French merchants suddenly burst into ecstasy, waving franc banknotes and elbowing foreign competitors aside.
Many British, Dutch, and Italian merchants watched the contract board with a mournful gaze, as sugar futures for a month later had already reached 2 francs and 1 sou, with the quote for three months later having soared to an astonishing 2 francs and 3 sous!
Weiger's eyes shone like those of a man trapped in the desert for half a month who had just spotted a water source.
However, the Dutch guilders in his hand could not be used to buy water...
Suddenly someone grabbed his arm and whispered in his ear, "Why are you still standing there dumbfounded?"
Weiger turned his head to see Van Schaeck.
"But I don't have..." he began.
The other man whispered in his ear, "Have you forgotten? Right downstairs is the Bank of France Reserve!"
"?"
"France operates on the gold standard."
