“Refuse what? Be precise. Your daughter or our affair?” Elias changed colour, and his eyes flashed. However, neither anger nor chagrin appeared from his voice. “They refuse both alliance with me and co-operation with you. Everything, in short!” “Donnerwetter!” growled Hans. “Are they mad?” “No; they are aware that you have nothing, and they have everything. This they prove by sending us about our business.” “You take all this very calmly,” exclaimed Count Cesare. “I have seen you less resigned than you now appear.” “I am not in the habit of fighting windmills. You have tricked me into an absurd and dangerous business; now I am simply leaving it, that is all.” “Leaving your feathers behind.” “As you say. But as few as possible. I have already turned round about and effected a counter-operation.” “You rogue! You will end by earning money, where we lose everything!” replied Agostini, pale with anger. “If I do so, it is because I am not so stupid as you, who can do nothing but spend it.” Hans burst into a laugh. As Agostini seemed to be on the point of losing his temper, he laid his hand on his arm, and forced him to keep his seat. “Old money-bags is right; but we must not act like horses when there is no hay in the rack, and begin to fight. Let us study the situation, and see what can be done. First of all, what does the beauty say? Up to the present she has not spoken a word. Still, she must have an opinion on the matter; we will allow her to give it first.” The Baroness appeared to awake from a reverie, and she said, in disdainful tones— “It is not my custom desperately to follow up badly-conceived operations. You know what I have always told you since the Vanves night: that there was an evil spell over the whole affair. You will arrive at no successful end. After all, you have obtained half of what you wanted—the war powder. Follow the example Lichtenbach sets you. Give it up, and pass on to something else.” “Something else, indeed!” growled Hans. “No, I shall not let go an affair which has cost me so dear. Some one must pay me for the arm I have lost!” “Well, what plan have you to offer?” asked the Baroness, impatiently. “You will arrange to strike up a fresh acquaintance with Marcel Baradier. Bring me the young man here one of these evenings. He knows the secret of the manufacture, and he shall either give it up to you of his own free will, or I will undertake to force him to do so.” Lichtenbach’s hands trembled nervously. Sophia remained impassive. “Well, what do you say to my proposal?” asked Hans, in jovial tones. “I will have nothing further to do with the matter!” declared the Baroness. “Ah! take care!” exclaimed Agostini. “I know why you refuse to help us against young Marcel. You are afraid for him. That is the difficulty.” “And what if it were so?” Hans made no reply. He appeared to reflect deeply. Then, with feigned good temper, he said—