Part 18 (1/2)
”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 t.i.tle-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 subst.i.tuted 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.