"Even if we had the money, we should
gain nothing by taking off all our bills as they fall due, instead of
renewing them."
"But if the bank will not discount any more--"
"Del Ferice will, in the bank's name. When he is ready for the failure,
we shall fail and he will profit by our loss."
"Do you think that is what he means to do?"
Contini looked at Orsino in surprise.
"Of course. What did you expect? You do not suppose that he means to
make us a present of that paper, or to hold it indefinitely until we can
make a good sale."
"And he will ultimately get possession of all the paper himself."
"Naturally. As the old bills fall due we shall renew them with him,
practically, and not with the bank. He knows what he is about. He
probably has some scheme for selling the whole block to the government,
or to some institution, and is sure of his profit beforehand. Our
failure will give him a profit of twenty-five or thirty per cent."
Orsino was strangely reassured by his partner's gloomy view.
Pages:
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571