And quietly lighting another cigarette, he gracefully puffed the smoke toward the ceiling.  Cayrol did not trouble to argue, but took a newspaper from his pocket and handed it to Panine, simply saying, “Read!”

It was an article in a reliable financial paper prophesying the failure of the Universal Credit Company, and basing its statements on irrefutable calculations.  Serge took the paper and looked over it.  He turned pale and crushed it in his hand.

“What infamy!” cried he.  “I know our adversaries are enraged.  Yes, they know that our new company is destined to crush them in the future, and they are doing all they can to run us aground.  Jealousy!  Envy!  There is no other foundation for these rumors, and they are unworthy a serious man’s attention.”

“There is neither envy nor jealousy.  All is true,” said Cayrol.  “You will admit that I am your sincere friend?  Well, I swear to you that the situation is terrible, and you must resign your directorship of the Universal Credit without loss of time.  There’s not a moment to lose.  Sit down and write your resignation.”

“Do you think I am a child to be led by the nose like that?” asked the Prince, in a passion.  “If you are sincere, Cayrol, as I wish to believe, I also think you are a fool.  You don’t understand!  As to drawing out of the company, never!  I have a lot of money invested in it.”

“Well, lose your money, Madame Desvarennes will pay you back.  At least you can save your name.”

“Ah, I see you are conniving with her!” exclaimed the Prince, loudly.  “Don’t tell me another word, I don’t believe you.  I shall go straight to the office, and I will speak to Herzog.  We will take measures to prosecute the papers for libel if they dare to publish these untruths.”

Cayrol saw that nothing would convince Panine.  He hoped that an interview with Herzog would enlighten him.  He left the matter to chance, as reasoning was of no avail, and went down to the mistress.

Serge drove to the Universal Credit Company.  It was the first day in the new offices.  Herzog had furnished them splendidly, thinking that this would give the shareholders a high opinion of the undertaking.  How could they have any doubts when they saw such splendid 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, answered inquiries with haughty condescension.  Everything foretold success.  It was in the air.  You could hear the cashier shovelling heaps of gold.  The people who had placed the Universal Credit Company on such a footing were either very powerful or very impudent.

Serge walked in, as he would have done at home, with his hat on, amid a number of small shareholders, who had come full of anxiety after reading the accounts in the newspapers, and who felt full of confidence after seeing the splendor of the place.  Panine reached Herzog’s office, but when about to open the door, loud voices struck his ear.  The financier was arguing with a director, and Panine listened.