“For her to know you under your real aspect. For you are a regular scoundrel, Lichtenbach, and of the very worst kind, one who wishes to keep up appearances, even with one’s accomplices. Do you think you can deceive me, eh? Your jesuitism has no affect on me; I am well acquainted with your lubricity. In the whole world there is no more villainous character than yourself, and yet you wish to be taken for a man of honour and virtue!”
Lichtenbach, pale with fear and anger, exclaimed—
“Baroness! Really, you wish to throw me into a passion.”
“Oh no, no! Now I will be very nice with you. Listen, my voice is a mere whisper. Lean over and listen. I need a hundred thousand francs to-night, to have Hans carried off to Geneva. He can bear the journey now. Cesare has gone to see him.”
“Do you think he will survive?” asked Lichtenbach.
“Yes. That vexes you? You would rather be well rid of him? Calm yourself, he would bite off his tongue rather than betray a companion. Besides, what does he know? That your interests were the same as ours, and that, had he found the formula for the explosive for commerce, you would have paid as much for them as those for whom we are working would have paid for the war explosive. The coup missed. Hans is maimed. But, thanks to me, you are free from all suspicion.”
Looking calmly at Elias, she said—
“A hundred thousand francs, on account.”
“On account?”
“Yes, on account. And do not waste any time. General de Trémont, whom you hated so strongly, has been killed for you. How much would you give for Baradier and Graff.”