“Before replying, I should like to ask Monsieur Sandgoist if he knows to whom this ticket belongs?” he said haughtily.

“To Hulda Hansen, I suppose.”

“Very well; then it is to Hulda Hansen that this application should be addressed.”

“My son!” hastily interposed Dame Hansen.

“Let me finish, mother,” continued Joel.  “This ticket belonged originally to our cousin, Ole Kamp, and had not Ole Kamp a perfect right to bequeath it to his betrothed?”

“Unquestionably,” replied Sandgoist.

“Then it is to Hulda Hanson that you must apply, if you wish to purchase it.”

“So be it, Master Formality,” retorted Sandgoist.  “I now ask Hulda to sell me this ticket Number 9672 that Ole Kamp bequeathed to her.”

“Monsieur Sandgoist,” the young girl answered in firm but quiet tones, “I have received a great many offers for this ticket, but they have been made in vain.  I shall say to you exactly what I have said to others.  If my betrothed sent me this ticket with his last farewell upon it it was because he wished me to keep it, so I will not part with it at any price.”

Having said this Hulda turned, as if to leave the room, evidently supposing that the conversation so far as she was concerned had been terminated by her refusal, but at a gesture from her mother she paused.

An exclamation of annoyance had escaped Dame Hansen, and Sandgoist’s knitted brows and flashing eyes showed that anger was beginning to take possession of him.

“Yes, remain, Hulda,” said he.  “This is not your final answer.  If I insist it is because I certainly have a right to do so.  Besides, I think I must have stated the case badly, or rather you must have misunderstood me.  It is certain that the chances of this ticket have not increased because the hand of a shipwrecked seaman placed it in a bottle and it was subsequently recovered; still, the public seldom or never reasons, and there is not the slightest doubt that many persons desire to become the owners of it.  They have already offered to purchase it, and other offers are sure to follow.  It is simply a business transaction, I repeat, and I have come to propose a good trade to you.”

“You will have some difficulty in coming to an understanding with my sister, sir,” replied Joel, ironically.  “When you talk business to her she replies with sentiment.”

“That is all idle talk, young man,” replied Sandgoist.  “When my explanation is concluded you will see that however advantageous the transaction may be to me it will be equally so to her.  I may also add that it will be equally so to her mother, Dame Hansen, who is personally interested in the matter.”

Joel and Hulda exchanged glances.  Were they about to learn the secret Dame Hansen had so long concealed from them?

“I do not ask that this ticket shall be sold to me for what Ole Kamp paid for it,” continued Sandgoist.  No!  Right or wrong, it has certainly acquired an increased financial value, and I am willing to make a sacrifice to become the owner of it.”