During their journey, the two rogues invented and arranged, the most cunning and dexterous tricks.
They particularly made a study of a practice well known amongst Greeks, and called "le Service," which is neither more nor less, than a series of almost imperceptible signals.
The following is the way their scheme was carried out.
The two confederates bend their steps towards some watering place, which is known to be frequented by gamblers.
Raymond, "The Marquis," has the principal rôle allotted to him. He arrives; goes to the best hotel, and passes himself off as a rich young heir-presumptive, or an eldest son.
He is careful not to call himself a Russian prince, or an Englishman, as both these characters have been so often assumed by swindlers, that that fact alone would raise suspicion. Indeed, the names of Russian princes and rich English families, are now so well-known to the Greeks, that he could not, without danger, venture to create new names and titles for either of these countries.
At the table d'hôte of the hotel, Raymond, by his polite, easy, and elegant manners, wins golden opinions from the persons around him. After dinner, he joins his new friends, walks out with them, and afterwards goes with them to look on at the gambling-tables.
If he plays, it is with great caution and moderation. He generally contents himself with looking on, that is to say, he watches the play of his future victims, and never attempts a coup, until the arrival of his associate. He is sure not to be long after him, and selects an hotel as far as possible from that of his accomplice.
The two scamps, when they meet, feign not to know one another; they even affect to have no tastes in common.
Andréas walks up to the gambling-table with an air of indifference, makes one or two bets, as if he did not care much whether he won or lost, and refuses to take the cards, under the pretence that he does not know how to play.