“And you would hef left such a plen dependent on coincidence?” said the Chevalier reproachfully. “Det shows a leck of experience such ess I should not hef expected in you, my dear frient. But you see det your wort iss not sufficient security for a loan, dough de money iss at your serfice ess a gift.”
“Well, let us call it a gift to be returned without interest in three months,” said Cyril. “I can’t consent to anything else, Chevalier. Thracia would be demoralised if such a river of gold was set flowing without the need of repayment. At any rate, I am not proposing to double your money for you in this case. You will sacrifice the three months’ interest on the sum.”
“Det iss true. But why do you offer me no prifileches, no concessions, in return for dis secrifice?”
“Because you are the only man in Europe who is not on the look-out for such things. Whatever you were when your money was in making, Chevalier, you are now a pure philanthropist—a universal provider for needy royal families—and in order to fall in with this taste of yours, I have forborne until this moment, when your mind is made up, to remind you that my colleagues and I are all strongly opposed to the anti-Semitic movement, and that the Queen is most anxious to improve the condition of your co-religionists.”
“And you take it for granted det I will gif you dese millions in return for a few fafours shown to de Thracian Chews!” cried the Chevalier, with hands uplifted in admiration. “Well, tell me, my frient, how shell de money be paid?”
“Have you an agent within reach who is thoroughly to be trusted, and yet is not known to be in your employment? If you have, he had better return to Thracia with me. He might travel as a Vienna surgeon called in for consultation, and I as his assistant, and he would naturally take up his quarters at my house, remaining there until I have seen Mirkovics and the rest, and ascertained whether they will agree to my terms. If we succeed, I intend you to get your money back, Chevalier, whatever happens to me; if we fail, I fear you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have really chucked your florins into the mud.”
“You will not fail; but do not think I want de money beck. Det iss de worst off it for me. Well, I will send Stockbaum wid you; he iss de men you need. You will introduce him to your frients?”
“As the agent of a syndicate from whom I am obtaining the money, I think. One must explain things a little, and yet not outrage your modesty by letting the whole truth come out, Chevalier. I can arrange with him the details as to the payment of the money into my account as well, for we must not arouse suspicion by making any undue display of bullion.”
“You are right. See here. Stockbaum telegrephs me one wort, and immediately I esteblish in Frankfort de office off dis syndicate. I arranche wid my achents to do business wid dem, and so your drafts are honoured in Bellaviste. Do not fear; de syndicate shell hef an abundant credit.”
“You are a born plotter, Chevalier. That idea of the Frankfort office is a master-stroke. But I fear you will have the other Balkan states trying to do business with you—or even Drakovics, if he gets an inkling as to the source of our wealth. He will want to turn us out, of course.”