d des Lupeaulx in a mysterious manner, and told him that his
own servant wished him to deliver to him at once a letter of the utmost
importance.

The general-secretary went up to a lamp and read a note thus worded:--

Contrary to my custom, I am waiting in your ante-chamber to see
you; you have not a moment to lose if you wish to come to terms
with

Your obedient servant, Gobseck.

The secretary shuddered when he saw the signature, which we regret we
cannot give in fac-simile, for it would be valuable to those who like to
guess character from what may be called the physiognomy of signature.
If ever a hieroglyphic sign expressed an animal, it was assuredly this
written name, in which the first and the final letter approached each
other like the voracious jaws of a shark,--insatiable, always open,
seeking whom to devour, both strong and weak. As for the wording of
the note, the spirit of usury alone could have inspired a sentence so
imperative, so insolently curt and cruel, which said all and revealed
nothing. Those who had never heard of Gobseck would have felt, on
reading words which compelled him to whom they were addressed to obey,
yet gave no order, the presence of the implacable money-lender of the
rue des Gres. Like a dog called to heel by the huntsman, des Lupeaulx
left his present quest and went immediately to his own rooms, thinking
of his hazardous position. Imagine a general to whom an aide-de-camp
rides up and says: "The enemy with thirty thousand fresh troops is
attacking on our right flank."

A very few words will serve to explain this sudden arrival of Gigonnet
and Gobseck on the field of battle,--for des Lupeaulx found them both
waiting. At eight o'clock that evening, Martin Falleix, returning on the
wings of the wind,--thanks to three francs to the postboys and a courier
in advance,--had brought back with him the deeds of the property signed
the night before. Taken at once to the Cafe Themis by Mitral, these
securities passed into the hands of the two usurers, who hastened
(though on foot) to the ministry. It was past eleven o'clock. Des
Lupeaulx trembled when he saw those sinister faces, emitting a
simultaneous look as direct as a pistol shot and as brilliant as the
flash itself.

"What is it, my masters?" he said.

The two extortioners continued cold and motionless. Gigonnet silently
pointed to the documents in his hand, and then at the servant.

"Come into my study," said des Lu