At this time the office was filled by Albert Ebner and Jorg Stromer, whilst in the secret council formed by seven of the older gentlemen, as the highest executive authority, Hans Schtirstab as the second and Berthold Vorchtel as first Losunger filled the chief offices.

So this year the deeply offended father held the highest place in the Council, and in the whole community of Nuremberg he, more than any one else, would decide the fate of the Eysvogels.

Els knew this, and with an anxious heart saw him gaze earnestly and sadly at the papers which Martin Schedel, the city clerk, had just brought to him from a special desk.  At his side, in the centre of the table covered with green cloth, sat the listener’s uncle, the magistrate Berthold Pfinzing, who in the Emperor’s name presided over the court of justice.

He also appeared in his character of protector of the Jews, and Samuel Pfefferkorn, a Hebrew usurer, had just left the hall after an examination.

Casper Eysvogel was gazing after him with a face white as death.  His handsome head shook as the imperial magistrate, turning to Berthold Vorchtel, the chief Losunger, said in a tone loud enough to be heard by all present, “So this is also settled.  Herr Casper contracted the great debt to the Jew without the knowledge of his son and partner, and this explains to a florin the difference between the accounts of the father and son.  The young man was intentionally kept in the dark about the greatest danger which threatened the business.  To him the situation of the house must have appeared critical, but by no means hopeless.  But for the Siebenburgs and the other bandits, who transformed the last important and promising venture of the firm into a great loss, and with the sale of the landed property, it might perhaps have speedily risen, and under prudent and skilful management regained its former prosperity.  The enormous sum to which the debt to Samuel Pfefferkorn increased gives the position of affairs a different aspect.  Since, as protector of the Jew, I must insist upon the payment of this capital with the usual interest, the old Eysvogel firm will be unable to meet its obligations—­nay, its creditors can be but partially paid.  Therefore nothing remains for us to do save to consider how to protect as far as possible our city and the citizens who are interested.  Yet, in my opinion, the entire firm does not deserve punishment—­only the father, who concealed from his upright son his own accounts and those of Samuel Pfefferkorn, and—­it is hard for me to say this in Herr Casper’s presence;—­also, when the peril became urgent, illegally deprived his business partner of the possibility of obtaining a correct view of the real situation of affairs.  So, in the Emperor’s name, let justice take its course.”