"Good, uncle. I accept the melon allegory, and will answer you in your own gardening terms: If you want melons, you must sow the seeds. Some sprout, others lay dormant. Then comes the worm to devour them, and the mildew and the frosts to blast the young shoots, yet, in spite of all, your true gardener tends them to the end. Such a sower am I, who plant what is entrusted to me in the ground, that others may reap the harvest." The simile pleased the old gentleman much; he stroked his moustache thoughtfully. "You are the right sort, my boy. And if you feel equal to the task, undertake it. But I fear you won't succeed! But you have not come here to stir up a hornet's nest, have you?" "No, uncle. First of all, I shall procure the actual facts of the case, and till I get them, I shall not say a word to anyone." "That's well and good. But how will you get those facts?" "I have reckoned for all that. I mean to settle down and buy myself a house, with a field and vineyard. As an inhabitant of the city, I shall have the right to mix myself up in local affairs." "That sounds like business. For that matter, I can recommend you a house that belonged to the notary's brother. It's a fine property, with garden, vineyard, and meadow attached. The owner is a drunken good-for-nothing, and over head and ears in debt, but can, by realising the property, pay his debts, and still have something left. Leave the contract to me." "Agreed then, uncle. The money question can soon be settled, as I have what will be necessary." "So far, so good. But after, when you have your facts, who is going to be prosecutor?" "I myself will be." The old gentleman stroked his moustache doubtfully. "Oho, my boy, that's a dangerous game. Do you know that the law won't allow you to do it anonymously? The prosecutor must act in his own name." "I shall lodge my complaint openly so that the guilty can recognise me." "Then be sure they will try and get rid of you." "That is the fortune of war." The old man smiled slily. "It has just occurred to me you can't be prosecutor." "Why not?" "Why, pray, have you not studied law in Vienna? Docs not the decree of St. Stephen lay it down that the prosecutor must be a married man? If you are single, you are not qualified to make the depositions." "All right, I'll marry." His hearer fairly shook with laughter. "My boy, I've heard many motives suggested for matrimony, but never one like yours. You are going to marry to help the people to their rights! Remember that-- "'He who takes himself a wife, Does but heap up care and strife.'" "But, uncle, what can you, who were never married, have to urge against matrimony?" "Oh, I've nothing against your marrying. Leave that also to me. I have found you a house; now I'll find you a wife." "It is very good of you, I'm sure."