'My friend,' Hugo replied, dropping into his chair, 'I would sooner see
the whole blessed place fall like the Bastille than see it "limited."'

Polycarp rose in his turn.

'My clients,' he remarked in a peculiar tone, 'had set their minds on
this affair.'

'For once in a way your clients will be disappointed,' said Hugo.

'What do you mean--"for once in a way"?'

'Who are your clients, Mr. Polycarp?'

'Since the offer is rejected, it would be useless to divulge their
names.'

'I will tell you, then,' said Hugo. 'Your client--for there is only
one--is Louis Ravengar. I saw it stated in a paper the other day that
Louis Ravengar had successfully floated thirty-nine companies with a
total capitalization of thirty millions. But my scalp will not be added
to his collection.'

'I shall not disclose the identity of my clients,' Mr. Polycarp minced.
'But, speaking of Mr. Ravengar, I have noticed that what he wants he
gets. The manner in which the United Coal Company, Limited, was brought
to flotation by him in the teeth of the opposition of the proprietors
was really most interesting.'

'You mean to warn me that there are ways of compelling a private concern