His father is, I hear, very
wealthy, and he will come into money on attaining his majority, which
is near at hand. He brought with him a lady," continued the tailor, "and
said her name was Zora de Chantemille, a tremendously pretty girl."
"That young man is always in my way," said Mascarin. "I would give
something to get him out of Paris."
Van Klopen reflected for a moment. "I don't think that would be
difficult," remarked he; "that young fellow is capable of any act of
folly for that fair girl."
"I think so too."
"Then the matter is easy. I will open an account with him; then, after a
little, I will affect doubts as to his solvency, and ask for a bill;
and we shall then place our young friend in the hands of the Mutual
Loan Society, and M. Verminet will easily persuade him to write his name
across the bottom of a piece of stamped paper. He will bring it to me; I
will accept it, and then we shall have him hard and fast."
"I should have proposed another course."
"I see no other way, however," He suddenly stopped, for a loud noise was
heard in the ante-room, and the sound of voices in loud contention.
"I should like to know," said Van Klopen, rising to his feet, "who the
impudent scoundrel is, who comes here kicking up a row.
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