Interrupted in the midst of his deliberations, Hadgi-Stavros gave his prisoners a cool reception. He did not offer even a glass of water to Mrs. Simons, and she had not yet breakfasted; she fully realized the omission of this courtesy. I took upon myself the part of speaker, and, in the Corfuan's absence, the King was forced to accept my services as intermediary. I said to him that after the disaster of the evening before he would be glad to learn Mrs. Simons' decision; that she would pay, with the briefest delay possible, her ransom and mine; that the funds would be turned over the next day, either to a banker in Athens, or to some other place which he would designate, in exchange for his receipt.
"I am much pleased," he said, "that these ladies have renounced the idea of calling the Greek army to their aid. Tell them that, for the second time, anything necessary for writing will be furnished them; but that they must not abuse my confidence! That they must not draw the soldiers here! At the sight of the very first soldier who appears on the mountain, I will cut off their heads. I swear it by the Virgin of the Megaspilion, who was carved by Saint Luke's own hand."
"Do not doubt! I give my word for these ladies and myself. Where do you wish to have the sum left?"
"At the National Bank of Greece. It is the only one which has not yet gone into bankruptcy."
"Have you a safe man to carry the letter?"
"I have the good old man! I will send to the convent for him. What time is it? Nine o'clock in the morning. The reverend gentleman has not yet drunk enough to become tipsy."
"The monk will do. When Mrs. Simons' brother has turned over the sum and taken your receipt, the monk will bring you the news."
"What receipt? Why a receipt? I have never given any. When you are at liberty you will readily see that you have paid me what you owe me."
"I think that a man like you ought to transact business according to European methods. In a good administration——"
"I transact business in my own way, and I am too old to change my methods!"