Here the sick man moved suddenly. Yosef looked at him quickly, then whispered,-- "One instalment of rent stands in my way, but this and that may be arranged, perhaps something can be done after his death." "Oi, rent, rent!" whispered Augustinovich. "To keep us awake I must tell thee a little tale. I have never paid rent, I was enraged whenever rent was even mentioned, and I never could accustom any house-owner to refuse taking it. At last I succeeded with one. He was an old little fellow, and stupid as the ears of Midas. Well, once I was sitting in a small garden which belonged to him, and because the season was summer and the time night, for want of a better occupation I was counting the stars in the sky. I was dreaming somewhat; a starry night, as thou knowest, brings a dreamy state of mind. Thereupon that ass came to me and spoke absurdly. He simply wanted me to pay him. I rose from my place, and outlining in solemnity with my hand a bow between the east and the west, I asked mysteriously,-- "'Dost see this immensity and those millions of the lights of God?' "'I see,' answered he, frightened somewhat by the tone of my inquiry; 'but--' "'Silence!' said I, in an imperious voice. And removing my hat I raised my eyes, and looking at the astonished man I thundered,-- "'Useless dust! compare thy five rubles--'" On a sudden a suppressed groan interrupted Augustinovich. The count had become livid, he was twisted up, the fingers of his hands were balled into lumps; the second attack had come evidently. At that moment Yosef rushed to the sick man and straightened his arm almost by force. "Ys!--Bleed him!" said he in a low voice. There was silence. By a wonderful chance the lamp at that moment grew darker. From instant to instant was heard the quick low voice of Yosef,-- "His pulse? Water!" "He is stifling," whispered Augustinovich. Both held the breath in their breasts; the dull sound of the lance was heard. The steel sank in the old man's flesh, but blood did not come. "This is the end! All is useless!" said Yosef, drawing a deep breath. Drops of sweat came out on his forehead. "He lived--he lived till he died," said Augustinovich, with the most indifferent mien in the world. "We have done our part, now to sleep." CHAPTER XI The count died really, and was buried according to Christian ceremonial. After his death Yosef paid a visit to the old lady. It was a question of securing guardianship for the countess, since no one of the family had come forward. The count had left very scanty means of maintenance, and even if he had left more the countess was too young to manage a house alone.