I have my plan, and it
is as plain as daylight. This evening you will write to your
London correspondent. Request M. Patterson to summon your son to
England, under any pretext whatever; let him pretend that he
wishes to give him some money, for instance. He will go there, of
course, and then we will keep him there. Coralth certainly won't
run after him, and we shall have nothing more to fear on that
score."
"Great heavens!" murmured Madame d'Argeles, "why did this idea
never occur to me?"
The baron had now completely recovered his composure. "As regards
yourself," said he, "the plan you ought to adopt is still more
simple. What is your furniture worth? About a hundred thousand
francs, isn't it? Very well, then. You will sign me notes, dated
some time back, to the amount of a hundred thousand francs. On
the day these notes fall due, on Monday, for instance, they will
be presented for payment. You will refuse to pay them. A writ
will be served, and an attachment placed upon your furniture; but
you will offer no resistance. I don't know if I explain my
meaning very clearly."
"Oh, very clearly!"
"So your property is seized. You make no opposition, and next
week we shall have flaming posters on all the walls, telling Paris
that the furniture, wardrobe, cashmeres, laces, and diamonds of
Madame Lia d'Argeles will be sold without reserve, at public
auction, in the Rue Drouot, with the view of satisfying the claims
of her creditors.
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