The man took it off with bad grace. The ring was immediately locked up in a small coffer full of jewels.
"I pardon thee!" said the King, "because of thy bad education. The people of thy country disgrace theft by mixing knavery with it. If I had only Ionians in my band, I would be obliged to place turnstiles in the roads as they do at the Exposition in London, so that I might count the visitors and the money. The next!"
He, who came forward now, was a tall young man, well-proportioned, and with a most pleasing face. His round eyes beamed forth rectitude and good-nature. His lips, half-opened with a pleasant smile, showed a magnificent set of teeth; I was greatly taken with him, and I said to myself that if he had been led astray by evil associations, he must surely return, some day, to the right path. My face must have pleased him, for he saluted me very politely, before seating himself in front of the King.
Hadgi-Stavros said to him: "What hast thou done, Vasile?"
"I reached Pigadia, yesterday evening, with my six men; it is the village of the Senator Zimbellis."
"Well!"
"Zimbellis was absent, as usual; but his relatives, his farmers, and his tenants were all at home, and in bed."
"Well!"
"I entered an inn; I awakened the landlord; I bought twenty-five bundles of straw, and for payment I killed him."
"Well!"