Though the heroic spirit of this speech went but a short way to deceive Atlee, who only read it as a plea for a higher price, it was his policy to seem to believe every word of it, and he looked a perfect picture of quiet conviction.
‘You little suspect what these letters are?’ said the Greek.
I believe I know: I rather think I have a catalogue of them and their contents,’ mildly hinted the other.
‘Ah! indeed, and are you prepared to vouch for the accuracy and completeness of your list?’
‘You must be aware it is only my lord himself can answer that question.’
‘Is there—in your enumeration—is there the letter about Crete? and the false news that deceived the Baron de Baude? Is there the note of my instructions to the Khedive? Is there—I’m sure there is not—any mention of the negotiation with Stephanotis Bey?’
‘I have seen Stephanotis myself; I have just come from him,’ said Atlee, grasping at the escape the name offered.
‘Ah, you know the old Paiikao?’
‘Intimately; we are, I hope, close friends; he was at Kulbash Pasha’s while I was there, and we had much talk together.’
‘And from him it was you learned that Spiridionides was Spiridion Kostalergi?’ said the Greek slowly.