Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Doron Tower Bank
In the city of Trieste, the usual "social events" are almost non-existent.There is very little contact between different races and disciples.Austrian officials at all levels of administrative agencies are ambitious and rush for high positions.Generally speaking, they are well-born, well-trained, and courteous people; but their meager treatment often makes them unsuitable for standing with great merchants and travelers.Since the wealthy families seldom receive guests and there are few official meetings, the wealth of the big businessmen and bankers makes them especially enviable—they drive through the streets in richly decorated carriages and horses, and in the theatre, their wives are dressed in silk and silk. Brocades, adorned with jewels and diamonds, flaunt their splendor in the Municipal Theater and in the boxes of Armonia.
At that time, the richest merchant in the city was the banker Silas Doronta.
Silas Doronta, the owner of the bank, was in his thirties and had accounts both inside and outside of Austria-Hungary.His wife is a few years younger than him.The couple owned a mansion on Via Akdoto.
People think that Duolong Tower is very rich, and it is not an exaggeration.He was daring and prospered in the stock exchange speculations, and had extensive dealings with the Austrian Mueder & Co. and other great companies, to which he lent large sums of money.Of course, he made a huge profit from it, so that the servants were numerous and the pomp was prominent.
However, as Saccani said to Zirona, Silas Dronta's banking business may be in trouble at the moment - at least for the time being.The Franco-Italian War seven years ago, and more recently the fiasco at the Battle of Sadowa, brought chaos to the banking industry and exchanges, leading to bad effects, and the major financial markets in Europe at the time, especially Vienna, Austria-Hungary, Pace, Trieste, and the collapse of state securities; together with the withdrawal of large sums from demand deposits, caused him serious difficulties.Of course, after this crisis, the credibility of the Doronta Bank has been restored.But if Saccani's claims are true, the latest risky speculation will destabilize his bank.
Silas Dronta had changed—in spirit at least—in the past few months.Although he is still very confident, his appearance is changing unconsciously.He is no longer as calm and composed as he used to be.A person who is good at observing words and expressions will find that he does not dare to look at others squarely as usual, but squints and squints at people.None of these bits and pieces escaped Mrs. Duolongta's eyes.She was weak and sickly, listless, obedient to her husband's wishes, and didn't know much about the business situation.
If his bank were to suffer a fatal blow, Duolongta would have to bear it alone, and the public would have no sympathy for him.Although he is in the city and has many customers all over the country, he has no confidant.His sense of superiority as a rich man and his innate vanity made him put on an air of condescension to everyone, and he was artificial everywhere, all of which were not flattering except that they did not harm the business relationship.Besides, the Triestes treated him like a stranger.Because of his origin, that is to say, he was born in Dalmatia.Fifteen years ago, he came here and laid the foundation of his fortune.But until now, he still has no relatives in the city.
Such was the case at the Dorado Bank at the time.However, despite Saccani's suspicions, rumors of serious difficulties for the wealthy banker could not be verified.At least the reputation of the bank has not been publicly damaged. Therefore, Earl Sandov did not hesitate to deposit the funds he raised in the Bank of Doronta. can be withdrawn at any time.
We might wonder why such a reputable bank should contact someone like Sarkani.However, not only did they have some kind of connection, but it started two or three years ago.
At the time, Silas Dronta was negotiating a number of major deals with the Tripoli Regency.Sarkani is a slick broker, especially shrewd in calculations.He mediated and facilitated the negotiation.It should be said that there are always clues in these activities, such as entertaining guests and giving gifts, bribery, and private commissions.The bankers were inconvenient to appear in public, and all were accepted by Sarkani; therefore, Sarkha turned himself into an agent of these treacherous activities.In addition to this negotiation, he also did some similar work for Duolongta.Taking this opportunity, Sarkani approached the banker, not so much as a door-to-door visit, but more like extorting money.In fact, after Saqani left Tripolitania, this kind of blackmail has not stopped.Duolong Tower did not fully satisfy his greedy desire, because in a series of illegal activities, he did not let Sakani grasp any handle.The situation of the banker is very delicate, and a simple sentence can often bring him great harm. Sakani is well aware of the mystery, and if he wants money, he goes to Duolongta.
