That's why I'm surprised he isn't in London.'
'What did he need a million for?'
'Debts,' answered Sampson Levi laconically.
'His own?'
'Certainly.'
'But he isn't thirty years of age?'
'What of that? He isn't the only European Prince who has run up a
million of debts in a dozen years. To a Prince the thing is as easy
as eating a sandwich.'
'And why has he taken this sudden resolution to liquidate them?'
'Because the Emperor and the lady's parents won't let him marry
till he has done so! And quite right, too! He's got to show a clean
sheet, or the Princess Anna of Eckstein-Schwartzburg will never
be Princess of Posen. Even now the Emperor has no idea how
much Prince Eugen's debts amount to. If he had - !'
'But would not the Emperor know of this proposed loan?'
'Not necessarily at once. It could be so managed. Twig?' Mr
Sampson Levi laughed. 'I've carried these little affairs through
before. After marriage it might be allowed to leak out. And you
know the Princess Anna's fortune is pretty big! Now, Mr Racksole,'
he added, abruptly changing his tone, 'where do you suppose
Prince Eugen has disappeared to? Because if he doesn't turn up
to-day he can't have that million. To-day is the last day.
To-morrow the money will be appropriated, elsewhere. Of course,
I'm not alone in this business, and my friends have something to
say.'
'You ask me where I think Prince Eugen has disappeared to?'
'I do.
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