“I have some more addresses of financial men, usurers, you know. If I could get you once more to go security for me, I think we ought to be able to attain our end.”
“Security? Security? Yes, it is easy for you to talk that way, my dear boy; but finally there must be something in the background in order to assume responsibility for another’s debts. I must tell you frankly that if you can’t meet this payment of three thousand marks of last month, there will be the devil to pay for me, since I went bail for you.”
“I do not think there is any need of your being so explicit; as a matter of course, I shall meet my obligations.”
“I don’t doubt it in the least; but for me it is indeed impossible to become security for you once more. Not only that, but I have to ask you to let me have some money, for I really do need some very badly.”
“With the greatest of pleasure,” said Borgert with a sinister smile; “but why don’t you raise money on your ‘commiss-fortune’?[19] That, it strikes me, would be the surest way of obtaining it.”
“My ‘commiss-fortune’? Very well put; but I’d have to have one in order to raise money on it.”
“What have you been marrying on, then?” asked Borgert in amazement.
“I only had it four weeks in my hands, when it was returned to the party who had lent it for a consideration until I had obtained the official consent.”
Borgert looked in consternation at his friend and then began to measure the room in nervous excitement.