Already he was gazing at the servant with an alarming air, when an old gentleman with a discreet look, stepped up to him, and inquired,
“Excuse me, sir: how many shares have you?”
“Three,” answered the man with the brick-colored face.
The other sighed.
“I have two hundred and fifty,” he said. “That’s why, being at least as interested as yourself in not losing every thing, I beg of you to indulge in no violent proceedings.”
There was no need of further speaking.
The door which the servant was guarding flew open. A clerk appeared, and made sign that he wished to speak.
“Gentlemen,” he began, “M. de Thaller has just come; but he is just now engaged with the examining judge.”
Shouts having drowned his voice, he withdrew precipitately.
“If the law gets its finger in,” murmured the discreet gentleman, “good-by!”