Page:Zangwill-King of schnorrers.djvu/40

26 26 THE KING OF SCHNORRERS.

CHAPTER II.

SHOWING HOW THE KING REIGNED.

When he realised that he had been turned into a fish- porter, the financier hastened up the steps so as to be at the Schnorrer's side when the door opened.

The livery-servant was visibly taken aback by the spectacle of their juxtaposition.

"This salmon to the cook ! " cried Grobstock desperately, handing him the bag.

Da Costa looked thunders, and was about to speak, but Grobstock's eye sought his in frantic appeal. " Wait a minute ; I will settle with you," he cried, congratulating himself on a phrase that would carry another meaning to Wilkinson's ears. He drew a breath of relief when the flunkey disappeared, and left them standing in the spacious hall with its statues and plants.

" Is this the way you steal my salmon, after all ? " demanded da Costa hotly.

" Hush, hush ! -I didn't mean to steal it ! I will pay you for it ! "

" I refuse to sell ! You coveted it from the first — you have broken the Tenth Commandment, even as these stone figures violate the Second. Your invitation to me to accom- pany you here at once was a mere trick. Now I understand why you were so eager."

" No, no, da Costa. Seeing that you placed the fish in my hands, I had no option but to give it to Wilkinson, because — because — " Grobstock would have had some difficulty in explaining, but Manasseh saved him the pain.

" You had to give my fish to Wilkinson ! " he interrupted.