Olivier obeyed.
As soon as the demand had been complied with, the pretended Belgian again attacked him. "Besides, this is not all, sir; I have fairly won my money, and you will give me a guarantee that it will be paid to me. You will give me bills at sight for the sum of one hundred thousand francs which you owe me."
The unhappy Olivier hesitating to comply with this demand, his implacable creditor rose and seized the bell.
"Oh! do not ring, sir—do not ring," said the young man, "I will sign the paper."
The villainous plot was consummated.
Olivier returned to his family, and humbly confessed all that he had done.
His old father, rather than bring disgrace on his child, paid the money, esteeming his son's honour beyond all price.
The Society of Philosophers had shared in this roguery, in the persons of Chaffard and the Belgian capitalist.
To Chaffard was delegated the arrangement of the money department; and so well did he manage the business, that, in a very short space of time, he had the satisfaction of receiving a hundred thousand francs, in exchange for the bills which he held.