On the contrary he supposed we meant to buy it again.
"The car's still worth fifteen hundred," said I. "Not counting the tax."
"Exactly," declared Guido eagerly. "We go up to five hundred, I suggest.
If we get it, I pay you three hundred cash on the spot."
"Can't do it," said I. "I've got a client for the car."
"In that case—" He wanted to make fresh proposals.
"It's no good." I walked across to the middle of the yard.
Up to twelve hundred hie had a free hand, I knew that now.
The auctioneer began to put up the things.
First the fittings.
They didn't fetch much.
The tools either.
Then came the cab.
The first offer was three hundred marks.
"Four hundred," said Guido.
"Four hundred and fifty," bid a chap in overalls after a long hesitation.
Guido went up to five hundred.
The auctioneer asked around.
The chap in overalls said nothing.
Guido winked at me and held up four fingers.
"Six hundred," said I.
Guido shook his head and went to seven hundred.
I bid further.
Guido followed desperately.
At a thousand he made imploring gestures and indicated with his finger that I might still earn one hundred.
He bid one thousand and ten.
By eleven hundred he was red and hostile, but still squeezed out eleven hundred and ten.
I went to eleven hundred and ninety,'expecting from him a bid of twelve hundred.
Then I meant to stop.
But Guido was now furious.
It annoyed him that, according to his reading, he was being squeezed out; and he suddenly offered thirteen hundred.
I calculated swiftly.
If he really intended to buy, he would certainly have stopped at twelve hundred.
Now he merely meant to drive me up, out of revenge.
He supposed from our conversation that fifteen hundred was my limit and saw. no' danger to himself.
"Thirteen hundred and ten," said I.
"Fourteen hundred" bid Guido swiftly.
"Fourteen hundred and ten," I replied hesitantly. I was afraid I might be left hanging. "Fourteen hundred and ninety!" Guido looked at me, triumphant and mocking.
He imagined he had salted my soup good and properly.
I fixed his eye and said nothing.
The auctioneer asked once, twice, then he raised the hammer.
The moment the car was knocked down to Guido his expression changed from triumph to utter amazement.
Completely at a loss, he came over to me.
"I thought you meant—"
"No," said I.
He recovered himself and scratched his head.
"Damn.
It won't be easy to persuade the firm.
Thought you would go to fifteen hundred.
Still—I have at least pinched the old bus from you this time."