The servants reappeared in the hall with wines and various delicacies.

Master Christian was tuning his violin.  The guests, informed that this excellent artist was about to entertain them with his wonderful skill, drew near the piano.

Geronimo, perplexed by the words of Simon Turchi, watched his friend and sought an opportunity to speak to him alone.  He saw him leave the room, and as the entrance of the servants with refreshments, and the desire of the guests to approach Master Christian, had caused a stir among the company, the young man was enabled to rejoin Simon in the garden.

The garden, situated in the rear of the house, although not large, was crossed by several winding paths, and along the wall were wide-spreading trees and blocks of verdure.

When Geronimo entered the garden, he perceived several persons who had left the heated apartment to enjoy the fresh air, and who were walking in different directions.

As he was seeking in the dim light to distinguish Simon Turchi, the latter approached from an arbor, took his arm and led him in silence to a retired part of the garden, where he seated himself on a bench, and said in low tone: 

“Sit down, Geronimo!  I have good news for you.”

“Ah! have you succeeded in obtaining the money?”

“I have been successful.  But come nearer! no one must overhear us.  A foreign merchant, whom I saved two years ago from dishonor and ruin, at the risk of my own destruction, will furnish me with the means of returning you the ten thousand crowns.”

“God be praised!” said Geronimo, with a sigh of relief.  “He will not long delay, I hope, to fulfil his generous designs.”

“I will pay you to-morrow what I owe you.”

“To-morrow? how fortunate!”

“But, Geronimo, I cannot bring you the money; you must come for it yourself.”

“It would be a trifle were I obliged to go to Cologne.”

“You need not go so far.  Only go to my country-seat near the hospital.  Silence! some one approaches!”

After a moment’s silence, Turchi resumed: 

“He has passed.  You must know, Geronimo, that the foreign merchant desires his presence in Antwerp to remain unknown, and I have promised to keep him concealed in my garden for several days.[17] He wishes to assist me, but he is over-prudent and distrustful.  I will sign the receipt for the sum he lends me.  He requires, for greater security, that you sign it also.”

“What mystery is this?” said the young man.  “I must sign with you for security!  Who is this merchant?  Is he a fugitive from justice?”

“What has that to do with the affair?  It is not my secret, Geronimo, and I promised to conceal his name.  If you be saved from your present embarrassment, will you not have attained your object?  It is true that you will be my security, but the ten thousand crowns will be in the money vault, and your uncle will not find one florin missing.  Your only danger would arise from an inability on my part to meet the note.  But you need fear nothing in that respect.  In a few months my resources will be abundant.  I take this step only to save you from a present imminent danger.  You must know, Geronimo, that I would prefer to have you alone for my creditor.”