Serge Panine -- Volume 04

ch was the entrance to the offices. The stairs leading to the first floor were covered by a well- worn carpet. Here was a long corridor into which the different offices opened. On their glas

destly when opening the bank; his business had increased, but his habits had remained the same. It was not a difficult ma

l. For the first time Serge had put himself out for the banker. He was introduced with marks of the most profoun

, went toward him. Serge seemed nervous and some

ing down. "What are you up to? I have waited

r, and felt taken aback

is-" sta

your engagement?" as

king slowly, "but I met Ma

hat to do with

lations with Madame Desvarennes are important. I hold a great deal of money of hers in my bank. She first gave me a start. I cannot, without appearing ungrateful,

gh. "I sympathize with your troubles. You side with the mon

able! I don't know what you have done to your mother-in-law, but she seems much vexed with you. In your place I would rather make a f

at Cayrol, and put on his

re excellent when you have any money to spare

sed rage. Madame Desvarennes had, with one word, dried up the source from which he had been drawing most of the money which he had spent du

regretted, for a moment, the follies which had led him into this difficulty. He ought to have been able to live on two hundred thousand francs

rned round. Herzog, smiling in his enigmatical manner, was before him. Serge b

pose your pocketbook is full of notes,

he corner of which was peeping out of the Prince's pocket. Panine co

el with Madame Desvarennes yesterday? Whoever was it told me that? Your mother-in-law spoke of cutting off

as something in the latter's look which annoyed Serge. His glance seemed to be fathoming the depths of Panine's pockets, an

ut?" asked Serge, at last

"Come, be sincere. Cayrol has just refused you a sum of money. He's a sim

n a check, the financier

ould not be in any difficu

, astonished, and push

debted to me. It is hardly wo

e's arm Herzog w

talk to you. Your troubles cannot last. I will show you the me

nine he seated himself be

eful to you. You were haughty, and I did not insist; yet you see the day has come.

ered Serge, r

is moment, vulgarly spea

many and your

-" protes

ou went the pace like a great lord. Undoubtedly it costs a lot of money to keep up such an establishment. As you spent without counting the cost, you confounded the capital with the interest, so that at this moment you are three part

er," remarked Serge, smi

in that million. The first is by making it up with your mother- in-law, and conse

erge, "I refu

ust get out of your

red the Prince,

ked at him

h which I am ready to o

I will guide you. By g

ce and tried to read his fac

one needs experienc

fice," retorte

d the Prince," and I

ney from you. I

o I bring into

me, and your relations w

answered,

mother-in-law is hostile, and will do nothing for me. As to my name, it

sides, if you care to examine things closely, your ancestors will not have reason to tremble in their graves. What did they do formerly? They imposed taxes on their vassals and extorted money from the vanquished. We financiers do the same. Our vanquished are the speculators; our vassals the shareholders. And what a superiority there is about our proc

e saw what Herzo

ance are sometimes subjec

-Mars, Biron, and Montm

, with

a scaffold,"

ting on to the European Credit Company, the Universal Credit Company. Its very name is a programme in itself. To stretch over the four quarters of the globe like an immense net, and draw into its meshes all financial speculators: such is its aim. Nobody will be able to withstand us. I am offering you great things, but I dream of still greater. I have ideas. You will see them developed,

than he cared to sh

o Faust?" asked he. "Where is you

e, and measure the results; and then if it suit you, you can sign a deed of partnership.

was just passing down the Champs Elysees. The weather was lovely, and in the distance could be seen the trees of the Tuileries and the different monuments of the Place de la Concorde bathed in blue mist. Groups of horsemen

d, and calling the Prince's

s your

at him earne

t agr

a moment, and then b

s agr

tring communicating with

" said he

riage, which had followed c

me, and soul. The power which this new game exercised over him was incredible. It was quite different to the stupid games at the club, always the same. On the Bour

millions of francs. And then the field for operations was large. Politics, the interests of nations, were

ate of great excitement. He believed everything that Herzog said to him as if it were gospel. He saw the world bending under the yoke which he was about to impose upon it. People working and toiling every day were doing so for him alone, and like one of those

d sent for Cayrol, begging him to remain a director of the European Credit, in order to watch the progress of the new affair. With he

ect of plebeian timidity. The mistress understood nothing of great speculations, and Cayrol was a narrow-minded banker! He knew what he was doing. The results of his speculations were mathematical. So far

tried to persuade him. Serge took her in h

pared herself and her daughter. It would have only been necessary to reveal his behavior and betrayal to Micheline, and to provoke a separation. If the house of Desvarennes were no longer security for Panine, his credit would fall. Disowned by his mother-in-law,

to her black books. With the incredible persistence of a loving heart, she hoped to win back Serge. Thus a terrible misunderstan

six demigods, who ruled the stock market, were firmly placed. The audacious encroachments of this newcomer had vexed these

any, and announcing the names of the directors, among which appeared that of the Prince. Some were members of the Legion d'Honneur; others re

