'Assistance!' The old man flung his arms to heaven. 'Where shall I find assistants with the skill?'
'Here,' said Bellarion, and tapped his breast with his forefinger.
Amazed, Gobbo considered his visitor more searchingly. Bellarion leaned nearer, and lowered his voice to a tone of confidence.
'I'll be frank with you, Ser Gobbo. There is a lady of the palace, a lady of her highness ...' He completed his sentence, by roguishly closing an eye.
Gobbo's lean brown old face cracked across in a smile, as becomes an old artist who finds himself face to face with romance.
'You understand, I see,' said Bellarion, smiling in his turn. 'It is important that I should have a word with this lady. There are grave matters ... I'll not weary you with these and my own sad story. Perform a charitable act to your own profit.'
But Gobbo's face had grown serious. 'If it were discovered ...' he was beginning.
'It shall not be. That I promise you full confidently. And to compensate you ... five ducats.'
'Five ducats!' It was a great sum, and confirmed Master Gobbo in the impression made by Bellarion's appearance, dress, and manner, that here he dealt with a great lord. 'For five ducats ...' He broke off, and scratched his head.
Bellarion perceived that he must not be given time for thought.