238
DIAMONDS TO SIT ON
' Say fifty roubles. After all, it’s Government property, and I'm a sick man.’ ' All right. Win you take twenty ? You agree ? Now, now, I can see from your eyes that you’re willing * ‘ Agreement is the result of perfect accord between two parties.’ ‘ Well, when will you bring the chairs ? ’ ‘ You give me the money and I’ll give you the chairs.’ That s all right,’ said Bender, without thinking. ' Money in advance,’ Mechnikov announced suddenly, ' Money in the morning—chairs in the evening; or money in the evening—chairs the next morning.’ ‘ What about chairs to-day and the money to morrow ? ’ asked Bender. ‘ I may be a sick man, my dear fellow, but I can’t accept such terms.’ ‘ But,’ said Bender, * I shan’t get my money until to-morrow. It’s being sent by wire.’ Then we can discuss the matter to-morrow,’ said Mechnikov obstinately. ‘ Meanwhile, so long ! And may you spend a comfortable night at the spring ! I ve a great deal to do with my press, and I’ve no strength left. How can a man live on Narzan water ? * Mechnikov walked away and Bender looked at Hippolyte sternly. ‘ Time,’ he said, ‘ which we have, is money, but money we lack. Pussy. We must succeed. One hundred and fifty thousand roubles and nought nought copecks lie before us. We need only twenty roubles for the treasure to be ours. We must not dis dain any means whatsoever. Either we win or we lose.’ Bender walked round Hippolyte pensively. Take off your coat! ’ he said suddenly. Hippolyte handed him his coat and Bender immedi ately threw it on to the ground and began to tread on it with his dusty boots. What are you doing ? ’ screamed Hippolyte. ‘ I’ve
