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 gentlemen from the factory will come here to inspect the place.”

“And what have they to inspect here? Has some thing been lost from the factory and has suspicion fallen on you?” The words were as if ejected from the lips of the old man as he leaped close to the fence on which he leaned the better to look closely into his son’s eyes.

“What wild guesses you are making to day. Am I a ruffian or thief to have that sort of visitations? And if they did have it in for me, they surely wouldn’t announce their visit beforehand.’

“Of course, of course!” assented the old man. “Such a visit, though, is as rare as if it fell from heaven, even though the devil may bring them. You don’t have an idea where or why, and a gendarme lands before you with handcuffs, and the mayor but God save us from that!”

“There, there! Don’t worry about the gentlemen from the courts and their helpers!”

“Well, then, tell what’s happened and don’t torture me! It won’t be anything pleasant, I’m sure, for these German “gentlemen” never cross the threshold of a poor man to bring him anything good!”

“Well-you’ll see! You yourself say, “There is no rule without an exception, and this time it’s proven true. Money is something good, isn’t it?”

“Money? I should say so!” assented the old man, delighted, but in the next instant he burst out with