"I tell you," he shouted, "I have no money."
"But you showed two bags of gold in the restaurant," said one of the men pressing in on him.
"Well, what if I did?" demanded Ivan. "That gold is not mine. It belongs to your king and I am taking it to him."
"A likely story," said one man in the crowd with a sneer. "You stole it some place. We want a share."
"Oh, you do?" said Ivan, and he broke into a loud laugh. "Well, you won't get it. First, however, I want to tell you again, that I did not steal the money and that it is not mine."
"Then why," said another of the crowd, "why did you dip into one of the bags to pay for a drink at the restaurant?"
"Why?" echoed Ivan in a loud voice. "I'll tell you. Because I was dry."
"But if the gold is not yours?"
For a moment Ivan appeared somewhat flustered. But he made answer after a moment.
"I am entitled to the price of a glass of wine for carrying this gold for the king. That's why."