* I suppose,* he said, somewhat roughly, * that you want
my advice ? Well, then, my good friends, just remain quiet
and try to keep things as they are until we get the upper
hand. Du Poizat is going to resign, because, if he didn't, he
would be dismissed within a fortnight. As for you, Kahn,
you had better write to the Emperor and use all available
means to prevent the grant being obtained by the Western
Railway Company. You won't get it for yourseK at present,
but as long as it is not given to any one else, there is a
chance of your winning it later on.' Then, as the two men
nodded, he continued : ' WeU, that's all I can do for you. I
am down and you must give me time to pick myself up again.
