Part 16 (2/2)
Gustave drew himself up to his full height, and stepped up close to his brother.
”Terrible! indeed it is! And the most terrible part is, that all these things are true. I have been on the spot, and can pledge my honour for every word that I have written there. Draw back, Frank, while there is yet time. This article, appearing in the _K--sche Zeitung_, repeated throughout the entire German press, cannot fail in its working. The Consulate, the Ministry will be obliged to notice it. They will take care that no one falls unwarned into the hands of Jenkin's and Co.”
”You are very proud of the wonderful effect of your pen!” cried Sandow beside himself. ”You seem to have forgotten that I am an equal shareholder with Jenkins, and that when you describe the place in such revolting colours, every word is directed against the wealth and honour of your brother. You will not only ruin me by this, but represent me as a scoundrel in the eyes of all the world.”
”No. I shall not do that, for you will separate yourself altogether from this rascally company, and I shall add, that my brother, who had unwittingly become involved in this speculation, retreated from it at a great pecuniary sacrifice, as soon as his eyes were opened to the enormity of the proceeding. Declare this openly to the man, if you fear that merely withdrawing will be injurious to your credit. The truth, here too, is the best.”
”And you think that Jenkins would believe me, the merchant, the head of the house of Clifford, guilty of such an insane trick. He would simply believe I had lost my senses.”
”It is possible, for since this honourable personage has no conscience himself, he would not understand its existence in anyone else.
Nevertheless, you must try every means.”
Sandow walked wildly up and down the room for a few minutes, at last he stopped and said with gasping breath--
”You do not know what it is to seize a wasp's nest. In Europe you would at least be safe from their stings, while I must remain here open to all. Jenkins would never forgive me if my name were attached to any such revelations. He is influential enough to set against me all who are concerned in it, and they are counted by hundreds. You do not know the iron ring of interest which surrounds and binds us together. One hangs on the other, one supports the other. Woe to him who tears himself away and offers battle to his former companions. They all swear to destroy him. His credit is undermined, his plans crossed, he himself calumniated and hara.s.sed till he is ruined. Just now I could not support such attacks. Jessie's money will be lost to the firm, this speculation has weakened my own means to the last degree; should it fail, for me it will be the beginning of ruin. I speak as unreservedly to you as you have to me, and now go and publish your discovery to all the world!”
He paused, overwhelmed with excitement; Gustave looked darkly before him, his brow, too, bore the marks of deep and anxious care.
”I did not think that you were so surrounded and entangled on every side. That comes from this execrable system of business! Well then”--he laid his hand upon the paper--”destroy this, I will not write it again.
I am silent when you a.s.sure me that my words will be your ruin. But the consequences are on your head! You must answer for every human life which is lost in that den of fever.”
”Gustave, you are killing me!” groaned Sandow sinking into a chair.
The door was gently opened and the servant announced that the carriage which usually conveyed the two gentlemen to town was at the door.
Gustave signed to the man to withdraw, and then bending over his brother said--
”You cannot now come to a decision. You must be calm. Let me go alone to the office to-day and represent you there. You are terribly agitated and excited, too much came on you yesterday.”
Sandow made a mute sign of a.s.sent, he might well feel that he was not in a condition to show his ordinary calm business demeanour to his subordinates. But when his brother was already at the door, he suddenly started up,
”One thing--not a word to Frida! Don't bring her into the field against me, or you drive me to extremities.”
”Be tranquil, I should not have ventured that,” said Gustave with great emphasis. ”It would estrange the scarcely won heart of your child--perhaps for ever. Good-bye Frank.”
About an hour later Frida entered her father's room, where he was still pacing restlessly up and down. She started when she saw him, for his countenance betrayed something of the struggle of the past hours. He tried indeed to conceal his agitation, and avoided giving a direct reply to the anxious inquiries of his daughter, but still she saw that he was devoured by feverish anxiety. The girl was still too much a stranger to venture on forcing his confidence by prayers and entreaties, but she looked with secret dread at the gloomy shadow which brooded over the brow, where nothing but joy and pardon should have been seen.
Suddenly Gustave entered with Jessie; he appeared to have just returned from town, for he still held his hat and gloves; he had, however, been scarcely an hour absent.
”I have brought Jessie with me,” he said in his usual cheerful manner, ”and since Frida is also here, we can hold another family council in your room. You are surprised to see me again so soon, Frank. I wished to relieve you of all business affairs to-day, but have been compelled to come to you for a decision. At the office I found some emigrants who would not be satisfied without seeing you, and as you were not coming to town today, I have brought them out here.”
”Yes, Gustave brought them out in his own carriage,” said Jessie who had been rather astonished at seeing her future husband drive up to the door, with some homely peasants in the elegant equipage belonging to their house.
”They are Germans, fellow-countrymen, indeed they are from our own little native place,” added Gustave quickly. ”They might not have been able to find their way here alone, so I considered it best to bring them.”
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