mistress, who found herself somewhat in a dilemma; either she must disown her son-in-law, or speak well of the affair. Still she did not hesitate, for she w

wspapers, as a word had gone forth which paralyzed the speculation. Ugly rumors were afloat. Herzog's German origin was made use of by the bankers, who whispered that the aim of the Universal Credit Company was exclusively political. It was to establish branch

mber of unissued shares to be sold on 'Change, and had them bought up by his own men, thus creating a fictitious interest i

hing. He remained in perfect tranquillity. He had increased his expenditure, and his household was on a royal footing. Micheline

muse herself. Besides, he had not the least suspicion. Jeanne, like all guilty women, overwhelmed him with kind attentions, which the good man mistook for proofs of love. The fatal passion was growing d

asures of being indissolubly united. The woman was more eager than the man in giving way to these visions of happiness. She sometimes said, "What hinders us now? Let us go." Bu

ssimulating; her husband was an object of horror to her, and she had to tell him untruths and submit

dant in trouble, were calm and resigned. Full of pride, she had carefully hidden from Pierre the cause of her troubles. He was the last person by whom she would like to be pitied, and her letters had represented Serge as repentant

of his establishment. Seeing the name of Panine, and not that of Cayrol, Pierre shuddered. The unpleasant ideas which he experienced formerly when Herzog was introduc

en a hundred and twenty francs. A panic had ensued. The affair was considered as absolu

ated, looking upon him as a usurper of his own rights upon the fortune of the Desvarennes. He began lamenting to his aunt

standing Madame Desvarennes's supplications to keep them together, in the hope that the one would save the other. But Cayrol, practical, clear, and implacable, had refused, for the first time, to obey Madame Desvarennes. He acted with the resolution of a captain of a vessel, who throws overboard a portion of the cargo to save the sh

anine, who was at that very moment robbing him of his

me Desvarennes met in Ma

was imperative to take

It was the duty of th

as no doubt H

ut an accomplice. And what could she tell him? Let him ruin himself! He would n

was impossible, and her interferenc

speak to him," sai

sly what he must hear, and that is Cayrol. Let us above all things keep guard

nd honor, perhaps, were compromised, the mother

a cigarette in the smoking-room. A door, covered by curtains, led to a back stair which opened into t

red everything, and instinctively stepped backward. The banker's manner soon unde

the Prince, gayly, "what good

ered the banker, gravely. "I wish to have some talk with y

You have some heavy payments on hand, and wa

ess and negligence frightened him. The banker resolved to proceed clearly, and without b

sal Credit Company is on the eve of disaster; there is still time for you to

e la

eve a word you are saying. You have come from Madame Desvarennes. You are both agreed that I shall

e toward the ceiling. Cayrol did not trouble to argue, but took a new

iversal Credit Company, and basing its statements on irrefutable calculations. Se

destined to crush them in the future, and they are doing all they can to run us aground. Jealousy!

iend? Well, I swear to you that the situation is terrible, and you must resign your directorship of the U

ild to be led by the no

f you are sincere, Cayro

fool. You don't underst

I have a lot of mo

Desvarennes will pay you back.

word, I don't believe you. I shall go straight to the office, and I will speak to Herzog. We

nterview with Herzog would enlighten him. He left the matter to c

d furniture and large offices? How could they refuse to place their money in the hands of speculators that could cover their floors with such soft carpets? The porters, with their dark blue and red cloth liveries, and buttons with the company's monogram on them,

r reading the accounts in the newspapers, and who felt full of confidence after seeing the splendor of the place. Panine reached Herzog

ep them up. I have given orders in London, Vienna, and Berlin, and we are buying up all shares that are offered

ady," said th

nks seek to deteriorate my stock. I buy in, and take

y Herzog; he had just said so. There was nothing to fear then. It was ju

e we

rzog. "Ask him what he thinks of th

nager, and our business will prosper in your hands, I am sure. Besides, I know the mano

you a few minutes ago?"

ne of triumph. "Let me

keep you against your w

ty to withdraw fr

ving the company; on the contrary, they might rely on him. He appreciated the experience and ability of Herzog

d Serge, when he found himself alone with Herzog. "Do y

use they are founded on truth

ean?" cried Se

scheme in hand which will kill the gas companies. It is a plan for lighting by magnesium. Its effect will be startling. I shall publish sensational articles describing the invention in the London and Brussels papers. Gas shares will fall very low. I sh

e speculation foreign age

ging to Cayrol. We will give the cashier a joint receipt for them. The speculation will last three day

plan of taking the shares whi

ity. "Besides, don't forget that we have to d

him of it," ins

would find the idea too good, and want a share of the spoil. No! Sign that, and don't b

eady been walking too long. He stood silent and undecided. Confused thoughts crowded his brain; his temples throbbed, and a buzzing noise sounded in his ears. But th

, and, smiling in a

ause you are so closely allied to me. I don't so very much care to cut the pear

per and, having signed it,

t and be absent three days. Watch the money mark

Herzog went to the cashier to get