"They say, 'He took his gun, his very great gun, and crept close to Stefanos.'
"'I put the muzzle to his ear, but he did not wake.'
"They say, 'He put the muzzle to his ear, but he did not wake.'
"'I shut my eyes and pull the triggers, for I am a great man, a very brave man.'
"They say, 'He shut his eyes and pulled the triggers, for he is a great, a very great man.'
"And that was the end of poor Stefanos. I did give the Greek priest some kicks," said Oscar, reminiscently. "Oh yes, many kicks, but they did not bring back poor Stefanos."
As Van Heidsteyn kicked an imaginary Greek priest, two shots rang out almost simultaneously, and a bullet buried itself harmlessly in the trunk of the tree.
"Sit still," said Van Heidsteyn, with a nonchalance I was far from feeling. "Sit still, unless you are afraid, O Little Yellow One. Tomasso will be here directly."
PRESENTLY TOMASSO APPEARED CARRYING A BUNDLE IN A HANDKERCHIEF.