Part 25 (1/2)

Verdelin I'm only repeating what you said yesterday--

Mercadet What I said?

Pierquin The fact of it is, Verdelin does not believe in the return of G.o.deau--

Minard Ah, sir!

Mercadet Is there any doubt about it?

Verdelin (ironically) Doubt about it! There is more than doubt about it. I at once concluded that this so-called return was the bold stroke that you spoke of yesterday.

Mercadet I--(Aside) Stupid of me!

Verdelin I concluded that, relying upon the presence of this fict.i.tious G.o.deau, you made purchases with the idea of paying on the rise, which would follow to-morrow, and that to-day you have actually not a single sou--

Mercadet You had imagined all that?

Verdelin (approaching the fireplace) Yes, but when I saw outside that triumphal post-chaise--that model of Indian manufacture, and I realized that it was impossible to find such a vehicle in the Champs-Elysees, all my doubts disappeared and-- But hand him over the bonds, M. Pierquin!

Pierquin The--bonds--it happens that--

Mercadet (aside) I must bluff, or I am lost! (Aloud) Certainly, produce the bonds.

Pierquin One moment--if what this gentleman has said is true--

Mercadet (haughtily) M. Pierquin!

Minard But, gentlemen--M. G.o.deau is here--I have seen him--I have talked with him.

Mercadet (to Pierquin) He has talked with him, sir.

Pierquin (to Verdelin) The fact of it is, I have seen him myself.

Verdelin I don't doubt it! By the bye, on what vessel did our friend G.o.deau say he arrived?

Mercadet By what vessel? It was by the--by the /Triton/--

Verdelin How careless the English newspapers are. They have published the arrival of no other English mail packet but the /Halcyon/.

Pierquin Really!

Mercadet Let us end this discussion. M. Pierquin--those bonds--

Pierquin Pardon me, but as you have offered no collateral, I would wish--I do wish to speak with G.o.deau.

Mercadet You shall not speak with him, sir. I cannot permit you to doubt my word.

Verdelin This is superb.