“And the scoop will take place?” asked Cæsar.
“On the 27th.”
“So that on those days we shall sell just as much again?”
“And we shall sell much dearer.”
They dropped that point and talked of other things.
Señor Puchol was a literary man and was writing a symbolistic drama which he wanted to read to Cæsar.
At twelve they said good-night. Puchol was to tell his chief that he had not been able to do any business with Señor Pérez Cuesta. In respect to the other matter, they had an engagement for ten the next morning at a café in the neighbourhood of the Bourse.
There were no great difficulties to overcome. They saw a broker named Müller. Cæsar entrusted him with his twenty thousand francs, and hinted that the speculation was being made for some rich people, who would have no objection to making up any loss, if he should exceed the twenty thousand francs.
The broker told him he could play whatsoever sum he wished.
As Cæsar had not entire confidence in Puchol, and did not care either to tell the broker that he was to begin only when the stocks fell, he brought Yarza into the deal.