Robert. I have notes from different banks amounting to about 95,000 gulden--here they are. Muhlingk. Kurt, check that up. (Kurt _rises and takes each paper from_ Robert _in turn and looks it through_) Robert. Have you finished, Herr Councillor? Muhlingk. Just a minute. (_Pause_) Kurt. Correct. Muhlingk. Well, my dear Herr--Heinecke, I wish you success in your future enterprises. Be an industrious fellow and don't forget what you owe to this house. Robert. No, Herr Councillor, I shan't forget! Here is the forty thousand marks that you had the kindness to give to my father. Muhlingk. This forty thousand was a gift, not a loan. Robert. Nevertheless, I consider myself responsible for its return. Muhlingk. Has your father given his authority for the return of the money? Robert. No, he has not. Muhlingk. Then the money is your own? Robert. Yes. Muhlingk. Hmm! Kurt. Don't you think it interesting, Father, that Herr Heinecke has saved so much money? Robert. (_Thinks a moment, then realizes the meaning of_ Kurt's _insinuation, cries out, and steps forward drawing his revolver. He seizes_ Kurt _by the throat_) Cur! take that back!--back! Muhlingk. Help! help! (Leonore _enters_.) Leonore. Have pity! Robert! Robert. (_Lets the revolver fall and drops back, his face in his hands_. Kurt _struggling for breath sinks to sofa_) Oh! (_Enter_ Frau Muhlingk.) Frau Muhlingk. What is it? Kurt? (_Rushing to him_) Help! Murder! Murder! Ring, Theodore! Muhlingk. Quiet! There is no further danger! What more do you want? Get out! Robert. Leave as a thief, eh? (_At a movement from_ Leonore) Yes, Leonore, you may as well know I've saved money, I'm a thief! Leonore. Father, what is it?--what have you done! Robert. Good. This is a day of reckoning. We might as well settle all accounts. The account between the Avenue and the Alley. We work for you. We give you sweat and blood. As a reward you ruin our daughter and pay for the disgrace with the money we've earned for you. That is what you call doing a kindness. I have fought tooth and nail for your business and never asked pay. I have looked up to you as a person looks up to something holy! You were my faith and my religion! And what did you do for me? You stole the honor of my house, for it was honorable even if it was in the Alley. You stole my heart and my people and even if they were poor beggars, I love them just the same. You stole the very pillow on which I might rest when I was worn out working for you! You stole my home and my trust in God and man! You stole my sense of shame, my peace, my good conscience!--You have stolen the very sun out of my heaven!--You are the thieves--you!! Muhlingk. (_After a pause_) Shall I have the servants put you out? Leonore. (_Stepping between_) That you won't do, Father. Muhlingk. What! You? Leonore. He will leave of his own free will, unmolested, or Father, you can put me out, too.