I paid no attention to this, and it was only after the tragic dénouement of this affair that the souvenir of these exclamations, although so frequently repeated, came back to my memory.
The circumstances which follow sadly demonstrate that during two and a half years the aim, so patiently followed, was simply to bribe my confidence with strange revelations, and to keep me under his thumb.
This result obtained, he had only to use influence in order to keep me in a position whose importance could not help being fatal, in view of coming events, and which the unknown’s power of penetration permitted him to foresee.
It was in the midst of all this, in a way, borrowed prosperity, since it only resulted from non-realised operations, that I took possession of my new residence, Rue d’Enghien, No. 11.
For several months, although it was impossible for stock to rise above seventy-five francs, faithful to his system, the unknown refused to sell out.
It was therefore necessary to continue. But could I complain if funds remained stationary? The profits entered into cash as a consequence of the rise of stocks, which seemed a sufficient guarantee against any event whatsoever.
Moreover, it seemed to me mean to reproach him with not giving me more, when I owed him already such unhoped-for prosperity.
My tranquillity was, therefore, absolute when complications with Germany broke out. Then, from the first day, I wished to liquidate.
‘There, are your fears beginning again as at the time of the Luxembourg incident? Believe him who is the Master, and who for nearly three years has never deceived you.’