Dear Z[meskall]!
I simply cannot see that woman at my rooms again; and although she is perhaps a little better than he is, I don’t want to hear anything more about either of them – So I am sending you the 24 gulden you asked for. Kindly add the 30 kreuzer, take a stamped sheet of paper costing 15 kreuzer and make the servant state in writing that he has received this sum of 24 gulden, 30 kreuzer as boot and livery money – When we meet I will tell you more about how she recently lied to you – Meanwhile I trust that you will not forget the respect which you as a friend of mine owe to yourself. Tell them that it was really you who induced me to give them this additional sum. Let me ask you not to have any unnecessary dealings with them, for they are both unworthy of your interest – I did not want to engage her husband again, but circumstances partly necessitated it. I needed a manservant; and a housekeeper and a manservant were too expensive. Moreover I found her frequently with her husband at the watchmaker’s below in the house I am in; and indeed she always wanted to go out with him from there just when I needed her. So I took him back into my service, because I had to keep her to look after my rooms. If I had not engaged him, I should have been swindled very much more – That is how things are. Both of them are wicked people – All good wishes. I shall see you soon.
Your friend
Beethoven