"To the matter before us," Herr Ufer spoke in a pedantic and measured voice, "the contract you propose to the Bishop is a good one, but one which, if granted, would require more capitalization than you now possess." He moved in his chair, trying to make his large frame more comfortable. Herr Ufer was a man who enjoyed his comforts. "As you know, even with what is left of your wife's dowry, and the shares you possess in the railroad, you would still need another 10,000 guilders before your contractors would do business with you, especially with a possible war just around the corner."
"But ...."
Banker Ufer held up his hand for silence. "Do not try to tell me that you don't need such capitalization. That would be a mistake and diminish my respect for you. No, we must deal with reality, and the reality is, my friend, that you need a bank note of at least 12,000 guilders to make this contract certain. Now, where can you obtain an unsecured loan of that magnitude?"
Druer suddenly got the feeling he was going to be told the answer, and he was not wrong.
"Look no further, my friend, the Bundnis Bank of Prague would be happy to be of service to you." He held up his hand again to prevent Druer from thanking him. "But ..." There was always a 'but'. "But, since this would be an unsecured loan, much would depend on the favor of the Bishop. You are in the good graces of Bishop Schaffgotsche, aren't you?"
Druer assured him that indeed the Bishop and he had a satisfactory working relationship.
"That is good," banker Ufer nodded, "remember that. Do nothing to annoy the Bishop. Without his confidence the Bank could not possibly forward you the money you need. It is only because the Bishop might agree to this exclusive arrangement for you to supply the Brno diocese with wine, that the bank could possibly make this advancement."
Herr Druer could only agree, the message, bluntly delivered by the banker, could not be made more plain; keep the Bishop happy and you get the exclusive wine contract and the money to make it happen. Nothing overt was said about what would happen if Druer did not keep the Bishop happy, but then nothing that crude would ever be said in such august company.
When Monsignor Schrattenbach returned he found that his carefully laid plan had worked as well as he had expected. It was not for Druer to realize that in the hour before his arrival at the Bishop's Palace, the Vicar General had conducted a very agreeable conversation with the Brno banker about the need to move more diocesan funds into the Bundnis Bank. Some of those funds, it was agreed, should then be securely invested in solid Brno businessmen and worthy citizens who had unblemished reputations. The name of Herr Druer was used as an example.
Smiles accompanied the next few minutes of mutual congratulation, and Banker Ufer retired to the thanks of all parties. When he had gone Monsignor Schrattenbach returned to his guest.
"I will bring this proposal to the Bishop after evening prayers," he said to Druer, "Of course I cannot guarantee his answer, but I know what he thinks of you, and how grateful he is for your family's loan of Saint Hugh to our parish." He waited for Gustav Druer's reaction, and was not disappointed.
"The bones of St. Hugh?" the wine merchant said in a puzzled voice, "It was my father that donated them to St. Thomas' church."
"I know," Monsignor Schrattenbach agreed smoothly, "and that is what I want to talk to you about ...."