was not so absorbed in the contemplation of gain as to be We are free to confess, that in the bosoms of dead to all those feelings and sentiments which these young cousins an affection, pure, calm, unite human nature in one vast link. He knew and beautiful, had sprung up, which, though it that, were he to accept the proffered dignity, it did not gather strength from opposing obstacles, would be at the loss of the greater part of his was like the clear unruffled bosom of a rivertime, and profits of his business. But he never- deep and strong. Scarcely aware of it them theless hesitated not to accept it; and in ex-selves, the emotion tinged each thought, each pressing his gratitude for the honour his fellowcitizens had conferred on him, he spoke with a dignity and grace which those who appeared before him had scarcely believed him to possess. "Accoutred as he was," he accompanied the civic legate to the Stadthaus, and was duly sworn chief magistrate of the free imperial city of Frankfort. In the meantime, Constance and Christian had indeed heard some sort of account of her master's triumph from deaf old Anchenn; but it was so ludicrously mixed up with a thousand conjectures, with which that garrulous do

action, and each feeling, and filled their hearts with a thrill of unutterable delight.

Martin witnessed the scene of his master's honour with very peculiar feeling. He attempted some words of gratulation, but they were uttered in so rude a manner, that they had better been left unspoken. His voice seemed to possess a more than ordinary dissonance; and if the hiss of the serpent was not exactly to be discovered in it, at least it created that sort of unpleasant, nameless fear, which still remained after its sounds had died away.

1

He pursued, however, the avocations of business apparently as usual; and after its duties were concluded for the day, proceeded to his lodging. In the course of an hour he appeared in the handsome suite of clothes in which our readers have already beheld him, and proceeded to the house of De Tourville. That personage was, this time, "at home" to his visitor, who was ushered upstairs into the same salon whereinto he had formerly been conducted on the occasion of his first visit. M. De Tourville received him courteously, not to say warmly. "Ah! ha! mon cher Martin, or Baron," he exclaimed gaily, "which is it to be-what title you prefer?"

do

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Either, Monsieur le Marquis" replied Martin.

"There, now! Monsieur le Marquis," returned the former. "Monsieur le Marquis, indeed! let us, between ourselves, worthy Martin, drop that title-it is of no use to me hereha, ha, ha !"

"But is not your lordship really a marquis ?" De Tourville burst into an incontrollable fit of laughter, during which Martin surveyed him obviously with mingled feelings of astonishment and distrust.

"Ha, ha! no, my good fellow," he ejaculated, when his laughter had subsided sufficiently to allow him to proceed: no, no, my simple Martin! However," he continued, becoming serious, as he observed the expression of Martin's countenance, "it serves my purpose as well as a real one, and that is all I need."

Martin looked grave: he was, however, not the less in De Tourville's power, and marquis or not, it was useless struggling against its enchantment. A short and desultory conversation then ensued, during which Natter could not refrain from fancying De Tourville was more than ordinarily friendly; and, with the natural suspicion of minor rogues of his class, held himself in readiness to repel any attack on the part of his host to entrap him.

"And now to business," at length exclaimed the latter seriously, and emphasizing the word. Martin looked attention.

I am in need of money

Martin looked incredulous.
And I must have it."

Martin still smiled. "It is a joke!" thought he.

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"You smile, my worthy Martin, I perceive," added De Tourville, a little bitterly; you are ironical-ha! You don't credit my assertioneh?"

Martin certainly looked as if he did not.

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Well, then," continued his host, laying his hand familiarly on his shoulder, at the same time producing his purse-" this to prove it look here !"

much trouble to be convinced as the worthy Frankforters do. I am for the present a noble; but listen to me attentively, mon cher. I say again, I need money, and I must have it; your master's, the Moneychanger's, coffers are fullwe will empty them."

Martin was startled: an arrant coward, he was absolutely frightened at the abruptness as well as the magnitude of the proposition, and for some minutes mused deeply on the design of the wily de Tourville. "It must come to this at last," he thought," and why should not a bold step possess me of a fortune at once? I was too great a coward to attempt it alone. I should never have dared to plan, much less to execute, an undertaking like this, fraught with so much danger." He looked up suddenly, exclaiming with emphasis―

"We will do it!"

"Hear me! I care not a gewgaw for that glittering bauble called woman, and only said this to probe your soul; its secret now stands forth confirmed. Well, then-to me the money, to you the girl!"

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Agreed!" replied Martin, muttering at the same time in an under tone, "I can at least obtain something from the store which will serve my need."

"And I," whispered De Tourville, "shall indeed be a sorry knave if I do not manage to possess the girl myself."

"So now that we are fully launched into this affair, let us discuss our plans of operation carefully and thoughtfully," said the latter.

