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The papers announced that the famous ticket bearing the number 9672 was now in the possession of M. Sandgoist, of Drammen, and that this ticket would be sold to the highest bidder; so, if M. Sandgoist was now the owner of the aforesaid ticket, he must have purchased it for a round sum of Hulda Hansen. Of course this announcement lowered the young girl very decidedly in public estimation. What!
It was a receipt for the amount of Dame Hansen's indebtedness a receipt for the amount of the mortgage on the Dal property. Dame Hansen cowered in her corner, with hands outstretched, and eyes fixed imploringly on her daughter. "And now give me the ticket," cried Sandgoist, "I want it to-day this very instant. I will not leave Dal without it"
Besides, if this unpleasant weather continues, it is not likely that many tourists will visit the Telemark this season. But tell me, was it yesterday that your guest left Dal?" "Yes, yesterday morning." "Who was he?" "A man who resides in Drammen, and whose name is Sandgoist." "Sandgoist?" "Do you know him?" "No."
On arriving there she seated herself on the little wharf which serves as a landing-place for the ferry-boat, and abandoned herself to her thoughts. To the deep uneasiness caused by the non-arrival of the "Viking" was now added another great anxiety. This last was caused by the mysterious visit of Sandgoist, and Dame Hansen's agitation in his presence.
When the ninety-seventh prize was drawn, the one consisting of seven thousand marks, the audience feared for a moment that Sandgoist was the winner of it. It was won, however, by ticket number 9627, which was within only forty-five points of Ole Kamp's number. The two drawings that followed were numbers very widely removed from each other: 775 and 76,287.
Everybody was aware of this fact, and of the manner in which the usurer had obtained it; so there was a profound silence instead of the tumultuous applause that would have filled the hall of the University if the ticket had still been in Hulda Hansen's hands. And now was this scoundrel Sandgoist about to step forward, ticket in hand, to claim the prize?
Yes, a hundred times, yes; both on his own account and that of his betrothed, for Sylvius Hogg had succeeded in getting the ticket out of Sandgoist's hands, having repurchased it from him at the same price the usurer had given for it, for Sandgoist was only too glad to dispose of it at that price now there were no more bidders for it.
Sandgoist, seeing Joel's hesitation, recovered his self-possession, and resumed his former seat. "Yes, in his own house," he continued in a still more arrogant voice. "Ever since her husband's death, Dame Hansen has been engaging in unsuccessful speculations.
Then, advancing until within a few steps of the arm-chair, he asked, brusquely: "What do you want here?" Sandgoist gave him a withering look; then, in a harsh voice, and without rising, he replied: "You will soon learn, young man. You happen in just at the right time. I was anxious to see you, and if your sister is a sensible girl we shall soon come to an understanding.
"Ah! here is the charming Hulda, if I'm not mistaken," he exclaimed in a tone that incensed Joel even more deeply. Dame Hansen was standing in front of the man in an humble almost cringing attitude, but she instantly straightened herself up, and seemed greatly annoyed at the sight of her children. "And this is her brother, I suppose?" added Sandgoist. "Yes, her brother," retorted Joel.
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