"And the condition is that I give up the island?" I asked; and I began to think that perhaps I owed it to my companions to acquiesce in this proposal, however distasteful it might be to me.
"Yes," said Vlacho; "and there is one other small condition, which will not trouble you."
"And what's that? You're rich in conditions."
"You are lucky to be offered any. It is that you mind your own business."
"I came here for the purpose," I observed.
"And that you undertake, for yourself and your companions, on your word of honor, to speak not a word of what has passed in the island, or of the affairs of the Lord Constantine."
"And if I won't give my word?"
"The yacht is in our hands; Demetri and Spiro are our men; there will be no ship here for two months."
The fellow paused, smiling at me. I took the liberty of ending his period for him.
"And there is," I said, returning the smile, "as we know by now, a particularly sudden and fatal form of fever in the island."