“Hark to this philosopher! Ha! how can you leave this island again?”
“What! does Justinian intend to keep us prisoners?”
“Justinian will do what he thinks fit,” replied Caliphronas significantly. “You are both rich, and can pay large ransoms.”
“You scoundrel, you have been putting these brigand ideas into the old man’s head.”
Caliphronas laughed disagreeably.
“Perhaps I have. At all events, if you escape Justinian, you won’t get away so easily from Alcibiades.”
“You forget six sailors still survive,” said Maurice sternly, “and we are three, so I think nine Englishmen can hold their own against a hundred cowards like yourself.”
The Count made a clutch at his pistol, and muttered an execration, but, thinking better of it, recovered his temper, and burst out laughing.
“Well, well, we will see! I regret, Mr. Maurice, I did not bring a torch for this darkness, but you see I know this passage well, and do not require it. Had I known you three were coming, I would have brought men, torches, food, wine, and all the rest of it, to make you comfortable.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” retorted Maurice angrily, for the mocking tone of this scamp was intolerable; “but ‘Timeo Danaos.’”