Upon
this, a knock at the door is heard; Lemoal enters and all present slip
out of the room, and Lemoal pronounces these words only: "Do you
consent?" - "But I cannot thus dispose of my partners' property." -
"Then you will go to prison." At this threat the poor man yields and
gives his note to Lemoal at twenty days, payable to bearer, for one
hundred and fifty thousand livres, and, at the end of a fortnight, by
dint of pushing his claims, obtains his freedom. Thereupon, Lemoal
thinks the matter over, and deems it prudent to cover up his private
extortion by a public one. Accordingly, he sends for M. Davilliers :
"It is now essential for you to openly contribute one hundred and
fifty thousand livres more for the necessities of the Republic. I
will introduce you to the representatives to whom you should make the
offer." The chicken being officially plucked in this way, nobody would
suppose that it had been first privately plucked, and, moreover, the
inquisitive, if there were any, would be thrown off the scent by the
confusion arising from two sums of equal amount. M. Davilliers begs
to be allowed to consult his partners, and, as they are not in prison,
they refuse.
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