The Jew shrugged his shoulders. "I don't make it so, sare; the siege makes it so. When the port is open, you shall have more better exchange." "Well, money must be had," said the German. "What will you give now for my bill for twenty pounds?" The Jew consulted a book of figures--then made some calculations on paper--then appeared to consider intently. "Curse you, speak!" said the choleric captain. "You have made up your mind about how much roguery long ago." "Captain, sare, I give you feefty dallars," said the Jew. The captain burst forth with a volley of German execrations. "Captain," said the Jew presently, "I like to please a gentleman if I can. I give you one box of cigars besides--real Cubas--one hundred and feefty in a box." The captain at this broke forth again, but checked himself presently on the entrance of the Jew's daughter, who now returned from the Major's. She advanced quietly into the room, made a little bow to the captain, took off and laid aside her shawl, and, taking up some work, sat down and began to sew. Von Dessel resumed his expostulation in a milder tone. The Jew, however, knew the money was necessary to him, and only yielded so far as to increase his box of cigars to two hundred; and the captain, finding he could get no better terms from him, was forced to agree. While the Jew was drawing out the bills, the German gazed attentively at Esther, with a good deal of admiration expressed in his countenance. "I can't take the money now," said he, after signing the bills. "I am going on duty. Bring it to me to-morrow morning, at nine o'clock." "I'm afraid I can't, sare," said Lazaro; "too moch business. Couldn't you send for it, captain?" "Not possible," said the German; "but you must surely have somebody that might bring it--some trustworthy person you know." And his eye rested on Esther. "There's my dater, sare," said the Jew--"I shall send her, if that will do." "Good," said the captain, "do not forget," and quitted the room forthwith. He was scarcely gone when a pair with whom the reader is already slightly acquainted, Mr and Mrs Bags, presented themselves. The effects of their morning conviviality had in a great measure disappeared. "Your servant, sir," said Bags. The Jew nodded. "We've got a few articles to dispose of," pursued Mr Bags, looking round the room cautiously. "They was left us," he added in a low tone, "by a _diseased_ friend." "Ah!" said the Jew, "never mind where you got 'em. Be quick--show them." Mrs Bags produced from under her cloak, first a tin teakettle, then a brass saucepan; and Mr Bags, unbuttoning his coat, laid on the table three knives and a silver fork. Esther, passing near the table at the time, glanced accidentally at the fork, and recognised the Flinders crest--a talbot, or old English bloodhound.