“And because he can be made useful,” said Dietrich readily, for he knew of old that Jost was in the habit of rushing Blasi forward, where he did not dare to go himself.

“I don’t know about that,” said Jost, “but now listen to me.  Do you know how a fellow who hasn’t so much as a penny in his purse, can in one night get enough to build a big stone house, like the one the landlord of the lion has in Fohrensee, and make himself a gentleman all at once?  I know how; I know somebody who has explained it all to me, and I tell you, Dietrich, you have only to say the word, and you can do the same, and give up the whole saddler’s business.  You can afford to risk something; you’re not stupid; and with you it will all go right in a twinkling.”

“Do you mean by card-playing?” asked Dietrich rather contemptuously, for he had made up his mind about that long ago.

“No indeed, something very different.  It is done on paper.  You have nothing to do but put some money down, and you can win two or three times as much in no time.”

“And lose four times, I suppose?”

“There’s no losing about it;” said Jost confidently, “You’re sure to win in the end, if you keep on long enough.  It doesn’t signify if you do lose a little at first—­you can afford to wait.”

“I think my trade is surer of winning;” said Dietrich.

“Oh yes, sure enough!” said Jost scornfully.  “It is a pretty sight to see a fellow like you, sitting there year after year on the saddler’s bench, scraping all the skin off his hands; and with all the income you have, too! why in ten years you won’t have as much as will build you a house such as you want, and it would take ten years more to become a gentleman; and she’d like it a great deal better to have something nice now, and not wait till she is fifty years old.”

Dietrich was red with anger.

“What business is it of yours to be forever thinking and talking about her?” he blazed out.  “You have no concern with her whatever; just keep yourself to what you’re fit for.”

“Why do go on as you do?” asked Jost with a knowing wink.  “Do you suppose it never enters anybody’s head to ask why you keep on working and delving as if you liked it?  Can’t we guess who you’re doing it all for?”

“And it’s not at all out of the way to be thinking about her, either,” interposed Blasi, “there’s another ready enough to do that if there were any chance for him,” and he winked significantly at Jost.  Jost took no notice of the insinuation, but went on, addressing himself to Dietrich.

“There’s no danger for you in this plan.  We will share losses and gains alike, and if we do not like it we can leave off when ever we choose.  But I don’t see why we shouldn’t like it, when we can earn so much with so little trouble, and without working from morning till night.  There goes somebody now, who has all he wants, I should like to be in his place!”