Vorski felt that the game was not equal. The two assistants were standing on either side of him and pressing him hard. He had to yield:
"Here, you thief! Here, you robber!" he shouted, taking out the parcel and unfolding the notes.
"It's not worth while counting," said Otto, snatching the bundle from him unawares.
"Hi! . . ."
"We'll do it this way: half for Conrad, half for me."
"Oh, you blackguard! Oh, you double-dyed thief! I'll make you pay for this. I don't care a button about the money. But to rob me as though you'd decoyed me into a wood, so to speak! I shouldn't like to be in your skin, my lad!"
He continued to insult the other and then, suddenly, burst into a laugh, a forced, malicious laugh:
"After all, Otto, upon my word, well played! But where and how did you come to know it? You'll tell me that, won't you? . . . Meanwhile, we've not a minute to lose. We're agreed all round, aren't we? And you'll get on with the work?"
"Willingly, since you're taking the thing so well," said Otto. And he added, obsequiously, "After all . . . you have a style about you, sir! You're a fine gentleman, you are!"
"And you, you're a varlet whom I pay. You've had your money, so hurry up. The business is urgent."