CHAPTER XXIX.
THE BARGAIN.
Then the ambassador consented to examine the necklace in detail. M.Boehmer showed each individual beauty.
"On the whole," said Beausire, interpreting for Manoel, "his excellencysees nothing to complain of in the necklace, but there are ten of thediamonds rather spotted."
"Oh!" said Boehmer.
"His excellency," interrupted Beausire, "understands diamonds perfectly.The Portuguese nobility play with the diamonds of Brazil, as children dohere with glass beads."
"Whatever it may be, however," said Boehmer, "this necklace is thefinest collection of diamonds in all Europe."
"That is true," said Manoel.
Then Beausire went on: "Well, M. Boehmer, her majesty the Queen ofPortugal has heard of this necklace, and has given M. de Souza acommission to buy it, if he approved of the diamonds, which he does.Now, what is the price?"
"1,600,000 francs."
Beausire repeated this to the ambassador.
"It is 100,000 francs too much," replied Manoel.
"Monseigneur," replied the jeweler, "one cannot fix the exact price ofthe diamonds on a thing like this. It has been necessary, in making thiscollection, to undertake voyages, and make searches and inquiries whichno one would believe but myself."
"100,000 francs too dear," repeated Manoel.
"And if his excellency says this," said Beausire, "it must be his firmconviction, for he never bargains."
Boehmer was shaken. Nothing reassures a suspicious merchant so much asa customer who beats down the price. However, he said, after a minute'sthought, "I cannot consent to a deduction which will make all thedifference of loss or profit to myself and my partner."
Don Manoel, after hearing this translated, rose, and Beausire returnedthe case to the jeweler.
"I will, however, speak to M. Bossange about it," contained Boehmer."I am to understand that his excellency offers 1,500,000 francs for thenecklace."
"Yes, he never draws back from what he has said."
"But, monsieur, you understand that I must consult with my partner."
"Certainly, M. Boehmer."
"Certainly," repeated Don Manoel, after hearing this translated; "but Imust have a speedy answer."
"Well, monseigneur, if my partner will accept the price, I will."
"Good."
"It then only remains, excepting the consent of M. Bossange, to settlethe mode of payment."
"There will be no difficulty about that," said Beausire. "How do youwish to be paid?"
"Oh," said Boehmer, laughing, "if ready money be possible----"
"What do you call ready money?" said Beausire coldly.
"Oh, I know no one has a million and a half of francs ready to paydown," said Boehmer, sighing.
"Certainly not."
"Still, I cannot consent to dispense with some ready money."
"That is but reasonable." Then, turning to Manoel: "How much will yourexcellency pay down to M. Boehmer?"
"100,000 francs." Beausire repeated this.
"And when the remainder?" asked Boehmer.
"When we shall have had time to send to Lisbon."
"Oh!" said Boehmer, "we have a correspondent there, and by writing tohim----"
"Yes," said Beausire, laughing ironically, "write to him, and ask if M.de Souza is solvent, and if her majesty be good for 1,400,000 francs."
"We cannot, sir, let this necklace leave France forever withoutinforming the queen; and our respect and loyalty demand that we shouldonce more give her the refusal of it."
"It is just," said Manoel, with dignity. "I should wish a Portuguesemerchant to act in the same way."
"I am very happy that monseigneur approves of my conduct. Then all issettled, subject only to the consent of M. Bossange, and the reiteratedrefusal of her majesty. I ask three days to settle these two points."
"On one side," said Beausire, "100,000 francs down, the necklace to beplaced in my hands, who will accompany you to Lisbon, to the honor ofyour correspondents, who are also our bankers. The whole of the money tobe paid in three months."
"Yes, monseigneur," said Boehmer, bowing.
Manoel returned it, and the jeweler took leave.
When they were alone, Manoel said angrily to Beausire, "Please toexplain what the devil you mean by this journey to Portugal? Are youmad? Why not have the jewels here in exchange for our money?"
"You think yourself too really ambassador," replied Beausire; "you arenot yet quite M. de Souza to this jeweler."
"If he had not thought so he would not have treated."
"Agreed; but every man in possession of 1,500,000 francs holds himselfabove all the ambassadors in the world; and every one who gives thatvalue in exchange for pieces of paper wishes first to know what thepapers are worth."
"Then you mean to go to Portugal--you, who cannot speak Portugueseproperly? I tell you, you are mad."
"Not at all; you shall go yourself, if you like."
"Thank you," said Don Manoel. "There are reasons why I would rather notreturn to Portugal."
"Well, I tell you, M. Boehmer would never give up the diamonds formere papers."
"Papers signed Souza?"
"I said you thought yourself a real Souza."
"Better say at once that we have failed," said Manoel.
"Not at all. Come here, captain," said Beausire to the valet; "you knowwhat we are talking of?"
"Yes."
"You have listened to everything?"
"Certainly."
"Very well; do you think I have committed a folly?"
"I think you perfectly right."
"Explain why."
"M. Boehmer would, on the other plan, have been incessantly watchingus, and all connected with us. Now, with the money and the diamonds bothin his hands, he can have no suspicion, but will set out quietly forPortugal, which, however, he will never reach. Is it not so, M.Beausire?"
"Ah, you are a lad of discernment!"
"Explain your plan," said Manoel.
"About fifty leagues from here," said Beausire, "this clever fellow herewill come and present two pistols at the heads of our postilions, willsteal from us all we have, including the diamonds, and will leave M.Boehmer half dead with blows."
"Oh, I did not understand exactly that," said the valet. "I thought youwould embark for Portugal."
"And then----"
"M. Boehmer, like all Germans, will like the sea, and walk on thedeck. One day he may slip and fall over, and the necklace will besupposed to have perished with him."
"Oh, I understand," said Manoel.
"That is lucky at last."
"Only," replied Manoel, "for stealing diamonds one is simply sent to theBastile, but for murder one is hanged."
"But for stealing diamonds one may be taken; for a little push to M.Boehmer we should never even be suspected."
"Well, we will settle all this afterwards," said Beausire.
"At present let us conduct our business in style, so that they may say,'If he was not really ambassador, at least he seemed like one.'"
Le collier de la reine. English Page 31