Seeing that he had better give in, the managing director took up a bulky ledger, and began to turn over the leaves with trembling fingers.
Andre saw that he was holding it upside-down.
“There it is,” cried Verminet at last.
“Bills for five thousand francs. Gandelu and Rigal, booked for discount to Van Klopen, ladies’ tailor.”
Andre was silent.
Why was it that Verminet had suggested Rigal’s signature as the one he ought to imitate? And why had he handed the bills over to Van Klopen? Was it mere chance that had arranged it all? He did not believe it, but felt sure that some secret tie united them all together, Verminet, Van Klopen, Rigal, and the Marquis de Croisenois.
“Do you want anything more?” asked the manager of the Mutual Loan Society.
“Are the bills in Van Klopen’s hands?”
“I can’t say.”
“Never mind, he will have to tell me where they are, if he has not got them,” returned Andre.