Kortes, who would not obey Mouraki, obeyed me. Mouraki seemed to hesitate about mounting. I solved the difficulty by descending rapidly. I was smiling, and I took the Pasha by the arm, saying with a laugh:
“A THOUSAND PARDONS, MY LORD!”
‘Caught that time, I’m afraid, eh? Well, I meant to tell you soon.’
I had certainly succeeded in astonishing Mouraki this time. Kortes added to his wonder by springing nimbly up the ladder, and pulling it up after him.
‘I thought you were in bed,’ said I. ‘And when the cat’s away the mice will play, you know. Well, we’re caught!’
‘We?’ asked the Pasha.
‘Well, do you suppose I was alone? Is it the sort of night a man chooses to spend alone on a roof?’
‘Who was with you then?’ he asked, suspicion alive in his crafty eyes.
I took him by the arm and led him into the house, through the kitchen, till we reached the hall, when I said: