Just at this moment Sayavedra entered the room, having under his arm a small casket containing my gold chain: “Do you still wish,” said he, “that I should go where you desired me?” “You ought to have been there and back again ere this,” replied I. “Recollect only, before you apply to a goldsmith, to make inquiry in the neighbourhood as to his respectability. You will then get my chain weighed, and return to tell me its exact weight.” Though my cousin had already seen this chain, he requested to look at it again, and admired extremely both the workmanship and the fineness of the gold. Then, turning to Sayavedra, “My friend,” said he, “tell my servant, whom you will find below, to accompany you to a goldsmith’s who lives hard by, and who will tell you conscientiously the value of the chain.” “My squire was soon back.” I inquired “how much the goldsmith valued it at.” “Six hundred and fifty-five crowns,” answered Sayavedra. “Well then,” said I, “just return and request the loan of six hundred upon it, which I will repay him in three days, with whatever he may demand for interest.” “Honest man as he is,” said my cousin, “he will make no scruple of taking three per cent, for three days as well as for six months, saying that it makes no difference to him. I regret much,” continued he, “that I do not happen at this moment to have sufficient ready money at hand myself; but I know a man of probity who will be satisfied with only two per cent.” This man of probity was no other than himself, who, notwithstanding that he hoped to obtain a good benefice for nothing, rejoiced at the opportunity of depriving the goldsmith of this little profit. I failed not to assure this good cousin that he would much oblige me by getting it done for me. “Not that I am in great distress for money,” said I, “as you may see. At the same time I drew from my pocket two large purses full of pistoles, which I showed to him. It is merely by way of precaution that I wish to put my chain in pledge; for as we shall play very high at the wedding of my friend the colonel, I do not like to be at all short of money.” My cousin assured me, “that in two hours at furthest, the six hundred crowns should be at my service.” Then taking the casket out of Sayavedra’s hand, I opened it for an instant, just that my cousin might see that the chain was in it, and after having shut it again, delivered it to his servant, who returned in about an hour with the six hundred crowns. Unfortunately for my worthy cousin, my major-domo, in bringing the casket back from the goldsmith’s under his cloak, had dexterously drawn out the gold chain, and substituted a brass one in its stead.