'Yes. What do you refer to?' Parascandolo said.
'The money—the bank bill,' the plethoric doctor burst out.
'It is an ordinary affair enough,' remarked Parascandolo with an easy air.
'What do you say? With three signatures—mine, Professor Colaneri's, and Signor Rocco Galasso's—you call it an ordinary affair? Whose signature do you want—Rothschild's?'
'Certainly I would prefer Rothschild's to all signatures,' was said, with a mocking little smile. 'Business is business,' he added in his solemn way.
'We are honest men, it seems to me,' Professor Colaneri yelped out.
'I have the highest respect for you,' said Parascandolo with exaggerated politeness. 'But signatories must be solvent; that is all. I have made inquiries on account of my principal, Ascanio Sogliano. You will understand, I must prevent him making any loss, as I make use of his money. Now, Dr. Trifari, here is an excellent young fellow—he will become a light in the scientific world—but his signature is not good for a thousand francs, nor is Professor Colaneri's....'
'This is infamous!' Dr. Trifari cried out. 'I did not come here to be insulted, by Jove!'
'These are slanderous statements!' shrieked Colaneri the hypocrite.
'Where did you make inquiries?' Trifari asked, yelling.