The circumstance that had occurred to the Moneychanger's family admirably suited their plans. They would endeavour to arrange them so that suspicion of the burglary would naturally attach to Christian; and so carefully did they weave their web, that they, experienced villains as they were, really believed they should not only be able to do so, but to avoid any dis"You cannot mean this-you trust falling on Martin. They did not fix on the “It is true, I tell you again; you take as exact night on which to perpetrate their scheme,

He shook the purse; it contained only a few florins, with a solitary golden crown piece. "This is all the money I possess in the

world."

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of discontent and suspicion. They expostulated with Martin-nay, they even threatened; but the latter, though he feared their menaces had now gone too far to recede; he adhered to his resolution, and yielding up his brief authority," he, by the most solemnly dictated oath, swore never to reveal the secrets, objects, or rendezvous of the society. The eyes of all were bent silently but distrustfully on him as he quitted the room, while each added a mental reservation, "That fellow is false; he is a traitor!"

but they agreed that the Moneychanger's house should be sacked first, and that afterwards De Tourville should lend Martin his best aid and assistance in the abduction of Constance. And thus they parted, mutually satisfied with each other; De Tourville of course to the Spielhaus. Martin retraced his way to his lodging. There exchanging his dress for his usual habiliments, he proceeded on his way to "Der Morgenstern." His brain was busy with a thousand ideas; he pondered thoughtfully on his position -he beheld its different aspects, and analyzed each phase. He knew that now he must press They comforted themselves with the reflection onward; there could be no flinching now; he that they need only use more than ordinary vigi might not retrace his steps; he felt as if under lance in order to baffle any attempt at betrayal the guidance of a superior power. What led on the part of their late Hauptmann, and termi him onward perforce? and what was that supe- rated the proceedings of the evening by unanirior power, rather experienced than beheld-mously electing Le Roi Pierre as their chief in rather felt than seen? It displayed itself in the his stead; that person apparently having won eye of De Tourville, which expressed signifi- their regards quite as magically and entirely as cantly a mute command, and he shuffled-he instantaneously. trembled-but he must yield to its peremptory dictation.

of

On his way to the rendezvous of the gang coiners, of which he was the temporary chief, he determined to quit them for ever. In fact, Martin's mind was in a state of great confusion and perturbation, not arising solely from actual fear, but from the complication of occurrences which crowded too fast for his lethargic, inert nature to cope with. If Martin had had a thousand deeds to execute, no matter had they entailed on him the sin of blood, he would have done them, and done them remorselessly and fearlessly, had they been propounded to him one at a time; but now that he was engaged in so many schemes, they were too numerous for him—they confused him, and he felt like a coward, who beholds danger surrounding him on all sides; knowing not which way to turn in order to escape.

The same ceremonies of caution were used as we have already described, and after the members of the family had all assembled, the host Carl introduced to them the man who denominated himself, "Le Roi Pierre," and who as he advanced into the room and caught the glance of Martin, appeared to hesitate a little. But Martin himself appeared to shrink beneath the gaze of that one eye of the stranger, so piercing, so brilliant, and for a moment felt uncomfortable; banishing his confusion with an effort, by which time Pierre seemed to have recovered his composure, the latter proceeded to address them on the subject of his visit. He produced a die, and in a few moments displayed to their wondering eyes a proof of his abilities. The smooth edge of the die cut the molten metal, and all crowded round to behold the counterpart it had created. Their praises were lavished heartily upon it; it was superb, its workmanship was unique; and they hailed with rapture the proposition of Pierre to become a member of their band.

At this juncture, Martin informed them of his intention to quit them. The looks that were before lit up with exultation changed, with the rapidity of light, to ominous frowns

Before proceeding farther with our narrative, it will be advisable to record some of the circumstances that had in the interim transpired in the free city of Frankfort.

The daring of the coiners had now reached such a height, and the quantity of fictitious money circulated through their agency become so enormous, that the very first duty Johann Holz was called upon to perform by his fellow citizens was to consider carefully, in council, with the burgesses, the most advisable mode of bringing the offenders to justice. As yet not the slightest clue to them or their place of rendezvous had been discovered; so consummately secret had been their plan of operations that not only did the violation of the law elude the utmost vigilance of its officers, but no one could be discovered on whom suspicion might with proba bility rest. Baffled in every attempt at pursuit of the gang-for that a well organized and dexterous gang did exist was palpable to the meanest capacity-the civic authorities knew not where to turn, and almost despaired of bringing the culprits to justice.

At this stage of the proceedings, when, from mere despair they had become supine, and care. less of further pursuit, a young man presented himself before the Bürgermeister offering his assistance in endeavouring to discover the track of the criminals, the punishment of whose offence was by the law of Frankfort-death! He had just arrived from Paris, in which city he was an officer of police; his name he announced was Vidocq-a name destined to become afterwards famous in the annals of