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“Until tomorrow, then, see you at the notary’s,” he said, clinking glasses with them.

The next day, at exactly eight o’clock, a remarkably distinguished-looking mulatto received them in an air-conditioned room, furnished with clear but subtle taste. Distracted, he played with a huge signet ring on his left ring finger. Louis Normil had been sitting across from him for ten minutes and hadn’t once been able to make eye contact.

“I see,” he said, after listening to Normil, “you wish to sell land that once belonged to your father. You are currently in possession of papers that show you have the right to dispose of said property through an inter vivos transfer? Is that correct?”

“Yes. This land is situated on the Turgeau heights and is of untold value. In all, I have a dozen lots planted with fruit trees, at an estimated value of a thousand dollars each. This gentleman,” he said, indicating the Gorilla, “is the only one who didn’t balk at my asking price.”

“He’s an expert in these matters and is quite aware that you could get a lot more than that,” the notary added in a neutral tone, “but in times like these times, a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.”

The Gorilla cracked his long hairy fingers with growing impatience. He scowled at the notary and said:

“Get to it. I have no time to waste.”

“All is ready, Commandant, I’ve seen to everything in advance.”

The notary frowned slightly, put on his glasses and opened a folder.

The title of commandant, which the notary had slapped onto the little man, startled Louis Normil, who couldn’t help staring at the decorations hanging on his black shirt. The notary smiled at that and stubbornly kept his eyes down.

“And are there actually any buyers who are hesitant?” he asked without changing his expression.

The Gorilla took a wad of bills from his pocket and handed it to the notary. The latter counted them, and then held out the folder:

“Sign here, if you would, Commandant.”

The eleven other uniformed men were talking among themselves at the other end of the room.

“Gentlemen,” Louis Normil said as he got up, “I don’t mean to pressure you, but I swear you’re passing up a terrific opportunity to become property owners in one of the nicest parts of the country.”

They rushed over all at once, grumbling, put down their money and signed.

“There now, that’s done,” the notary said with a sigh of relief. “It’s all for the best. Gentlemen, you’ll come by again to pick up the deeds to your property.”

“That’s all?” the Gorilla asked, standing up abruptly.

“That’s all, Commandant,” replied the notary.

“Why not give us those papers right now?” one of the buyers asked shyly.

“Because, simply put, they are not ready,” the notary answered. “Come, come, gentlemen, let’s not be so suspicious. Look at how your own boss has every confidence in us.”

“Fall out!” cried the Gorilla, stiff as a post. The men in uniform stood at attention with their heads down. The notary then took the fat wad of bills and handed it to Louis Normil.

“Goodbye, sir, goodbye Commandant, always at your service, Commandant,” he said, carrying himself like an actor onstage.

Putting the money in his pocket, Louis Normil tried to make eye contact with the notary and saw that his amused and sardonic glance was now fixed on the Gorilla.

“Who is he?” Normil asked the Gorilla once they were outside.

“Oh! A great man, a most worthy gentleman. My father was once his servant. Now he is at my service. He has the reputation of never betraying a professional secret, and thanks to him I’ve closed quite a few deals.”

“Deals like this one?” Louis Normil asked with an innocent smile.

“Like this one,” the Gorilla answered cynically. “One has to make a living, right? But to go back to the notary, he’s a masterly fellow. Smart, very smart, and he knows where the bodies are buried. One of these days, I fear he’ll regret having been so accommodating.”

Louis Normil shuddered.

“Should I return the money