United States or Saint Barthélemy ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Goldsturmer," said Gorman, "is a Jew, and the Jews are a cautious race. However, if you go to him and say 'The Emperor' in an Open Sesame tone of voice he'll no doubt give in at once." "Exactly," said Steinwitz gravely. Gorman collapsed then. Steinwitz' portentous solemnity was too much for him. Sticking pins into a man or an ape is a pleasant sport. They have skins of reasonable density.
"Before I agree to buy," said Goldsturmer, "I should like to be sure that the American lady, Miss Donovan, still wishes for the pearls. I do not want to lock up my capital. I cannot afford to lock up so large a sum. I must be assured of a purchaser before I buy from Madame Ypsilante. It is not every one who can pay for such pearls. Ah! if you had seen them!
"I would rather," he said, "that a real queen, a queen by right of law, wore them. Tell me, Mr. Gorman, is Miss Donovan still willing to buy them?" "I'm sure I don't know," said Gorman. "I haven't seen her for weeks. She's yachting in the Mediterranean with her father. If I were you I'd give up Miss Donovan and look out for a queen." "Thank you," said Goldsturmer.
For if we have to wait and wait for months that imbecile girl will buy the pearls. Do not say no. I know it. I have a feeling. There is a presentiment. And if she gets those pearls I shall " Gorman did not want her to go mad again. "Couldn't you see Goldsturmer," he said, "and arrange with him to give you the refusal of the pearls, say, three months from now?"
Gorman was dressing for dinner was, in fact, buttoning his collar when his landlord entered his room and handed him a card. Gorman looked at it. "FRIEDRICH GOLDSTURMER, Dealer in Jewels and Precious Stones, Old Bond Street." Written across the corner of the card were the words: "Business important and urgent." Gorman glanced at his watch.
The affairs of the wine company had occupied some space in the daily papers, and the names of the directors had been published. His name and the King's had appeared together very frequently. "And perhaps," said Goldsturmer, "you also know Madame Ypsilante?" "I have seen the lady," said Gorman. Goldsturmer was not in the least discouraged by Gorman's reticence.
It is enough for you to know this. Madame Ypsilante will sell. Goldsturmer will buy. I myself will settle these matters." Gorman was enjoying himself greatly. Nothing in the world gives him more pleasure than intercourse with a man who takes himself seriously. Steinwitz was a real delight. He was solemnly and ponderously serious about himself. He was pontifical about the Emperor.
He hasn't got it. There's a cool ten thousand gone on a pearl necklace, as well as " "Goldsturmer is prepared to buy back the necklace," said Steinwitz. "I have arranged that." "Well," said Gorman, "it's your affair, of course. But I wouldn't be too sure. I don't think Madame Ypsilante will sell at any price." "Madame Ypsilante will do what she must," said Steinwitz. "The Emperor "
He says your friend Donovan has bought the island of Salissa from that picturesque blackguard King Konrad Karl. I wonder if that can be true. Goldsturmer says he has it on the best authority." "Those 'best authorities'," said Gorman, "are invariably liars. I have known scores of them."
Still less am I concerned with the state affairs of Megalia. I have no connection with Megalia." Gorman sat thinking for a while after Goldsturmer left him. The jeweller's visit and his questions were natural enough. Such inquiries are made every day. There was nothing surprising in the offer of one per cent. on the money which was to change hands in return for information.
Word Of The Day