The auction for the book "The Secret Garden" is over, and the bidding has reached a new high of over 100 million. The narrator is horrified by the high price. He wonders if Madame Tussaud and Mr. Dupuis are trying to buy the book for themselves, or if they're just trying to please the wealthy mask guests. He's also worried that they'll break the bidding rules and get the book they want. He wants to know what's going on, but he can't figure out who's paying the highest price for the auction. He says that the book belongs to the man who bought it, and that he'll accept the highest bid. He also says that he doesn't want to be a part of the family's downfall, so he's willing to sell the book to the rich mask men if they won't sell it to him.