This "Jean" seemed to me to have been the evil agency in the
miserable history which followed. After Helmine's rejection of
Otto's suit, and the flight or captivity of Count Kasincsky,
leaving a large sum of money in Otto's hands, it would be easy for
"Jean," by mingled persuasions and threats, to move the latter to
flight, after dividing the money still remaining in his hands.
After the theft, and the partition, which took place beyond the
Polish frontier, "Jean" in turn, stole his accomplice's share,
together with the Von Herisau documents.
Exile and a year's experience of organized mendicancy did the rest.
Otto Lindenschmidt was one of those natures which possess no moral
elasticity--which have neither the power nor the comprehension of
atonement. The first real, unmitigated guilt--whether great or
small--breaks them down hopelessly. He expected no chance of self-
redemption, and he found none. His life in America was so utterly
dark and hopeless that the brightest moment in it must have been
that which showed him the approach of death.
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