Silas Dronta lent him money, and a considerable amount.Sakani spends money like water, like an adventurer with an uncertain future.As soon as the money is in hand, especially once it enters the casino, it is immediately squandered.So Saccani returned to Trieste and pestered the banker for money.He was ignorant and demanding, which made Duolongta very tired, and soon stopped all loans to him.Sarkani's threat was also withstood.The banker has reason to dare to do this, because the "fraudster" has to admit that he has no clue in his hands, so naturally he has nothing to do.Therefore, for a period of time, Sakani and his loyal partner Zirona had no financial resources, and they did not even have the travel expenses to make a living in other places.In order to get rid of them once and for all, Duolongta has just offered one last piece of funding.The money was enough for the two of them to leave Trieste and return to Sicily.There is a very powerful gang on the island, and its activities are rampant in the east and center of the island, which is formidable. Zirona is a member of the gang.Doronta hoped that Tripolitania's benefactor would never return, never to hear even his name.This time, as in many other things, the bankers were wrong again.
On the evening of May 18th, Duolongta sent two hundred florins together with a postscript to the inn where the two adventurers lived.
Six days later, on May 24, Sarkani visited again and asked for an interview.Unable to withstand his repeated requests, Duolongta finally agreed.
The banker was waiting in the office, and Sakkani closed the door carefully once he entered.
"You are here again!" Duolongta said loudly. "What's your business? I've sent you the last sum of money, enough to get you out of Trieste! Whatever you say or do, don't get me any more money! You Why don't you start now? With all due respect, I'll take steps to avoid your future troubles!—what do you think?"
Such a cold reception was as expected, Sarkani was very calm.His attitude was quite different from that of the past, and the rude and provocative words and deeds he had seen in the next few meetings were no longer there.He was not only poised, but serious.He approached a chair without asking to sit on it.Listen to the banker's sharp accusations, and wait for him to lose his temper before answering.
"Please tell me if you have something to say." Duolongta continued.He paced the room for a while, and sat down, but his anger had not subsided.
"I'll wait until you calm down." Sakani replied calmly, "No matter how long it takes, I will wait."
"It doesn't matter if I'm calm or not! Let me ask you one last time, what do you want from me?"
"Mr. Silas Doronta, there is a transaction I want to talk to you about." Sakani replied.
"I'm not interested in that, and I don't want to make any deals!" cried the banker. "You and I have nothing in common. I want you to leave Trieste today, go now, and never come back!"
"I intend to leave, but I don't want to leave until I pay your debt!"
"Pay off the debt?...Just you?...Pay off my debt?"
"Pay off the principal and interest together, not counting the benefit of the equal share..."
Sakani's words really surprised Duolongta, he shrugged:
"The money I paid you has already been included in the profit and loss account, and you don't need to pay it back. Now you and I are in balance, anyway, my life is better than yours!"
"I hope it's not your debtor!"
"I hope not to be your creditor!"
After finishing speaking, the two looked at each other.Then, Sarkani also shrugged:
"These words are all nonsense! I repeat, I have come to talk to you about a very serious matter."
"Seriously? Not necessarily?"
"Hey! It's not the first time, the second time, you ask me to help with it..."
"Stop it, it's all nonsense!" the banker shot back, countering his outrageous accusation.
"Please listen to me, just a few words."
"I hope so."
"If my suggestion is not to your liking, then we will stop here and I will leave immediately!"
"From here, or from Trieste?"
"Get out of here, and out of Trieste!"
"Leave tomorrow?"
"Leave tonight!"
"Then please tell me!"
"That's right," Sakani added, turning around, "are you sure our conversation won't be overheard?"
"Do you care about the secrecy of our meeting?" said the banker sarcastically.
"Yes, Mr. Duolongta, because the fate of some upper-class people will be in your hands!"
"Is it in your hands? I don't have the ability!"
