"So we meet again, my guest," he said; "your leave-taking was somewhat abrupt. Will you shake hands?"
Yanni bristled like a collie dog, and looked sideways at him without speaking, but kept his hands stiff to his side.
"You vanished unexpectedly, just when I hoped to begin to know you better," continued Mehemet.
But Petrobey interfered sternly.
"You are not here, sir, to confer insults," he said.
Mehemet turned round slowly towards him with a face of sallow death.
"Surely my teeth are drawn, as far as the boy is concerned," he said; "but let me know one thing," he continued, "for I have a heavy wager about it. Did you bribe the porter, or did you get through the roof?"
"Through the roof," said Yanni, as stiff as a poker.
"I have lost. I said you bribed the porter. He shall come out of prison to-night and have poultices, for he was much beaten. Good-evening, gentlemen."
Yanni turned to Petrobey with blazing eyes.