Falk gave him the deed of gift, written on parchment, and the amount.
"Count the money to see whether it is right."
Levin opened a packet of papers and stared, wide-eyed, at fifty sheets covered with lithographic designs, in all possible colours.
"Is that money?" he asked.
"These are securities," answered Falk; "fifty shares at two hundred crowns each in the 'Triton,' which I bequeath to the crèche Bethlehem."
"Haha! It's all over with the 'Triton,' then, and the rats are leaving the sinking ship!"
"I didn't say that," replied Falk, laughing maliciously.
"But if it should be the case, the crèche will be bankrupt."
"That doesn't concern me, and it concerns you even less. But there is something else I want you to do. You must—you know what I mean when I say you must...."
"I know, I know, bailiffs, promissory notes—go on!"