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The girl was forced to notice the money-lender. She did so reluctantly, however. "So you, too, sought shelter from the storm beneath old man Norton's hospitable roof. You are dead right, Mr. Lablache; we who live on the prairie need to be ever on the alert. One never knows what each hour may bring forth." The girl was still in her ball-dress. Lablache's fishy eyes noticed her charming appearance.
But saving only all that money, the mendicant received nothing from the Gods at all, and the heart of the money-lender was uneasy on account of expectation. Therefore at noon of the third day the money-lender went into the temple to spy upon the councils of the Gods, and to learn in what manner that gift might arrive.
Every morning he received his tribute, eyeing it like a Nabob's prime minister, as he considers whether he will sign a pardon. Gobseck would take anything, from the present of game sent him by some poor devil or the pound's weight of wax candles from devout folk, to the rich man's plate and the speculator's gold snuff-box. Nobody knew what became of the presents sent to the old money-lender.
The money-lender did not attempt to show the policeman any consideration. He had decided that Horrocks was a fool, and when Lablache formed such an opinion of a man he rarely attempted to conceal it, especially when the man stood in a subordinate position. After seeing the officer off the premises, Lablache moved heavily back to his desk. The alarm clock indicated ten minutes to nine.
I don't know that I ever tackled anything quite as ticklish as this, for he is as wary and sly as a fox. We mustn't give 'im time to think, if we can help it. Sh! there he is now. Don't mind anything I say, no matter how harsh it sounds remember, I'm working for your good, and using fire to stop fire." She nodded and smiled knowingly, but said nothing, for the money-lender was approaching.
We shall, I think, lay our hands on this Retief." "Good good," murmured the money-lender, inclining his heavy jowled head. "Find the man and we shall recover the cattle." "I am not so sure of that," put in the other. "However, we shall see." Lablache looked slightly disappointed. The capture of Retief seemed to him synonymous with the recovery of his stock.
His bargain-driver's eyes watched hers intently, unable to detect the slightest clue that should start him guessing. He was trying to identify a man, not a woman. "How shall I give security for silence?" he asked. "I already hold it." "How? What? Where?" The money-lender betrayed a glimpse of sheer pugnacity that seemed to amuse his tormentor. "Send thy jackal out of ear-shot, tiger."
The money-lender then gave his decision, which was in favour of the party who had given him the most valuable present; he decided that the young birds must stay where they were. "But," protested the egret "how have my white nestlings become black?" "That is quite natural" answered the money-lender, "a white cow may have a black or brown calf: why should not you have black young ones?"
I don't want a half confidence." Gerald hesitated and then began his tale. He had used the bank's money to speculate with and had lost. Plunging again, in the hope of getting straight, he had got alarmed when the margin shrank, and had gone to Hallam, the money-lender. The latter had insisted on a guarantee for the bill and Gerald had used Kit's name.
He merely wished to establish a suspicion in the mind of the officer. Time and necessity might develop it, if it suited Lablache's schemes that such should occur. In the meantime he knew he could direct this man's actions as he chose. The calm superiority of the money-lender was not lost upon his companion. Horrocks was nettled, and showed it. "But you'll pardon me, Mr. Lablache.
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