But he was disappointed. He came upon Elise outside the factory, talking to her brother; she paid so little heed to him that his greeting all but passed unanswered. And the pair went on talking as before. Rolandsen would not disturb them by asking for old Mack, but went up to the office and knocked at the door. It was locked. He went down again and said, “Your father sent for me; where shall I find him?” The two were in no hurry to answer, but finished what they had to say. Then said Frederik, “Father’s up at the watergate.” “Might have said that when I came up first,” thought Rolandsen. Oh, they were all indifferent to him now; they had let him go up to the office without a word. “Couldn’t you send word to him?” asked Rolandsen. Said Frederik slowly, “When father’s up at the watergate, he’s there because he’s business there.” Rolandsen looked at the two with eyes of wonder. “Better come again later on,” said Frederik. “If I come a second time, it’ll be to say I shan’t come a third.” Frederik shrugged his shoulders. “There’s father,” said Elise. Old Mack came walking towards them. He frowned, spoke sharply, and walked on ahead of Rolandsen to the office. All ungraciousness. Then he said: “Last time, I asked you to sit down. This time, I don’t.” “No, no,” said Rolandsen. But he was puzzled at the other’s angry manner. But Mack found no pleasure in being harsh. He had power over this man, who had done him a wrong, and he preferred to show himself too proud to use it. He said, “You know, of course, what has happened here?” Said Rolandsen, “I have been away. Things may have happened that you know of, but not I.” “I’ll tell you how it is, then,” said Mack. And Mack was now as a minor God, with the fate of a human creature in his hand. “You burnt up that insurance policy, I think you said?” “Well, not exactly,” said Rolandsen. “To tell the truth....” “Here it is,” said Mack, and brought out the document. “The money has been found, too. The whole lot was found wrapped up in a kerchief that did _not_ belong to you.” Rolandsen made no protest. “It belonged to Enok,” Mack went on. Rolandsen could not help smiling at the other’s solemn manner, and said jestingly, “Ah, now I shouldn’t be surprised if it was Enok was the thief.” Mack found this tone by no means to his taste; it was lacking in respect. “You’ve made a fool of me,” he said, “and cheated me out of four hundred _Daler_.” Rolandsen, with his precious telegrams in his pocket, still found it hard to be serious. “Let’s talk it over a little,” said he. Then said Mack sharply, “Last time, I forgave you. This time, I don’t.” “I can pay you back the money.” Mack turned on him angrily. “The money’s no more to me now than it was then. But you’re a cheat; do you realise that?” “If you’ll allow me, I’ll explain.” “No.” “Well, now, that’s all unreasonable,” said Rolandsen, still smiling. “What do you want with me at all, then?” “I’m going to have you locked up,” said Mack.