“I am surprised that d’Estourny should show so little confidence in me,” said Cerizet.
“In his position,” replied Barker, “you can hardly blame him for having put his eggs in different baskets.”
“Can you believe——” the little broker began, as he handed back to the Englishman the bills of exchange formally accepted.
“I believe that you will take good care of his money,” said Barker. “I am sure of it! It is already on the green table of the Bourse.”
“My fortune depends——”
“On your appearing to lose it,” said Barker.
“Sir!” cried Cerizet.
“Look here, my dear Monsieur Cerizet,” said Barker, coolly interrupting him, “you will do me a service by facilitating this payment. Be so good as to write me a letter in which you tell me that you are sending me these bills receipted on d’Estourny’s account, and that the collecting officer is to regard the holder of the letter as the possessor of the three bills.”
“Will you give me your name?”
“No names,” replied the English capitalist. “Put ‘The bearer of this letter and these bills.’—You will be handsomely repaid for obliging me.”