“Arnaud, if I touch it at all, my friends in London and myself will make the whole loan.”
“What, you will bear the eight millions?” asked Rigaux, with some surprise.
“Yes. I feel it my duty to assist in the present crisis.”
“But I only asked for a portion. I can do some myself, and obtain the remainder in Holland.”
“I tell you I will arrange to bear the whole responsibility. I will send word to Monsieur Max to-night. I can arrange with good substantial friends in London to assist me.”
Rigaux was silent for a few seconds.
“Well,” he said enthusiastically at last, “yours is indeed a fine example of patriotism, Henri, I will let Max know your generous offer. There is no telegraphic or telephonic communication with Brussels now.”
He did not add that in his pocket was a special pass, signed by the German commander, which allowed him to go through the enemy’s lines, backwards and forwards, at will. If the Baron and his friends paid over eight millions to the enemy, then his friends in Berlin would be highly pleased at his clever diplomacy.
“You return to Brussels to-night—eh?”
“Yes, at once. It is a risky business to be on the roads at night nowadays.”