Page:Kéraban the Inflexible Part 1 (Jules Verne).djvu/92

94 "Come along, Van Mitten," said Kéraban, as he turned to the door.

"Monsieur, will you tell me—" said Ahmet to Van Mitten.

"What can I tell you?" asked the Dutchman, turning round suddenly, for he was following his host.

But Kéraban returned as he was at the door, and said, addressing the banker,—

"By the way, friend Selim, can you change me a few thousand piastres?"

"A few thousand piastres!" echoed Selim, who did not understand.

"Yes, Selim; for Russian money: I want some for my journey in Muscovite territory."

"But, uncle, will you tell us," began Ahmet, who was standing now beside Amasia,—"will you tell us—"

"At what rate is the exchange?" continued Kéraban, without paying any attention to Ahmet.

"Three and a half per cent.," replied Selim, in whom the banker at once predominated.

"What! three and a half!"

"Roubles are at a premium," replied Selim. "On the Exchange they are asking—"

"Look here, friend Selim, it must be three and a quarter for me: you understand—three and a quarter."

"Oh, yes—for you certainly, friend Kéraban—and without any commission at all."

Selim evidently had no longer any definite idea of what he was saying or doing.

All this time Yarhud at the end of the gallery was listening to what was going on very attentively. Would the issue be favourable or unfavourable to his projects?

Ahmet now seized his uncle by the arm, and, not without difficulty, succeeded in stopping him.

"Uncle," he said, "you have embraced us all just when you have arrived—"

"Just as I am about to go away, you mean," replied Kéraban.

"Well, be it so: I do not wish to contradict you. But at least tell me why you have come to Odessa."