The secretary shuddered when he saw the signature, which we regret we cannot give in fac-simile, for it would be valuable to those who like to guess character from what may be called the physiognomy of signature. If ever a hieroglyphic sign expressed an animal, it was assuredly this written name, in which the first and the final letter approached each other like the voracious jaws of a shark,--insatiable, always open, seeking whom to devour, both strong and weak. As for the wording of the note, the spirit of usury alone could have inspired a sentence so imperative, so insolently curt and cruel, which said all and revealed nothing. Those who had never heard of Gobseck would have felt, on reading words which compelled him to whom they were addressed to obey, yet gave no order, the presence of the implacable money-lender of the rue des Gres. Like a dog called to heel by the huntsman, des Lupeaulx left his present quest and went immediately to his own rooms, thinking of his hazardous position. Imagine a general to whom an aide-de-camp rides up and says: "The enemy with thirty thousand fresh troops is attacking on our right flank."A very few words will serve to explain this sudden arrival of Gigonnet and Gobseck on the field of battle,--for des Lupeaulx found them both waiting. At eight o'clock that evening, Martin Falleix, returning on the wings of the wind,--thanks to three francs to the postboys and a courier in advance,--had brought back with him the deeds of the property signed the night before. Taken at once to the Cafe Themis by Mitral, these securities passed into the hands of the two usurers, who hastened (though on foot) to the ministry. It was past eleven o'clock.
Des Lupeaulx trembled when he saw those sinister faces, emitting a simultaneous look as direct as a pistol shot and as brilliant as the flash itself.
"What is it, my masters?" he said.
The two extortioners continued cold and motionless. Gigonnet silently pointed to the documents in his hand, and then at the servant.
"Come into my study," said des Lupeaulx, dismissing his valet by a sign.
"You understand French very well," remarked Gigonnet, approvingly.
"Have you come here to torment a man who enabled each of you to make a couple of hundred thousand francs?""And who will help us to make more, I hope," said Gigonnet.
"Some new affair?" asked des Lupeaulx. "If you want me to help you, consider that I recollect the past.""So do we," answered Gigonnet.
"My debts must be paid," said des Lupeaulx, disdainfully, so as not to seem worsted at the outset.
"True," said Gobseck.
"Let us come to the point, my son," said Gigonnet. "Don't stiffen your chin in your cravat; with us all that is useless. Take these deeds and read them."The two usurers took a mental inventory of des Lupeaulx's study while he read with amazement and stupefaction a deed of purchase which seemed wafted to him from the clouds by angels.
"Don't you think you have a pair of intelligent business agents in Gobseck and me?" asked Gigonnet.
"But tell me, to what do I owe such able co-operation?" said des Lupeaulx, suspicious and uneasy.
"We knew eight days ago a fact that without us you would not have known till to-morrow morning. The president of the chamber of commerce, a deputy, as you know, feels himself obliged to resign."Des Lupeaulx's eyes dilated, and were as big as daisies.
"Your minister has been tricking you about this event," said the concise Gobseck.
"You master me," said the general-secretary, bowing with an air of profound respect, bordering however, on sarcasm.
"True," said Gobseck.
"Can you mean to strangle me?"
"Possibly."
"Well, then, begin your work, executioners," said the secretary, smiling.
"You will see," resumed Gigonnet, "that the sum total of your debts is added to the sum loaned by us for the purchase of the property; we have bought them up.""Here are the deeds," said Gobseck, taking from the pocket of his greenish overcoat a number of legal papers.
"You have three years in which to pay off the whole sum," said Gigonnet.
"But," said des Lupeaulx, frightened at such kindness, and also by so apparently fantastic an arrangement. "What do you want of me?""La Billardiere's place for Baudoyer," said Gigonnet, quickly.
"That's a small matter, though it will be next to impossible for me to do it," said des Lupeaulx. "I have just tied my hands.""Bite the cords with your teeth," said Gigonnet.
"They are sharp," added Gobseck.
"Is that all?" asked des Lupeaulx.
"We keep the title-deeds of the property till the debts are paid,"said Gigonnet, putting one of the papers before des Lupeaulx; "and if the matter of the appointment is not satisfactorily arranged within six days our names will be substituted in place of yours.""You are deep," cried the secretary.
"Exactly," said Gobseck.
"And this is all?" exclaimed des Lupeaulx.
"All," said Gobseck.
"You agree?" asked Gigonnet.
Des Lupeaulx nodded his head.
"Well, then, sign this power of attorney. Within two days Baudoyer is to be nominated; within six your debts will be cleared off, and--""And what?" asked des Lupeaulx.
"We guarantee--"
"Guarantee!--what?" said the secretary, more and more astonished.
"Your election to the Chamber," said Gigonnet, rising on his heels.
"We have secured a majority of fifty-two farmers' and mechanics'
votes, which will be thrown precisely as those who lend you this money dictate."Des Lupeaulx wrung Gigonnet's hand.
"It is only such as we who never misunderstand each other," he said;"this is what I call doing business. I'll make you a return gift.""Right," said Gobseck.
"What is it?" asked Gigonnet.
"The cross of the Legion of honor for your imbecile of a nephew.""Good," said Gigonnet, "I see you know him well."The pair took leave of des Lupeaulx, who conducted them to the staircase.
"They must be secret envoys from foreign powers," whispered the footmen to each other.
Once in the street, the two usurers looked at each other under a street lamp and laughed.
