He folded the paper.
“Which means that there will be no postponement, my dear Gurther, and this enormous fortune will be ours.”
Gurther considered this point and for a moment forgot to smile, and looked what he was in consequence: a hungry, discontented wolf of a man.
“Herr Doktor, graciously permit me to ask you a question?”
“Ask,” said Oberzohn magnanimously.
“What share does Herr Newton get? And if you so graciously honoured me with a portion of your so justly deserved gains, to what extent would be that share?”
The other considered this, puffing away until the room was a mist of smoke.
“Ten thousand English pounds,” he said at last.
“Gracious and learned doctor, that is a very small proportion of many millions,” said Gurther gently.
“Newton will receive one half,” said the doctor, his face working nervously, “if he is alive. If misfortune came to him, that share would be yours, Gurther, my brave fellow! And with so much money a man would not be hunted. The rich and the noble would fawn upon him; he would have his lovely yacht and steam about the summer seas everlastingly, huh?”