"Exactly.
But you would have fared badly.
You're gding to sell for seven, aren't you?"
I shrugged my shoulders in a noncommittal way.
"Why seven exactly?"
"Because that was your first price to me."
"You have a splendid memory," said I.
"For figures.
Only for figures.
Unfortunately.
Well, to come to a conclusion—you can have the car for the price."
He held out his hand and I seized it.
"Thank God for that," said I with relief, "the first stroke of business for long enough.
The Cadillac seems to bring us luck."
"Me too," said Blumenthal. "I've made five hundred on it, too, don't forget."
"That's so.
But tell me, why do you want to sell it again so soon actually?
Don't you like it?"
"Pure superstition," explained Blumenthal. "I never miss a deal by which I stand to make."
"Fine superstition," I replied.
He wagged his shining pate.
"You don't believe-it—well, it's right.
So that nothing shall go amiss with me—in other things.
To neglect a deal to-day is to tempt Providence.
And there's none of us can afford that."
At half-past four Gottfried Lenz, with a significant expression, placed an empty gin bottle on the table in front of me.
"I'd like you to fill it, baby. Free of charge.
You remember our bet?"
"I remember," said I. "But you come too soon."
Without a word Gottfried held his watch before my nose.
"Half-past four," said I. "Astronomical time, apparently.
After all anyone can be late.
I'll double the bet, two to one—"
"Accepted," announced Gottfried cheerfully. "Makes four bottles of gin gratis for me.
That's what is called heroism in a lost cause.
Honourable, baby, but mistaken."
"You wait."
I was far from being so confident as I made out.
On the contrary, I felt pretty certain now the baker would not come back.
I ought to have made sure of him this morning.
He was too unreliable.
As the siren of the spring-mattress factory opposite tooted five Gottfried silently placed three more empty gin bottles in front of me on the table.
Then he leaned against the window and stared at me.
"I'm thirsty," said he after a while with emphasis.
At that instant I heard the unmistakable rattle of a Ford engine out on the street, and immediately after the baker's car turned in at our entrance.
"If you are thirsty, my dear Gottfried," I replied with dignity, "just run along and buy the two bottles of rum I've.won with my bet.
You can have a pull gratis.
See-the baker out there?
Psychology, my boy.
And now clear away the empty gin bottles.