The same persons, Pierquin and Verdelin. Mercadet (leading Pierquin to the front of the stage without perceiving Verdelin) Is it all right? Pierquin (in some embarrassment) It is all right. The stock is ours. Mercadet (joyfully) Bravo! Verdelin (approaching Mercadet) Good-day! Mercadet What! Verdelin-- Verdelin I find out that you have bought the stock before me, and that now I shall have to pay very much higher than I expected; but it is all right, it was well managed, and I am compelled to cry, "Hail to the King of the Exchange, Hail to the Napoleon of Finance!" (He laughs derisively.) Mercadet (somewhat abashed) What does he mean? Verdelin I'm only repeating what you said yesterday-- Mercadet What I said? Pierquin The fact of it is, Verdelin does not believe in the return of Godeau-- Minard Ah, sir! Mercadet Is there any doubt about it? Verdelin (ironically) Doubt about it! There is more than doubt about it. I at once concluded that this so-called return was the bold stroke that you spoke of yesterday. Mercadet I--(Aside) Stupid of me! Verdelin I concluded that, relying upon the presence of this fictitious Godeau, you made purchases with the idea of paying on the rise, which would follow to-morrow, and that to-day you have actually not a single sou-- Mercadet You had imagined all that? Verdelin (approaching the fireplace) Yes, but when I saw outside that triumphal post-chaise--that model of Indian manufacture, and I realized that it was impossible to find such a vehicle in the Champs-Elysees, all my doubts disappeared and-- But hand him over the bonds, M. Pierquin! Pierquin The--bonds--it happens that-- Mercadet (aside) I must bluff, or I am lost! (Aloud) Certainly, produce the bonds. Pierquin One moment--if what this gentleman has said is true-- Mercadet (haughtily) M. Pierquin! Minard But, gentlemen--M. Godeau is here--I have seen him--I have talked with him. Mercadet (to Pierquin) He has talked with him, sir. Pierquin (to Verdelin) The fact of it is, I have seen him myself. Verdelin I don't doubt it! By the bye, on what vessel did our friend Godeau say he arrived? Mercadet By what vessel? It was by the--by the /Triton/-- Verdelin How careless the English newspapers are. They have published the arrival of no other English mail packet but the /Halcyon/. Pierquin Really! Mercadet Let us end this discussion. M. Pierquin--those bonds-- Pierquin Pardon me, but as you have offered no collateral, I would wish--I do wish to speak with Godeau. Mercadet You shall not speak with him, sir. I cannot permit you to doubt my word. Verdelin This is superb. Mercadet M. Minard, go to Godeau-- Tell him that I have obtained an option on three hundred thousand francs' worth of stock, and ask him to send me --(with emphasis)--thirty thousand francs for use as a margin. A man in his position always has such a sum about him. (In a low voice) Do not fail to bring me the thirty thousand.