Berg smiled meekly, kissed the count on the shoulder, and said that he was very grateful, but that it was impossible for him to arrange his new life without receiving thirty thousand in ready money.

" Or at least twenty thousand, Count," he added, "and then a note of hand for only sixty thousand.

" "Yes, yes, all right!" said the count hurriedly.

" Only excuse me, my dear fellow, I'll give you twenty thousand and a note of hand for eighty thousand as well.