He was, however, occasionally surpassed in cunning, and, on one occasion, a great banker lent Rothschild a million and a half on the security of consols, the price of which was then eighty-four. The terms on which the money was lent were simple. If the price reached seventy-four, the banker might claim the stock at seventy; but Rothschild felt satisfied that, with so large a sum out of the market, the bargain was tolerably safe. The banker, however, as much a Jew as Rothschild, had a plan of his own. He immediately began selling the consols received from the latter, together with a similar amount in his own possession. The funds dropped; the Stock Exchange grew alarmed; other circumstances tended to depress it; the fatal price of seventy-four was reached; and the Christian banker had the satisfaction of outwitting the Hebrew loan-monger. But, if sometimes outwitted himself, there is little doubt he made others pay for it; and, on one occasion, it is reported that his finesse proved too great for the authorities of the Bank of England. Mr. Rothschild was in want of bullion, and went to the governor to procure on loan a portion of the superfluous store. His wishes were met, the terms were agreed on, the period was named for its return, and the affair finished for the time. The gold was used by the financier, his end was answered, and the day arrived on which he was to return the borrowed metal. Punctual to the time appointed, Mr. Rothschild entered; and those who remember his personal appearance may imagine the cunning twinkle of his small, quick eye, as, ushered into the presence of the governor, he handed the borrowed amount in bank-notes. He was reminded of his agreement, and the necessity for bullion was urged. His reply was worthy a commercial Talleyrand. “Very well, gentlemen. Give me the notes! I dare say your cashier will honor them with gold from your vaults, and then I can return you bullion.” To such a speech the only worthy reply was a scornful silence. One cause of his success was the secrecy with which he shrouded all his transactions, and the tortuous policy with which he misled those the most who watched him the keenest. If he possessed news calculated to make the funds rise, he would commission the broker who acted on his behalf to sell half a million. The shoal of men who usually follow the movements of others, sold with him. The news soon passed through Capel Court that Rothschild was bearing the market, and the funds fell. Men looked doubtingly at one another, a general panic spread, bad news was looked for, and these united agencies sunk the price two or three per cent. This was the result expected; and other brokers, not usually employed by him, bought all they could at the reduced rate. By the time this was accomplished, the good news had arrived, the pressure ceased, the funds arose instantly, and Mr. Rothschild reaped his reward.[9]