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Yes, one hundred thousand marks, for Sylvius Hogg absolutely refused to take back the money he had paid to secure possession of Ole Kamp's ticket. It was a dowry he was only too glad to offer little Hulda on her wedding-day.
The winning number consequently must be one between 9670 and 9679, so there was now one chance out of ten for Ole Kamp's ticket to win the prize. The suspense was at its height. Sylvius Hogg had risen to his feet, and seized Hulda Hansen's hand. Every eye was riveted upon the young girl.
On apprising her of these different offers, however, neither Sylvius Hogg nor Joel made any attempt to influence Hulda. She was to be guided entirely by her own wishes in the matter. They knew now what her wishes were. Joel, moreover, approved his sister's decision unreservedly. Ole Kamp's ticket must not be sold to any person at any price. Sylvius Hogg went even further.
All this was known to the public, and there was nothing for people to do but await the appointed hour; but to while away the tedious interval of waiting they all talked, and, chiefly, of the pathetic situation of Hulda Hansen. Unquestionably, if she had still been the possessor of Ole Kamp's ticket each individual present would have wished her the next best luck to himself.
Therefore, that same evening I left Abo, and traveled by rail up to the junction Toijala, whence, after a wait of six hours, I resumed by slow journey to Helsingfors. I put up at Kamp's, an elegant hotel on the long esplanade overlooking the port, and found the town, with its handsome streets and spacious squares, to be a much finer place than I had believed.
"Nine," said the president, stating the number the third little girl had just extracted from the third urn. Nine! That was the first figure on Ole Kamp's ticket. "Six!" said the president. For the fourth little girl was timidly displaying a six to all the eyes riveted upon her. The chances of winning were now one out of a hundred for all the numbers from one to ninety-nine, inclusive.
"In exchange for it I offer no fixed price, but I promise to extend the mortgage for one two, or three years Fix the date yourself, Hulda." Hulda's heart was so deeply oppressed with anguish that she was unable to reply, but her brother answered for her. "Ole Kamp's ticket can not be sold by Hulda Hansen. My sister refuses your offer, in spite of your threats. Now leave the house!"
Could it be that this ticket of Ole Kamp's was to be the means of placing one hundred thousand marks in that villainous Sandgoist's pocket. Really such a result would almost make one doubt the justice of God! The fifth little girl plunged her hand into the next urn, and drew out the fifth figure.
The chances were evidently increasing for all numbers between one and nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine, and every one recollected that Ole Kamp's ticket bore the number 9672. Strange to say, Sylvius Hogg began to move restlessly about in his chair, as if he had suddenly been stricken with palsy.
"Nine thousand six hundred and seventy two!" proclaimed one of the directors, in a loud voice. This was the number of Ole Kamp's ticket, now in Sandgoist's possession.
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