“There is time gained.  To-morrow, perhaps, I shall be turned into the street.  Caffie will obtain a respite.”

“And what price will he ask for this service?”

“It is only those who own something who worry about the price.”

“You have your name, dignity, and honor, and once you are in Caffies hands, who knows what he may exact from you, what he may make you do, without your being able to resist him?”

“Then you wish me to leave Paris?”

“Certainly not; but I wish you to be on your guard against Caffie, whom you do not know, but I do, through what Florentin told us when he was with him.  However secret a man may be, he cannot hide himself from his clerk.  He is not only guilty of rascalities, but also of real crimes.  I assure you that he deserves ten deaths.  To gain a hundred francs he will do anything; he makes money only for the pleasure of making it, for he has neither child nor relative.”

“Well, I promise to be on my guard as you advise.  But, wicked as Caffie may be, I believe that I shall accept the concours that he offered me.  Who knows what may happen in the short time that he gains for me?  Because I need not tell you that I know beforehand what his reply will be to my request for a loan—­he could find no one.”

“I shall come, all the same, to-morrow evening to learn his answer.”

CHAPTER IX

CAFFIE’S ANSWER

Although Saniel did not build any false hopes on Caffie’s reply, he went to see him the next afternoon at the same hour.

As before, he waited some time after ringing the bell.  At last he heard a slow step within.

“Who is there?” Caffie asked.

As soon as Saniel answered, the door was opened.

“As I do not like to be disturbed in the evening by troublesome people, I do not always open the door,” Caffie said.  “But I have a signal for my clients so that I may know them.  After ringing, knock three times on the door.”

During this explanation they entered Caffie’s office.

“Have you done anything about my affair?” Saniel asked, after a moment, as Caffie seemed disinclined to open the conversation.

“Yes, my dear sir.  I have been running about all the morning for you.  I never neglect my clients; their affairs are mine.”

He paused.

“Well?” Saniel said.

Caffie put on an expression of despair.

“What did I tell you, my dear sir?  Do you remember?  Do me the honor to believe that a man of my experience does not speak lightly.  What I foresaw has come to pass.  Everywhere I received the same reply.  The risk is too great; no one would take it.”

“Not even for a large interest?”

“Not even for a large interest; there is so much competition in your profession.  As for me, I believe in your future, and I have proved it by my proposition; but, unfortunately, I am only an intermediary, and not the lender of money.”