"I wish I were. No, it is only the result of logic, first, and the knowledge I have of you, secondly. When you put a young man like yourself before the picture displaying the ruin of his country, it is natural for him to feel obsessed by the desire to reconstruct the crumbled edifice. I fancy I could also guess the chief obstacle in your various lines of argument."
"I should not be surprised," I said, laughing.
"Was it not the choice of a ruler?"
"Yes."
"Well, I don't wonder that you were brought to a halt, it has puzzled me, too, a great deal; but we can discuss that on our journey. You have quite decided to go over the mountains?"
"Oh yes, if you are agreeable; it will be much more interesting and exciting."
"Very well, but we shall want a guide."
"The innkeeper will know of one, I'm sure."
"I'll ask him."
Our sleek host, looking more evil by daylight than I had anticipated, knew just the man for us, the perfect guide: a mountaineer, strong, honest, and intelligent, he would send for him at once.