"Judge! I am following a treason whose purpose I have not yet ascertained. Since the incident in the middle of Lombardy and the battle of Sadowa, all peoples outside Austria have taken the opportunity to oppose Austria. I have reason to believe that a movement is brewing in favor of the Hungarians, which we can take advantage of!"
"A rebellion has nothing to do with me..." Duolongta only answered this sentence.
"Not necessarily, maybe there is!"
"How can there be a law?"
"Report on them!"
"Can you tell me more about it?"
"Listen," Saccani said.
So he told the banker about the events at the ancient cemetery in Trieste, how he had caught a carrier pigeon, how he had copied the coded letter, and how he had found out the address of the addressee.He also said that for five days he and Zirona had been watching the house, or at least what was going on outside it.There are a few people who meet there every night, always those few people, and they are heavily guarded.Some homing pigeons flew out to the north, and others flew back from the north.An old servant guarded the gate, never leaving it easily, and carefully alerting passersby who approached, so that Saccani and his companions had to be cautious to avoid the notice of the porter.But they still worry about whether they have aroused the other's suspicion.
Duolongta began to listen to his narration more seriously.Since the old broker was an untrustworthy person, Duolongta wondered whether his words were true, what made him so enthusiastic about this matter, and what benefits he wanted to gain from it.
At the end of the narration, Sakani concluded that this involved an anti-government movement, and it would be profitable to spy on their conspiracy, but Duolongta only asked a few questions for a while:
"Where is this house?"
"Number 89, Akdoto Street."
"Who is the master?"
"A Hungarian nobleman."
"What is your name?"
"Lord Ladislas Zatmar."
"And who are the people who often visit him?"
"There are mainly two, both of Hungarian origin."
"one is?……"
"The professor in the city is called Etienne Bathory."
"What about the other one?"
"Count Matthias Sanddorf!"
Upon hearing the name, Duolongta was slightly startled, and Sakani saw it all.As for the names of the three people he mentioned just now, it took no effort at all.Sakani followed Professor Bathory back to his apartment on Stella Town Street, followed Count Sandov to the Delorme Hotel.
"You see, Monsieur Doronta," continued Saccani, "that I have given you these names without any doubt, and you must believe that I am not trying to deceive you!"
"That's not enough!" replied the banker.Clearly, he wanted to know more about the situation before joining.
"Not sure yet?" Sakani asked.
"Of course! You don't even have any evidence!"
"what is this?"
So Sarkani put a copy of the code letter into the hands of Duolongta.The banker looked left and right curiously.But in his view, these passwords have no meaning and are not as important as Sarkani said.If this matter aroused Duolongta's interest, it was because his client Sandov was involved.He worried that if the earl asked for immediate withdrawal, it would affect the development of banking business.
"Oh!" he finally said again. "I feel more and more confused."
"On the contrary, I think it's pretty clear," Saccani said.The attitude of the banker did not discourage him.
"Can you decipher the coded letter?"
"Not yet, Mr. Duolongta, but when the time comes, I will definitely decipher it!"
"What kind of deciphering?"
"Like many other things, I have done this kind of thing." Sarkani replied, "I have a lot of encrypted letters on hand. After repeated and in-depth research, I found that this letter is different. Its deciphering method, Instead of numbers or giving each letter a new meaning, it's based on regular letters. That's right! 's' is 's' and 'p' is 'p' in this letter, but the letters are in a certain order , can only be deciphered by using a special cipher grid puzzle and recombining it!"
We know Saccani has a point.This coded letter uses this cipher system, which makes coded letters more difficult to decipher.
"Perhaps," said the banker, "you have a point, and I do not deny it; but the letter cannot be deciphered without the combination square."
"Obviously."
"Then how do you get the combination grid?"
"I don't know yet, but please believe me, I will definitely get it!"
"Seriously, Sakani, if I were you, I wouldn't waste this effort!"
"Efforts are not in vain."
"But what's the good? I think it's better to report my suspicions to the Trieste police station and give them the coded letter."
"I'll report it, but I can't just rely on guesswork." Sakani replied coldly.
"Before the report, I want to get physical evidence. Facts speak louder than words! I want to manipulate this movement and firmly control it in my hands. Absolutely sure! If we get the benefits, we will share them equally! Huh! Who would have thought that, There is nothing more profitable than being in the ranks of the conspirators!"
For this kind of language, Duolongta is not surprised.He knew that Sarkani was smart, capable, scheming, and capable of anything.The reason why Sakani told him this without hesitation was because he understood that Duolongta's thoughts were fickle, and he could adapt to whatever happened.What's more, it's not a day since the two knew each other.Saccani believed that the banker had been in bad shape lately, but would he be able to prosper by offering him the secret of this unexpected treason and letting him take advantage of it?Sarkani pondered the question.
At this time, Doronta cautiously approached his old Tripolitanian broker.Saqani has discovered the mastermind of the anti-government insurgency, which he will soon believe.All this made him feel more and more suspicious because of the Zatmar house where the plot was being planned, the coded letters, and the huge sums that Count Sandov had deposited in his bank and was ready to withdraw at any time.Saccani's analysis of the situation is likely to be correct.But the banker was eager for a deeper understanding, to find out the details, and did not want to submit.So he said nonchalantly:
"When you decipher this coded letter,--if you can--you will find it a private matter, worthless, and you will gain nothing from it, and neither will I!"
"No!" Saccani was convinced, and shouted, "No! I'm sure this is a case of rebellion, and the leader has a high status. I said, Mr. Doronta, don't mistrust me anymore Already!"
"After all, what do you want me to do?" asked the banker.This time, he was straightforward.
Sarkani stood up, fixed his eyes on the banker, and lowered his voice:
"I want"—he emphasized these three words—"what I want is to find an excuse to break into Count Zatmar's house as soon as possible, and then gain his confidence. Once in his house, no one will recognize him. I, I will definitely get the cipher grid and decipher the cipher letter. With it, we can make a lot of money!"
"Our interests?" Duolongta repeated, "Why did you drag me into it?"
"Because this will not be done in vain, and you will get great benefits!"
"Cough! Why don't you do it alone?"
"No! I need your help!"
"Tell me about it!"
"In order to achieve my goal, I need time; in order to wait for an opportunity, I need money. But, I have no money!"
"You are clear, your account in our bank has been overdrawn!"
"Hold your hand high! You can set up another one!"
"Then what benefits can I get?"
"It goes like this: Of the three men I mentioned to you, two were very poor, Count Zatmar and Professor Bathory, while the remaining one was very rich. What he had in Transylvania The amount of property is staggering. Don't you know that if he is arrested and sentenced as a rebel, the property will be confiscated, most of which will belong to the informer!... You and me, Mr. Doronta, we Even split!"
Sakani shut up.The banker made no reply.He was thinking about what Sarkani had asked of him in the first place.He shouldn't be involved in this kind of incident, he shouldn't be this kind of person; however, he feels that his agent Sarkani can bear everything.If he is determined to participate in this murderous business, he will constrain and dominate Sarkani by drawing up an agreement, while hiding himself in the dark and not showing his face... However, he hesitates.do my best!If you accept it all, what risk will you take?He'll stay in the background and profit from this loathsome affair - a windfall that will rejuvenate his bank...
"Promise?" Sarkani asked.
"Oh! . . . no," replied Doronta.Such a partner, or accomplice, made him feel terrified.
"You refused?"
"Yes!...I refuse!...I don't believe your scheme will succeed!"
"Be careful, Duolong Tower," Sakani threatened loudly, aggressively, and this time, he showed no restraint.
"Be careful! Excuse me, what are you careful about?"
"Be careful of your details that I know..."
"Go away, Sakani!"
"I'll let you be honest..."
"Get out!"
At this moment, there was a light knock on the office door.Sakani hurried to the window, the door was opened, and the receptionist said loudly:
"Count Sandov asked to see Monsieur Dronta."
After finishing speaking, he backed out.
"Count Sandov?" Saccani called.
Let Sarkani witness the count's visit, which made the banker feel unhappy. On the other hand, he had a premonition that the count's unexpected visit would bring great trouble.
"Ah! What is Count Sandov doing here?" Sakani asked in a sarcastic tone. "It appears that you are connected with the plotters of the Zatmar family? So I have just spoken to one of them!"
"Say, are you going or not?"
"I'm not leaving, Duolongta, I want to know why the Earl came to your bank!"
After all, Sarkani walked into the small room adjacent to the office and closed the door behind him.
Silas Dronta was about to have him driven away when a sudden inspiration changed his mind.
"No, let him hear what the count is going to say!" murmured the banker.
He called the receptionist and ordered him to let the count in immediately.
It was in his character that Mathias Sandov walked into the office and gave the attentive Doronta a cold face.Then he sat down in the armchair which the receptionist had just moved forward.
"Monsieur Count," said the banker, "forgive me for not knowing that you were in Trieste, and not expecting your visit. It will be an honor at the Bank of Dorronta to see you again."
"Sir," replied the Count, "I am only one of your small customers, and I am not in business, as you know. However, at the present time my liquid funds are in your bank, and I owe you my thanks."
"Mr. Earl," Doronta said again, "I want to remind you that these funds are stored in our bank in the form of demand deposits, which will generate profits for you."
"I know, sir..." the count replied, "but, I repeat, I don't want to invest in your place, but to deposit it."
"I know, Monsieur Earl. However, the prices are high these days, just as your money is making a profit. The financial crisis has spread throughout the country, the domestic situation is full of difficulties, and commerce and trade are on the verge of paralysis. The big banks have collapsed, public credit has fallen sharply, and other banks are in panic. Can't last forever..."
"However, your bank is solid as a rock, and according to reliable sources, your bank is only slightly affected by this crisis?"
"Oh! Insignificant." Duolongta said extremely calmly. "The Adriatic sea guarantees our normal trade at sea. Neither Pest nor the Bank of Vienna have such conditions. Although we suffered a little loss in the crisis, we still have a good reputation and we can trust each other."
"I just want to congratulate you, sir. However, I would also like to ask if you have heard of any troubles at home in relation to this crisis?"
Although Earl Sandov asked the question as if nothing had happened, Duolongta paid close attention to the expression of the earl when he spoke, which probably had something to do with what Sakani had just told him.
"I don't know anything about it," replied the banker. "I haven't heard anything that the Austrian government is concerned about it. You may have reason to believe, Monsieur Count, that something will happen in the near future..."
"Nothing at all. I thought that in a big bank you were better informed than outside. That's why I asked. It's up to you to answer."
"I really haven't heard anything," Duolongta retorted. "Besides, I don't think there is any need to hide it when dealing with a customer like Mr. Earl. This is not good for our business!"
"Thank you, sir," replied the Count, "I agree with you that there is nothing to worry about at home or abroad. I shall therefore leave Trieste soon and return to Transylvania. There , I have something urgent to take care of."
"Oh, you want to go, Mr. Earl?" Duolongta asked hastily.
"Yes... in half a month at the latest."
"Surely you will return to Trieste?"
"I don't think so, sir. Before I leave, I want to clear up the outstanding accounts of Altenac Castle. The steward has sent me a lot of bills, ground rents, forestry income, and I have hardly time to check them. Will you Do me a favor by introducing me to an accountant, or assigning one of your clerks?"
"It couldn't be easier, Monsieur Count."
"It's very troublesome for you."
"When do you need this accountant?"
"The sooner the better."
"Where do you work?"
"At the house of my friend Count Zatmar. He lives at 89 Akhdutov Street."
"It's a deal."
"This work will be finished in about ten days. Once the accounts are settled, I will set off to return to Altenak Castle. Therefore, the funds stored in your bank can be withdrawn at any time."
Hearing this request, Duolong Tower couldn't help being startled, but the Earl didn't notice it at all.
Duolongta asked: "Mr. Earl, when should I pay you this money?"
"The eighth of next month."
"You have instant access."
With that, the count got up, and the banker walked him all the way to the entrance of the hall.When Duolongta returned to the office, Sakani was already there waiting for him.
"Within two days, I must enter Earl Zatmar's house as an accountant to work."
"Indeed, it is necessary." Duolongta replied.
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