“Now, there is nothing more for us to do here. The house has delivered up to us part of its secret. The rest we must seek elsewhere.”
The three men went out into the garden, after carefully closing the doors, and slowly returned to Ars.
CHAPTER II
Lichtenbach was sitting in his study, listening to young Vernot, his broker, who was speaking with the utmost volubility.
“Baradier and Graff will not long be able to maintain their position on the Explosives now. It has already been remarked at the Bourse that they have not reduced their stock. The coming liquidation will be a decisive one; or else they will remain firm; then what a bankruptcy it will be! Or they may sell everything. What a fall that will mean!”
A faint smile came over the banker’s lips.
“I should like to see that!”
“Man Dieu! My dear master, I cannot conceal from you the fact that, in business circles they say it is a duel between the firm of Baradier and Graff and the firm of Lichtenbach. One of the two will go under.”
“I know it; but I have no fear.”
“I have negotiated this affair for you, so I know our mode of action. Hitherto it has been an admirable one. To sum up in a word, you have sold what the Baradiers have bought.”