"You can answer that question as well as myself," replied the man. "I will tell you that there are none for the present; but there is one way in which the clock may still be the admiration of Dantzic, and yourself free with a great independence in three days." "What way? what way? tell me quickly!" cried Dumiger, gasping with anxiety. "Be still, young man, be still; we have plenty of time: let's proceed quietly," said the stranger. "Well, well, but be quick," continued Dumiger, in anything but a quiet tone of voice. "I have told you," said the man, quietly readjusting his spectacles, which Dumiger had slightly disturbed by the violence with which he seized his arm, "I have told you that I am a native of Hambro', a mechanician; that I have seen your clock, admired it, and taken the trouble to obtain a list of your liabilities,--here it is again." Dumiger gave another groan. "Your position," continued the stranger, "appears to me to be this--that without my assistance your clock will be worth nothing, while you will remain quietly in prison here, charged besides, as far as I can understand the matter, with some political offense; that Marguerite will either pine away or atone for your loss by amusing herself with some of your friends--Carl and Krantz for instance. You see I am _au fait_ with all your domestic matters." Oh, jealousy! oh, cowardice of the heart! At the name of Carl the blood flew to Dumiger's temples. It just occurred to him that it was strange that Marguerite should have gone to him for assistance without any direction from himself to do so. Root out the feeling, Dumiger; root it out, or you are lost. The stranger smiled sarcastically, but affected not to notice his flushed cheek and faltering voice. "Now there is but one means to relieve yourself from all these risks and this load of misery." "Again I inquire, what is it?" said Dumiger. "Sell me your clock: I have come to purchase it on the part of the free city of Hamburgh," was the calm, deliberate reply. "Sell my clock!" echoed Dumiger.