“What kind of animal is that?” demanded Johannes.
“No animal at all, but a Roman gourmand, who, however, could not compare with you.”
“Laugh at me if you please, but sit down and eat. We can talk afterwards. I always find that I can reason better when I have satisfied the cravings of my stomach.”
The Swiss did not wait for a second invitation but fell to and enjoyed themselves to their hearts’ content. Not a word was spoken during the repast. There was nothing heard but the smacking of lips and the clatter of knives and forks. [[26]]
When the last bone had been picked and the feasters had wiped their greasy fingers, Johannes produced a box of tobacco. All three having filled their pipes, he began:
“Now out with your business; you mean to bolt, don’t you?”
Schlickeisen and Wienersdorf looked at each other interrogatively.
“We are quite safe here,” continued Johannes. “Nobody can hear us. Come, out with it. You want to be off. Where to? Perhaps I can assist you.”
The two Swiss exchanged a look of intelligence. After a while Wienersdorf said:
“Well, yes; we did talk of a plan to desert, but there is a wide distance between talking and doing.”