The time had come when Felix Kaulmann could demand from Csanta the thousand shares upon which he could now make a profit of twenty thousand gulden. No honest man could allow such an iniquitous robbery of his rights, or, at least, not without making a struggle. It is only a fool who allows himself to be made a tool of. A man may steal for himself; to rob the widow and the orphan to fill another man's purse, that is wicked and immoral.
When Felix Kaulmann came again to the town of X——, the old Greek received him with great ceremony and seeming cordiality.
"I hope you bring good news, my dear young friend," he said, clasping Kaulmann's hand in his.
"I have come about that little business of the shares," returned Felix, with the air of a man of business. "You remember our agreement?"
"What shares do you mean? Oh, the Bondavara! Is it pressing?"
"Yes, for the first instalment of interest is now due; two gulden each bond, which, as the shares are in my name, will make an addition to my savings."
"Oh, so you intend to call in the shares?"
"But that was our agreement."
"And if I do not wish to surrender more than five hundred?"
Kaulmann drew in his lips. "Well, I suppose I should be content."